SB-253
Justice & Public Safety

State Bar of California.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires the State Bar to notify applicants when artificial intelligence is used in bar exam questions or grading.
  • Mandates two years notice before making substantial changes to the bar examination format or vendor.
  • Caps annual attorney license fees at $400 for active members and $100 for inactive members through 2026.
  • Requires annual reports on how legal organizations use funds from attorney membership benefit programs.

Summary

Senator Umberg's legislation modifies California State Bar operations by revising examination procedures, licensing fees, and revenue distribution mechanisms. The bill exempts the Committee of Bar Examiners from Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act requirements while establishing new notification protocols for Bar Examination changes.

The legislation defines what constitutes substantial modifications to the Bar Examination, requiring two years' notice for changes such as switching multiple-choice question vendors from the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The Committee must provide 120 days' notice for alterations to testing software or materials and must disclose any use of artificial intelligence in creating or grading exam questions. The bill also mandates direct communication between the Committee and deans of accredited law schools.

For 2026, the measure maintains annual license fee caps at $400 for active attorneys and $100 for inactive attorneys. The bill restructures revenue distribution from attorney affinity programs, directing funds to the California Lawyers Association and California ChangeLawyers to support legal services projects, diversity initiatives, and access to justice programs. These organizations must submit annual legislative reports detailing fund usage and compliance with program restrictions.

Key Dates

Next Step
Assembly Floor
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Assembly Floor
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass as amended
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB253 Umberg
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Do pass
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 81 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 17
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jesse GabrielD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tasha Boerner HorvathD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Robert RivasD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Steve BennettD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mia BontaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
David AlvarezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Dawn AddisD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Joe PattersonR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Liz OrtegaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Pilar SchiavoD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Avelino ValenciaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Greg WallisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Patrick AhrensD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Anamarie FariasD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Maggy KrellD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Darshana PatelD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rhodesia RansomD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Celeste RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Michelle RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Chris RogersD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
David TangipaR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Stan EllisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Tom Umberg
Tom UmbergD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Diane Dixon
Diane DixonR
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/28/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 24, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120012PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires the State Bar to notify applicants when artificial intelligence is used in bar exam questions or grading.
  • Mandates two years notice before making substantial changes to the bar examination format or vendor.
  • Caps annual attorney license fees at $400 for active members and $100 for inactive members through 2026.
  • Requires annual reports on how legal organizations use funds from attorney membership benefit programs.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Tom Umberg
Tom UmbergD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Diane Dixon
Diane DixonR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Senator Umberg's legislation modifies California State Bar operations by revising examination procedures, licensing fees, and revenue distribution mechanisms. The bill exempts the Committee of Bar Examiners from Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act requirements while establishing new notification protocols for Bar Examination changes.

The legislation defines what constitutes substantial modifications to the Bar Examination, requiring two years' notice for changes such as switching multiple-choice question vendors from the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The Committee must provide 120 days' notice for alterations to testing software or materials and must disclose any use of artificial intelligence in creating or grading exam questions. The bill also mandates direct communication between the Committee and deans of accredited law schools.

For 2026, the measure maintains annual license fee caps at $400 for active attorneys and $100 for inactive attorneys. The bill restructures revenue distribution from attorney affinity programs, directing funds to the California Lawyers Association and California ChangeLawyers to support legal services projects, diversity initiatives, and access to justice programs. These organizations must submit annual legislative reports detailing fund usage and compliance with program restrictions.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/28/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Assembly Floor
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Assembly Floor
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass as amended
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB253 Umberg
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Do pass
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 24, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120012PASS

Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 81 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 17
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jesse GabrielD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tasha Boerner HorvathD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Robert RivasD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Steve BennettD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mia BontaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
David AlvarezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Dawn AddisD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Joe PattersonR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Liz OrtegaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Pilar SchiavoD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Avelino ValenciaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Greg WallisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Patrick AhrensD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Anamarie FariasD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Maggy KrellD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Darshana PatelD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Rhodesia RansomD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Celeste RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Michelle RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Chris RogersD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
David TangipaR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Floor Vote
Profile
Stan EllisR
Assemblymember
Floor Vote