Committee advances bill to increase sentencing aggravating factor for threats against election officials

Senator Adekine introduced SB 239, saying the bill "will authorize the court to consider as a factor in aggravation in sentencing a person for making criminal threats" against election officials and other local public officials.

Adekine told the committee the measure is intended to counter rising threats against election administrators and local elected officials and to protect democratic institutions. "SB 239 recognizes that threats against election officials and public officials at the local level are not just attacks on individuals," the senator said, describing the threats as attacks on public services Californians rely on.

Supporters included Ethan Nagler of the California Municipal Clerk's Association, who said the association appreciated the author's work and registered the group's support. Jack Werson spoke on behalf of the County of Monterey and also registered support. No principal opposition witnesses came forward during the hearing.

Procedure: Senator Caballero moved the bill out of committee; the clerk called the roll and the transcript records the measure as advanced out of the committee with a favorable roll‑call tally in the official record. The committee indicated it would take a final committee vote after a quorum was present and later recorded the committee action in the roll call.