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    AB-1370
    Government Operations

    State Legislature: nondisclosure agreements.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Prohibits state legislators from using nondisclosure agreements in the legislative process to increase transparency.
    • Voids all legislative nondisclosure agreements created after the bill takes effect.
    • Allows exceptions for agreements that only protect trade secrets and proprietary business information.
    • Establishes criminal penalties for legislators who violate these nondisclosure agreement restrictions.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Patterson's legislation prohibits California legislators from using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) during the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of proposed legislation, with limited exceptions for protecting trade secrets and proprietary information. The measure voids any legislative NDAs entered after its effective date and establishes criminal penalties for violations under the legislative code of ethics.

    The bill creates specific carve-outs allowing NDAs that exclusively protect trade secrets, financial details, or proprietary data. These exceptions apply only to legislators acting in their official capacity. The legislation defines key terms including "discussion" as communications aimed at legislative decision-making, "drafting" as developing bill language, and "negotiation" as communications between parties with opposing interests seeking legislative resolution.

    The bill's findings note that while NDAs serve legitimate purposes in private litigation, their use in legislative negotiations impedes government transparency. The findings also reference existing law prohibiting NDAs from concealing workplace misconduct, sexual harassment, or assault. By classifying violations as crimes under the legislative ethics code, the measure creates a state-mandated local program, though no state reimbursement is required for associated costs.

    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, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Senate Judiciary Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Judiciary Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Elections and Constitutional Amendments] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 1370 Patterson Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass. To Consent Calendar
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Assembly Elections Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Elections Hearing
    Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Laurie DaviesR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 17 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laurie DaviesR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Josh HooverR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Joe PattersonR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Greg WallisR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Carl DeMaioR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Alexandra MacedoR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    David TangipaR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    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

    Joe Patterson
    Joe PattersonR
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Authors
    Alexandra Macedo
    Alexandra MacedoR
    California State Assembly Member
    Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
    Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
    California State Senator
    Laurie Davies
    Laurie DaviesR
    California State Assembly Member
    Carl DeMaio
    Carl DeMaioR
    California State Assembly Member
    Diane Dixon
    Diane DixonR
    California State Assembly Member
    Josh Hoover
    Josh HooverR
    California State Assembly Member
    Kate Sanchez
    Kate SanchezR
    California State Assembly Member
    David Tangipa
    David TangipaR
    California State Assembly Member
    Greg Wallis
    Greg WallisR
    California State Assembly Member
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/23/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    July 15, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    5005PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Prohibits state legislators from using nondisclosure agreements in the legislative process to increase transparency.
    • Voids all legislative nondisclosure agreements created after the bill takes effect.
    • Allows exceptions for agreements that only protect trade secrets and proprietary business information.
    • Establishes criminal penalties for legislators who violate these nondisclosure agreement restrictions.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Joe Patterson
    Joe PattersonR
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Authors
    Alexandra Macedo
    Alexandra MacedoR
    California State Assembly Member
    Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
    Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
    California State Senator
    Laurie Davies
    Laurie DaviesR
    California State Assembly Member
    Carl DeMaio
    Carl DeMaioR
    California State Assembly Member
    Diane Dixon
    Diane DixonR
    California State Assembly Member
    Josh Hoover
    Josh HooverR
    California State Assembly Member
    Kate Sanchez
    Kate SanchezR
    California State Assembly Member
    David Tangipa
    David TangipaR
    California State Assembly Member
    Greg Wallis
    Greg WallisR
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Patterson's legislation prohibits California legislators from using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) during the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of proposed legislation, with limited exceptions for protecting trade secrets and proprietary information. The measure voids any legislative NDAs entered after its effective date and establishes criminal penalties for violations under the legislative code of ethics.

    The bill creates specific carve-outs allowing NDAs that exclusively protect trade secrets, financial details, or proprietary data. These exceptions apply only to legislators acting in their official capacity. The legislation defines key terms including "discussion" as communications aimed at legislative decision-making, "drafting" as developing bill language, and "negotiation" as communications between parties with opposing interests seeking legislative resolution.

    The bill's findings note that while NDAs serve legitimate purposes in private litigation, their use in legislative negotiations impedes government transparency. The findings also reference existing law prohibiting NDAs from concealing workplace misconduct, sexual harassment, or assault. By classifying violations as crimes under the legislative ethics code, the measure creates a state-mandated local program, though no state reimbursement is required for associated costs.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/23/2025)

    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, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Senate Judiciary Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Judiciary Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Elections and Constitutional Amendments] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 1370 Patterson Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass. To Consent Calendar
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Assembly Elections Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Elections Hearing
    Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    July 15, 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
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Laurie DaviesR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 17 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laurie DaviesR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Josh HooverR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Joe PattersonR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Greg WallisR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Carl DeMaioR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Alexandra MacedoR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    David TangipaR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member