California 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

AB 265 — Elections: state and county voter information guides: judicial candidates.

Last action — From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  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 2019-2020 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis.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

The California Constitution provides that judges of the Supreme Court are elected at large and judges of courts of appeal are elected in their districts at general elections at the same time and places as the Governor. It also provides that judges of the superior court are elected in their counties at general elections except as otherwise necessary to meet the requirements of federal law. Under existing law, the Secretary of State is required to prepare a state voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by candidates for statewide elective offices and, if the ballot contains a question on the confirmation or retention of a justice of the Supreme Court, information on the justice. In addition, if the ballot contains a question as to the confirmation of a justice to the Supreme Court or a court of appeal, the state voter information guide must contain a written explanation of the electoral procedure for these justices. The Secretary of State is required to mail the state voter information guide to each voter, as specified, and make it available online along with additional information. Existing law also requires local elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by candidates for nonpartisan elective office. The local elections official is required to mail a county voter information guide to each voter in the county, as specified. In addition, if the local elections official permits the electronic distribution of candidate statements, each candidate for nonpartisan elective office may prepare a candidate statement to be posted on the internet website of the local elections official. This bill would require the Secretary of State, whenever the ballot contains a question as to the confirmation or retention of a justice of the Supreme Court or a court of appeal, to provide specified information about each justice in the state voter information guide. County elections officials would also be required to provide specified information about each candidate for judge of the superior court in the county voter information guide. The bill would grant the Secretary of State and county elections officials the discretion to only include the information regarding court of appeal justices and candidates for superior court judge in the online versions of the state and county voter information guides, as specified. By imposing additional duties on county elections officials, this 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, 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. From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. In committee: Held under submission.

  4. Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 1760.)

  5. In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  6. Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 1609.)

  7. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  8. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on APPR. Read second time and amended.

  9. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (March 27). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

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

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

  12. Referred to Com. on E. & R.

  13. From printer. May be heard in committee February 24.

  14. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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

Sponsors (1)

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.

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 265 do?
The California Constitution provides that judges of the Supreme Court are elected at large and judges of courts of appeal are elected in their districts at general elections at the same time and places as the Governor. It also provides that judges of the superior court are elected in their counties at general elections except as otherwise necessary to meet the requirements of federal law. Under existing law, the Secretary of State is required to prepare a state voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by candidates for statewide elective offices and, if the ballot contains a question on the confirmation or retention of a justice of the Supreme Court, information on the justice. In addition, if the ballot contains a question as to the confirmation of a justice to the Supreme Court or a court of appeal, the state voter information guide must contain a written explanation of the electoral procedure for these justices. The Secretary of State is required to mail the state voter information guide to each voter, as specified, and make it available online along with additional information. Existing law also requires local elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, voluntary statements by candidates for nonpartisan elective office. The local elections official is required to mail a county voter information guide to each voter in the county, as specified. In addition, if the local elections official permits the electronic distribution of candidate statements, each candidate for nonpartisan elective office may prepare a candidate statement to be posted on the internet website of the local elections official. This bill would require the Secretary of State, whenever the ballot contains a question as to the confirmation or retention of a justice of the Supreme Court or a court of appeal, to provide specified information about each justice in the state voter information guide. County elections officials would also be required to provide specified information about each candidate for judge of the superior court in the county voter information guide. The bill would grant the Secretary of State and county elections officials the discretion to only include the information regarding court of appeal justices and candidates for superior court judge in the online versions of the state and county voter information guides, as specified. By imposing additional duties on county elections officials, this 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, 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 265?
AB 265 is sponsored by Choi, Steven S. (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 265?
This bill died with 2019-2020 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 265?
Track AB 265 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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