Bill Sponsor
California Assembly Bill 596
Session 20252026
Elections: ballot disclosures.
Active
Active
Passed Senate on Sep 12, 2025
Sponsor
First Action
Feb 13, 2025
Latest Action
Sep 13, 2025
Origin Chamber
Assembly
Type
Bill
Bill Number
596
State
California
Session
20252026
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Author
Assembly Votes (4)
Senate Votes (4)
Summary
Under existing law, the ballot label for a statewide measure contains a condensed version of the ballot title and summary prepared by the Attorney General, including a fiscal impact summary prepared by the Legislative Analyst, followed by a listing of the names of the measure's supporters and opponents. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to create an internet website or to use other available technology to consolidate information about each state ballot measure, including a list of the top 10 contributors supporting or opposing a measure, if compiled by the Fair Political Practices Commission. This bill would require the 3 largest contributors of $100,000 or more to all committees that paid for the circulation of a statewide initiative or statewide referendum measure to also be printed on the ballot immediately following the names of the measure's supporters and opponents. The Secretary of State would be required to make a copy of the top contributors available for public examination prior to printing that information on ballots, and voters would be authorized to seek a writ of mandate requiring the identified contributors to be amended or deleted. The bill would specify words and phrases that may be left out of a top contributor's name in order to shorten the name when printed on the ballot. The bill would apply its provisions only to proposed statewide initiative or statewide referendum measures for which the Attorney General delivers a circulating title and summary to the proponents on or after January 1, 2026. To the extent the bill would increase the duties of county elections officials relative to examining initiative and referendum petitions and printing ballots, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Documents (9)
09/13/2025
Assembly
Motion to reconsider made by Assembly Member Ortega.
09/13/2025
Assembly
Assembly refused to concur in Senate amendments. (Ayes 37. Noes 22. Page 3513.)
09/13/2025
Assembly
Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 3477.)
09/13/2025
Assembly
Joint Rules 61(a)(14) and 51(a)(4) suspended. (Ayes 59. Noes 20. Page 3413.)
09/13/2025
Assembly
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
09/12/2025
Senate
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 25. Noes 9.).
09/12/2025
Senate
Senate Rule 29 suspended.
09/12/2025
Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
09/11/2025
Senate
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 4. Noes 2.) (September 11).
09/10/2025
Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (September 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
09/09/2025
Senate
Joint Rules 61 and 62(a) suspended. (Ayes 29. Noes 9.)
09/09/2025
Senate
Re-referred to Com. on E. & C.A.
09/09/2025
Senate
Re-referred to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(C).
09/09/2025
Senate
Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
09/09/2025
Senate
Joint Rule 61(a)(13) suspended. (Ayes 27. Noes 8.)
06/24/2025
Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
06/23/2025
Senate
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
06/12/2025
Senate
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
06/11/2025
Senate
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 11).
05/28/2025
Senate
Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
04/29/2025
Senate
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
04/28/2025
Assembly
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 63. Noes 10. Page 1317.)
04/24/2025
Assembly
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
04/23/2025
Assembly
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (April 23).
03/19/2025
Assembly
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (March 19). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
03/11/2025
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.
03/10/2025
Assembly
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. & E. Read second time and amended.
02/24/2025
Assembly
Referred to Com. on L. & E.
02/14/2025
Assembly
From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.
02/13/2025
Assembly
Read first time. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Feb 14, 2025 5:53:41 AM
Record Updated
Oct 7, 2025 7:29:17 AM