AB 596: Elections: ballot disclosures.

Official summary

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

Under existing law, the ballot label for a statewide measure contains a condensed version of the ballot title and summary prepared by the Attorney General, including a fiscal impact summary prepared by the Legislative Analyst, followed by a listing of the names of the measure’s supporters and opponents. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to create an internet website or to use other available technology to consolidate information about each state ballot measure, including a list of the top 10 contributors supporting or opposing a measure, if compiled by the Fair Political Practices Commission.

This bill would require the 3 largest contributors of $100,000 or more to all committees that paid for the circulation of a statewide initiative or statewide referendum measure to also be printed on the ballot immediately following the names of the measure’s supporters and opponents. The Secretary of State would be required to make a copy of the top contributors available for public examination prior to printing that information on ballots, and voters would be authorized to seek a writ of mandate requiring the identified contributors to be amended or deleted. The bill would specify words and phrases that may be left out of a top contributor’s name in order to shorten the name when printed on the ballot.

The bill would apply its provisions only to proposed statewide initiative or statewide referendum measures for which the Attorney General delivers a circulating title and summary to the proponents on or after January 1, 2026. To the extent the bill would increase the duties of county elections officials relative to examining initiative and referendum petitions and printing ballots, it 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

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. September 13, 2025Motion to reconsider made by Assembly Member Ortega.
2. September 13, 2025Assembly refused to concur in Senate amendments. (Ayes 37. Noes 22. Page 3513.)
3. September 13, 2025Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 3477.)
4. September 13, 2025Joint Rules 61(a)(14) and 51(a)(4) suspended. (Ayes 59. Noes 20. Page 3413.)
5. September 13, 2025In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. September 12, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 26. Noes 9. Page 3004.).
7. September 12, 2025Senate Rule 29 suspended. (Page 2961.)
8. September 12, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
9. September 11, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 4. Noes 2.) (September 11).
10. September 10, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (September 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
11. September 9, 2025Joint Rules 61 and 62(a) suspended. (Ayes 30. Noes 9. Page 2731.)
12. September 9, 2025Re-referred to Com. on E. & C.A.