SB 858: Local Government Omnibus Act of 2025.

Official summary

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

(1)Existing law authorizes a county board of supervisors, by resolution, to authorize the use of a facsimile signature of the chairperson of the board on all papers, documents, or instruments requiring the signature of the chairperson, as provided, if certain requirements are met relating to the personal signature of the chairperson. Under existing law, if those requirements are met, the papers, documents, or instruments bearing the facsimile signature are accorded the same force and effect as though personally signed by the chairperson.

This bill would remove the requirement for that authorization to occur by resolution of the board. The bill would authorize the board, in addition to authorizing a facsimile signature, to authorize the use of an electronic or digital signature of the chairperson on all papers, documents, or instruments requiring the signature of the chairperson. Under the bill, a document bearing the electronic or digital signature of the chairperson would have the same force and effect as if personally signed by the chairperson.

Existing law also requires ordinances enacted by a county board of supervisors to be signed by the chairperson of the board and attested by the clerk. Existing law requires city ordinances passed by a city council to be signed by the mayor and attested by the city clerk. Existing law specifies that, when attesting to a digital signature, a county clerk or a city clerk may presume that the signature is genuine and attributable to the signatory if the digital signature complies with specified requirements.

This bill would additionally apply the above-described presumption to electronic signatures, as provided.

(2)Existing law authorizes a county board of supervisors to authorize the use of photographs, microphotographs, electronic data processing records, optical disks, or any other medium that is a trusted system and that does not permit additions, deletions, or changes to the original document, or photocopies of all records, books, and minutes of the board. Under existing law, if the documents are signed using a digital signature, the reproduced documents are considered authenticated if the reproduced documents are created by a trusted system, as defined in pertinent digital signature regulations.

This bill would provide that if the documents are signed using an electronic or digital signature, the reproduced documents are considered authenticated if the reproduced documents are created by a trusted system, as defined in pertinent digital signature regulations, or in compliance with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

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. October 1, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 242, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 1, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 5, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. August 29, 2025Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 2288.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 27, 2025Ordered to special consent calendar.
6. August 21, 2025In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
7. August 21, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 2706.) Ordered to the Senate.
8. August 18, 2025Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
9. July 17, 2025From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (July 16).
10. July 8, 2025From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
11. May 29, 2025Referred to Com. on L. GOV.
12. May 15, 2025In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.