Bill Sponsor
California Assembly Bill 1539
Session 20252026
Presidential elections: qualifications for office.
Became Law
Became Law
Became Law on Sep 30, 2026
Sponsor
First Action
Jan 5, 2026
Latest Action
Sep 30, 2026
Origin Chamber
Assembly
Type
Bill
Bill Number
1539
State
California
Session
20252026
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Author
Democrat
Coauthor
Summary
The Twenty-Second Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the election of any person to the office of the President more than twice. Under existing state law, each qualified political party is required to notify the Secretary of State of the names of the party's nominees for President and Vice President on or before the 75th day before a presidential general election. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to cause the names of each party's nominees for President and Vice President to be placed upon the ballot for the election. This bill would require a representative of each qualified political party, and a representative of each independent presidential candidate or write-in presidential candidate, to certify to the Secretary of State, under penalty of perjury, that their nominees for President and Vice President are both qualified to be elected President under the Twenty-Second Amendment. If that certification is not made by the 75th day before the general election for the candidate of each qualified political party and an independent candidate, or by the 14th day before the general election for a write-in candidate, the bill would prohibit placing the names of those nominees for President and Vice President upon the ballot for the election. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Documents (9)
09/30/2026
California State Legislature
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 880, Statutes of 2026.
09/30/2026
California State Legislature
Approved by the Governor.
09/03/2026
California State Legislature
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
08/26/2026
Assembly
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6566.).
08/25/2026
Assembly
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
08/25/2026
Senate
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 8.).
08/18/2026
Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
08/17/2026
Senate
Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
08/13/2026
Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
08/13/2026
Senate
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 13).
08/10/2026
Senate
In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
07/29/2026
Senate
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
07/01/2026
Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
06/17/2026
Senate
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
06/16/2026
Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
06/03/2026
Senate
Referred to Coms. on E. & C.A. and PUB. S.
05/27/2026
Senate
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
05/26/2026
Assembly
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 0.)
05/19/2026
Assembly
Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading. (Page 5152.)
05/18/2026
Assembly
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
05/14/2026
Assembly
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 14).
04/15/2026
Assembly
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
04/06/2026
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
03/26/2026
Assembly
Read second time and amended.
03/25/2026
Assembly
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 25).
02/02/2026
Assembly
Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.
01/06/2026
Assembly
From printer. May be heard in committee February 5.
01/05/2026
Assembly
Read first time. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Jan 6, 2026 8:27:25 AM
Record Updated
Oct 1, 2026 1:23:47 PM