AB 2784: State Bar of California.

Official summary

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

Existing law, the State Bar Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of attorneys by the State Bar of California, a public corporation governed by a board of trustees. Existing law requires the State Bar Court to order the involuntary inactive enrollment of a licensee whose default has been entered pursuant to the State Bar Rules of Procedure, as specified, if a notice containing certain language is duly served on the licensee.

This bill would include findings and declarations by the Legislature relating to the history, governance, and responsibilities of the State Bar, and would specify that these provisions, and other provisions relating to the State Bar, are declaratory of existing law. The bill would delete the requirement that the notice contain certain language and would instead require the notice to contain specified provisions in clear, easily understandable language, in at least 12-point font, and in capital letters. The bill would preclude specified provisions of law relating to the State Bar from being construed to affect or alter the status of the State Bar, as described.

Existing law subjects the State Bar and its meetings to the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act and provides that the State Bar may hold closed session meetings for various purposes, including, among other things, matters relating to the Committee of Bar Examiners’ consideration of moral character.

This bill would expand the permissible grounds for a closed session meeting to include, among other things, the Committee of Bar Examiners’ consideration of any matter that would disclose certain confidential information.

Existing law requires the State Bar to collect, in conjunction with collection of its annual license fees, membership fees for the California Lawyers Association (CLA) if the Board of Trustees of the State Bar makes specified determinations.

This bill would, until January 1, 2030, permit the State Bar to continue to collect fees for the CLA, provided that the Board of Trustees of the State Bar makes those specified determinations. The bill would also permit the State Bar, until January 1, 2030, to assist the CLA in transitioning to collect its own membership fees, provided that the CLA reimburses the State Bar for the costs of this assistance.

Sponsors

“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 27, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 641, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 10, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. August 30, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6940.).
5. August 30, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. August 30, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).
7. August 30, 2026Ordered to special consent calendar.
8. June 25, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered to third reading.
9. June 24, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 23).
10. June 11, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.
11. May 20, 2026Referred to Com. on JUD.
12. May 12, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.