AB 1130: Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign disclosures.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Political Reform Act of 1974, requires a person paid by a committee to post content supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot measure on an internet website, web application, or digital application to include a disclaimer stating that they were paid by the committee in connection with the post, except as specified. Existing law requires the committee to notify the person paid to post the content of this requirement. Existing law authorizes the Fair Political Practices Commission to seek injunctive relief to compel compliance with this disclaimer requirement. Existing law exempts a person who violates the disclaimer requirement from administrative, civil, and criminal penalties established by the act.

This bill would remove the exemption for administrative, civil, and criminal penalties and instead provide that if the required disclaimer is not included, the person paid to post the content and the committee who paid them are jointly and severally liable for any administrative or civil penalties incurred for the violation. The bill would require the committee to inform the person that failure to include the disclaimer may result in penalties under the Political Reform Act of 1974. The bill would also require the committee to include a statement on their campaign report, as specified, that the payment was provided for a paid thirty-party post.

A violation of the Political Reform Act of 1974 is punishable as a misdemeanor. By creating a new crime under the act, the bill would establish 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.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 19, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 335, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 19, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 9, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 1 p.m.
4. August 30, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 6942.).
5. August 28, 2026From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (August 28).
6. August 26, 2026Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 6621.)
7. August 25, 2026Re-referred to Com. on ELECTIONS. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.
8. August 24, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9. August 24, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).
10. August 17, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
11. August 13, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
12. August 13, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).