Alex Lee
- Democratic
- Assemblymember
- District 24
Author
Existing law, the Political Reform Act of 1974, prohibits a public officer from expending, and a candidate from accepting, public moneys for the purpose of seeking elective office. This bill would permit a public officer or candidate to expend or accept public funds, as defined, for the purpose of seeking elective office unless the funds are earmarked by a state or local entity for education, transportation, or public safety. The bill would require candidates to abide by specified expenditure limits and meet strict criteria, as defined, to qualify for public funds, and it also would prohibit public funds from being used to pay legal defense fees or fines. The bill would prohibit a candidate receiving public funds from using those funds to repay personal loans to their campaign at any time. The bill would permit a statute, ordinance, or charter to establish standards to increase the expenditure limits for each qualified, voluntarily participating candidate pursuant to a specified formula. The bill would provide that the Fair Political Practices Commission is not responsible for administering or enforcing a system of public funding of candidates established by a local governmental agency. Existing law prohibits a foreign government or foreign principal, as defined, to make a contribution, expenditure, or independent expenditure in connection with the qualification or support of, or opposition to, any state or local ballot measure or in connection with the election of a candidate to state or local office. Under existing law, a person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine equal to the amount contributed or expended. This bill would specify that a person who violates the prohibition above is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be fined an amount at least equal to the amount contributed or expended but not exceeding a maximum amount of 3 times the amount contributed or expended. The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the act may be amended by a statute that becomes effective upon approval of the voters. This bill would require the Secretary of State to submit the provisions of the bill to the voters for approval at the November 3, 2026, statewide election, as specified.
In committee: Held under submission.
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (July 2).
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 59. Noes 18. Page 1965.)
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 18).
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Coauthors revised.
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (April 19). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ELECTIONS. Read second time and amended.
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on ELECTIONS. Read second time and amended.
From printer. May be heard in committee February 23.
Read first time. To print.
| Bill Text Versions | Format |
|---|---|
| AB270 | HTML |
| 01/23/23 - Introduced | |
| 03/23/23 - Amended Assembly | |
| 04/11/23 - Amended Assembly | |
| 07/03/24 - Amended Senate |
| Document | Format |
|---|---|
| 04/17/23- Assembly Elections | |
| 05/01/23- Assembly Appropriations | |
| 05/19/23- ASSEMBLY FLOOR ANALYSIS | |
| 07/01/24- Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments | |
| 08/02/24- Senate Appropriations |
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