California 2021-2022 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 78 — Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign or political consultant activities.

Last action — Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

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

This bill died with 2021-2022 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis.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 Political Reform Act of 1974 requires a lobbyist to register with the Secretary of State and prohibits a lobbyist from engaging in certain activities. This bill would prohibit a lobbyist from serving as a paid campaign or political consultant to an elected state officer. This bill would prohibit a paid campaign or political consultant to any elected state officer from directly communicating on behalf of a client with any elected state officer, any employee of an elective state office, or any state agency for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action. The act makes a knowing or willful violation of its provisions a misdemeanor and subjects offenders to criminal penalties. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act's purposes upon a 23 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements. This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. March 15 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.

  3. Set for hearing March 15.

  4. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E. & C.A.

  5. Referred to Com. on E. & C.A.

  6. Read first time.

  7. From printer. May be acted upon on or after January 15.

  8. Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Sponsors

  • Nielsen · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Nielsen

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

Subjects

civil-rights elections
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 78 do?
The Political Reform Act of 1974 requires a lobbyist to register with the Secretary of State and prohibits a lobbyist from engaging in certain activities. This bill would prohibit a lobbyist from serving as a paid campaign or political consultant to an elected state officer. This bill would prohibit a paid campaign or political consultant to any elected state officer from directly communicating on behalf of a client with any elected state officer, any employee of an elective state office, or any state agency for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action. The act makes a knowing or willful violation of its provisions a misdemeanor and subjects offenders to criminal penalties. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act's purposes upon a 23 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements. This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
Who sponsors SB 78?
SB 78 is sponsored by Nielsen.
What is the current status of SB 78?
This bill died with 2021-2022 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 SB 78?
Track SB 78 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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