California 2017-2018 Regular Session Status: In Committee

AB 2231 — California Voting Rights Act of 2001.

Last action — From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).

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

This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

(1) The California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) prohibits the use of an at-large election in a political subdivision if it would impair the ability of a protected class, as defined, to elect candidates of its choice or otherwise influence the outcome of an election. The CVRA provides that a violation of the act is established upon a showing of racially polarized voting, as defined. This bill would provide that a violation of the CVRA is established if the totality of the circumstances show that members of a protected class are not equally able to reasonably participate in the local political processes of the political subdivision because racially polarized voting occurs, as specified. The bill would require the party asserting the violation to demonstrate that three prescribed factors are met. (2) The CVRA requires a court that finds a violation of the CVRA to implement appropriate remedies, including the imposition of district-based elections, that are tailored to remedy the violation. This bill would provide that the political subdivision in which the violation occurs may also implement appropriate remedies, as specified. (3) The CVRA provides that a prevailing plaintiff party, other than the state or a political subdivision thereof, in a CVRA lawsuit may recover reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses, as specified. The CVRA prohibits prevailing defendant parties from recovering costs, unless the court finds the action to be frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation. This bill would instead allow any prevailing party, other than the state, to recover a reasonable attorney's fee and costs in a CVRA action.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).

  2. In committee: Set, second hearing. Failed passage.

  3. Re-referred to Com. on E. & R.

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

  5. In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  6. Re-referred to Com. on E. & R.

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

  8. Referred to Coms. on E. & R. and JUD.

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

  10. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

  • Brough · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 2 voted No

Sponsors (1)

  • Brough

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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

Subjects

civil-rights elections
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does AB 2231 do?
(1) The California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) prohibits the use of an at-large election in a political subdivision if it would impair the ability of a protected class, as defined, to elect candidates of its choice or otherwise influence the outcome of an election. The CVRA provides that a violation of the act is established upon a showing of racially polarized voting, as defined. This bill would provide that a violation of the CVRA is established if the totality of the circumstances show that members of a protected class are not equally able to reasonably participate in the local political processes of the political subdivision because racially polarized voting occurs, as specified. The bill would require the party asserting the violation to demonstrate that three prescribed factors are met. (2) The CVRA requires a court that finds a violation of the CVRA to implement appropriate remedies, including the imposition of district-based elections, that are tailored to remedy the violation. This bill would provide that the political subdivision in which the violation occurs may also implement appropriate remedies, as specified. (3) The CVRA provides that a prevailing plaintiff party, other than the state or a political subdivision thereof, in a CVRA lawsuit may recover reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses, as specified. The CVRA prohibits prevailing defendant parties from recovering costs, unless the court finds the action to be frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation. This bill would instead allow any prevailing party, other than the state, to recover a reasonable attorney's fee and costs in a CVRA action.
Who sponsors AB 2231?
AB 2231 is sponsored by Brough.
What is the current status of AB 2231?
This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track AB 2231?
Track AB 2231 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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