California 20252026 Regular Session Status: Passed Assembly 1 D cosponsors

AB 596 — Elections: ballot disclosures.

Last action — Motion to reconsider made by Assembly Member Ortega.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Assembly. Introduced February 13, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 32% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Assembly

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    7 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

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.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

  2. Joint Rules 61(a)(14) and 51(a)(4) suspended. (Ayes 59. Noes 20. Page 3413.)

  3. Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 3477.)

  4. Assembly refused to concur in Senate amendments. (Ayes 37. Noes 22. Page 3513.)

  5. Motion to reconsider made by Assembly Member Ortega.

  6. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  7. Senate Rule 29 suspended. (Page 2961.)

  8. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 26. Noes 9. Page 3004.).

  9. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 4. Noes 2.) (September 11).

  10. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (September 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  11. Joint Rules 61 and 62(a) suspended. (Ayes 30. Noes 9. Page 2731.)

  12. Re-referred to Com. on E. & C.A.

  13. Re-referred to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(C).

  14. Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

  15. Joint Rule 61(a)(13) suspended. (Ayes 28. Noes 8. Page 2568.)

  16. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  17. From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.

  18. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  19. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 11).

  20. Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.

  21. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  22. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 63. Noes 10. Page 1317.)

  23. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  24. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (April 23).

  25. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (March 19). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  26. Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.

  27. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. & E. Read second time and amended.

  28. Referred to Com. on L. & E.

  29. From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.

  30. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 31 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 121 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

AB 596 ORTEGA Concurrence in Senate Amendments

Failed 37 Yea · 22 Nay · 21 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 371021
Republican 02000
Unaffiliated 0100
Total 3722021
% of votes cast 46%28%0%26%
How each member voted (80)
Member Party Vote
Ávila Farías — Nay
Addis, Dawn Democratic Not Voting
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Not Voting
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bennett, Steve Democratic Not Voting
Berman, Marc Democratic Not Voting
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Not Voting
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Not Voting
Garcia, Robert Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Not Voting
González, Mark Democratic Not Voting
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Not Voting
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Yea
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Not Voting
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Not Voting
Papan, Diane Democratic Not Voting
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Not Voting
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Nay
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Not Voting
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Not Voting
Ramos, James C. Democratic Yea
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Yea
Rivas, Robert Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Not Voting
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Not Voting
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Yea
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Not Voting
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Not Voting
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Not Voting
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Not Voting
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Nay
Castillo, Leticia Republican Nay
Chen, Phillip Republican Nay
Davies, Laurie Republican Nay
DeMaio, Carl Republican Nay
Dixon, Diane Republican Nay
Ellis, Stan Republican Nay
Flora, Heath Republican Nay
Gallagher, James Republican Nay
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Nay
Hadwick, Heather Republican Nay
Hoover, Josh Republican Nay
Johnson, Natasha Republican Nay
Lackey, Tom Republican Nay
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Nay
Patterson, Joe Republican Nay
Sanchez, Kate Republican Nay
Ta, Tri Republican Nay
Tangipa, David J. Republican Nay
Wallis, Greg Republican Nay

Official roll call →

2nd Reading AB596 Ortega By Cervantes

Passed 26 Yea · 9 Nay · 5 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 26103
Republican 0802
Total 26905
% of votes cast 65%23%0%13%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Yea
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Nay
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Not Voting
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Yea
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Limón, Monique Democratic Yea
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Not Voting
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Rubio, Susan Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Not Voting
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Nay
Choi, Steven S. Republican Not Voting
Dahle, Megan Republican Nay
Grove, Shannon Republican Nay
Jones, Brian W. Republican Nay
Niello, Roger W. Republican Nay
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Nay
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Nay
Strickland, Tony Republican Nay
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

AB 596 McKinnor Assembly Third Reading

Passed 63 Yea · 10 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 57002
Republican 51004
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 631006
% of votes cast 80%13%0%8%
How each member voted (79)
Member Party Vote
Ávila Farías — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bennett, Steve Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Yea
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Yea
Garcia, Robert Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Yea
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Papan, Diane Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Yea
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Yea
Ramos, James C. Democratic Yea
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Yea
Rivas, Robert Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Yea
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Not Voting
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Yea
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Not Voting
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Yea
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Nay
Chen, Phillip Republican Yea
Davies, Laurie Republican Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Nay
Dixon, Diane Republican Yea
Ellis, Stan Republican Not Voting
Flora, Heath Republican Not Voting
Gallagher, James Republican Nay
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Nay
Hadwick, Heather Republican Nay
Hoover, Josh Republican Nay
Lackey, Tom Republican Nay
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Nay
Patterson, Joe Republican Not Voting
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Nay
Tangipa, David J. Republican Nay
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass.

Passed 11 Yea · 2 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 11000
Republican 0202
Total 11202
% of votes cast 73%13%0%13%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Not Voting
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Nay
Tangipa, David J. Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety elections labor
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 596 do?
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.
Who sponsors AB 596?
AB 596 is sponsored by McKinnor, Tina (Democratic).
What is the current status of AB 596?
This bill has passed the Assembly. Introduced February 13, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track AB 596?
Track AB 596 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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