AB-359
Government Operations

Fair Political Practices Commission.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands the Fair Political Practices Commission's authority to audit local campaign finance and ethics laws.
  • Removes the January 2026 expiration date for FPPC oversight of local campaign finance laws.
  • Requires local governments to reimburse the FPPC for costs of enforcing their campaign finance laws.
  • Excludes jurisdictions with populations over 3 million from FPPC oversight programs.

Summary

Assembly Member Ramos proposes expanding the Fair Political Practices Commission's (FPPC) authority over local campaign finance and government ethics laws by adding audit powers and removing the current January 2026 sunset date. The legislation would allow the FPPC to continue entering agreements with local government agencies to oversee their campaign finance and ethics regulations, while adding auditing capabilities to its existing powers of investigation, civil enforcement, and advisory services.

The bill modifies the agreement framework between the FPPC and local agencies by requiring Department of General Services review of cost reimbursement terms and maintaining the 90-day standard termination notice. Local agencies must consult with the FPPC before modifying relevant laws, and the FPPC must publicly list all jurisdictions with active agreements on its website. The provisions exclude jurisdictions with populations over 3 million, and the bill removes separate provisions specific to San Bernardino County.

These changes would create a permanent structure for FPPC oversight of local campaign finance and ethics laws when requested by local agencies, replacing the current temporary program set to expire in 2026. The bill eliminates requirements for the FPPC to report to the Legislature about agreement performance while preserving core elements like mutual agreement requirements and cost reimbursement provisions.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 359 Ramos Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Elections Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

James Ramos
James RamosD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 1, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5005PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands the Fair Political Practices Commission's authority to audit local campaign finance and ethics laws.
  • Removes the January 2026 expiration date for FPPC oversight of local campaign finance laws.
  • Requires local governments to reimburse the FPPC for costs of enforcing their campaign finance laws.
  • Excludes jurisdictions with populations over 3 million from FPPC oversight programs.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

James Ramos
James RamosD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Ramos proposes expanding the Fair Political Practices Commission's (FPPC) authority over local campaign finance and government ethics laws by adding audit powers and removing the current January 2026 sunset date. The legislation would allow the FPPC to continue entering agreements with local government agencies to oversee their campaign finance and ethics regulations, while adding auditing capabilities to its existing powers of investigation, civil enforcement, and advisory services.

The bill modifies the agreement framework between the FPPC and local agencies by requiring Department of General Services review of cost reimbursement terms and maintaining the 90-day standard termination notice. Local agencies must consult with the FPPC before modifying relevant laws, and the FPPC must publicly list all jurisdictions with active agreements on its website. The provisions exclude jurisdictions with populations over 3 million, and the bill removes separate provisions specific to San Bernardino County.

These changes would create a permanent structure for FPPC oversight of local campaign finance and ethics laws when requested by local agencies, replacing the current temporary program set to expire in 2026. The bill eliminates requirements for the FPPC to report to the Legislature about agreement performance while preserving core elements like mutual agreement requirements and cost reimbursement provisions.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 359 Ramos Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Elections Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Elections Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 1, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5005PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member