California 2021-2022 Regular Session Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

AB 40 — Political Reform Act of 1974: slate mailers.

Last action — Died on inactive file.

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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 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis.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 regulates mass mailings, known as slate mailers, that support or oppose multiple candidates or ballot measures for an election. The act requires that each slate mailer identify the slate mailer organization or committee primarily formed to support or oppose one or more ballot measures that is sending the slate mailer, and to contain other specified information in specified formatting. The act requires that each candidate and each ballot measure that has paid to appear in the slate mailer be designated by an asterisk. The act limits the required type size of the asterisk to no more than 10-point boldface type. If a slate mailer organization appears to be affiliated with or represent any organization, group, or class of individuals, as defined, this bill would require the slate mailer to disclose the number of members the slate mailer organization or committee represents from that organization, group, or class, based on specified criteria. The bill would also require the total amount paid to appear on the slate mailer to be disclosed for each candidate and ballot measure that is required to be designated by an asterisk, immediately below the name or ballot measure, in no less than 9-point roman type and in a color or print that contrasts with the background so as to be easily legible. The bill would also delete the provision limiting the required type size of the asterisk to no more than 10-point boldface type. 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. Died on inactive file.

  2. Ordered to inactive file at the request of Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez.

  3. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  4. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 28).

  5. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (April 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  6. Re-referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.

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

  8. Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.

  9. From printer. May be heard in committee January 7.

  10. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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

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.

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

Do pass.

Passed 12 Yea · 0 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 7001
Democratic 5001
Republican 0002
Total 12004
% of votes cast 75%0%0%25%
How each member voted (16)
Member Party Vote
Levine — Yea
Bloom — Yea
Quirk — Yea
Nazarian — Yea
Chau — Yea
Bigelow — Not Voting
Eduardo Garcia — Yea
Lorena Gonzalez — Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Not Voting
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Rivas, Robert Democratic Yea
Dahle, Megan Republican Not Voting
Davies, Laurie Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

elections
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 40 do?
The Political Reform Act of 1974 regulates mass mailings, known as slate mailers, that support or oppose multiple candidates or ballot measures for an election. The act requires that each slate mailer identify the slate mailer organization or committee primarily formed to support or oppose one or more ballot measures that is sending the slate mailer, and to contain other specified information in specified formatting. The act requires that each candidate and each ballot measure that has paid to appear in the slate mailer be designated by an asterisk. The act limits the required type size of the asterisk to no more than 10-point boldface type. If a slate mailer organization appears to be affiliated with or represent any organization, group, or class of individuals, as defined, this bill would require the slate mailer to disclose the number of members the slate mailer organization or committee represents from that organization, group, or class, based on specified criteria. The bill would also require the total amount paid to appear on the slate mailer to be disclosed for each candidate and ballot measure that is required to be designated by an asterisk, immediately below the name or ballot measure, in no less than 9-point roman type and in a color or print that contrasts with the background so as to be easily legible. The bill would also delete the provision limiting the required type size of the asterisk to no more than 10-point boldface type. 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 AB 40?
AB 40 is sponsored by Gonzalez, Jeff (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 40?
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 AB 40?
Track AB 40 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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