AB 953: Political Reform Act of 1974: contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals.

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 provides for the comprehensive regulation of political campaigns, lobbying, and other matters relating to governmental ethics and elections. The act prohibits a foreign government or foreign principal from making any contribution, expenditure, or independent expenditure in connection with the qualification or support of, or opposition to, a state or local ballot measure or an election for a state or local office. The act prohibits a person or committee from soliciting or accepting a contribution from a foreign government or foreign principal for the same purposes. The act makes a violation of these prohibitions a misdemeanor.

This bill would expand the prohibitions described above to apply to foreign nationals. The bill would define “foreign national” as a person who is not a citizen of the United States and who is not a lawfully admitted permanent resident. The bill would exclude from this definition a person who has been granted deferred action, and whose deferred action has not expired, under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, as described in guidelines issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

By expanding the scope of an existing crime, the 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.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1 · Republican 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 1, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 170, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 1, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 16, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. September 9, 2025Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3115.).
5. September 8, 2025In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. September 8, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2608.).
7. July 17, 2025Ordered to third reading.
8. July 17, 2025From Consent Calendar.
9. July 15, 2025Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
10. July 14, 2025From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.
11. July 2, 2025Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
12. 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).