AB 359: Fair Political Practices Commission.

Official summary

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

The Political Reform Act of 1974 permits the Fair Political Practices Commission, upon mutual agreement between the commission and the governing body of a local government agency, to assume primary responsibility for the administration, implementation, and enforcement of a local campaign finance or government ethics law passed by the local government agency. The act authorizes the commission with respect to the local campaign finance or government ethics law to, among other things, provide advice, investigate possible violations, and bring civil actions. If such an agreement is executed, the act further requires the commission to report to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2025 with specified information, including legislative recommendations, regarding the performance of the agreement. Existing law repeals these provisions on January 1, 2026. The act authorizes the commission to enter into a similar agreement with the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Bernardino.

This bill would additionally authorize the commission to conduct audits with respect to the local campaign finance or government ethics law. The bill would delete the requirement for the commission to report to the Legislature and remove the January 1, 2026 repeal date, thereby indefinitely extending the operation of the provisions described above. The bill would repeal the provisions pertaining to the County of San Bernardino.

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.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“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. October 3, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 257, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 3, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 2, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. August 25, 2025Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 2722.).
5. July 17, 2025In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. July 17, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 35. Noes 0. Page 2137.).
7. July 15, 2025Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
8. July 14, 2025From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.
9. July 2, 2025Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. July 1, 2025From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (July 1).
11. June 11, 2025Referred to Com. on E. & C.A.
12. June 3, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.