Senators Limón and Cervantes, joined by a broad group of coauthors, advocate a measure that would require public, centralized transparency around state boards and commissions and the demographics of appointive leadership, applying to both gubernatorial and legislative appointments. The core changes would add two new requirements: publicly accessible lists detailing boards and commissions and their membership, and annual aggregate demographic reports about appointments, published in a manner that preserves anonymity. The measure does not authorize new appropriations.
For the Governor’s Office, the measure would require starting January 1, 2027 that the office maintain on its website a list of every state board or commission, along with each board’s membership list, stated purpose, duties, meeting frequency, an associated website, and any vacancies. Beginning January 31, 2028 and each January 31 thereafter, the office would publish an annual report containing aggregate demographic information about appointments made in the prior calendar year, to the extent available. The demographic data must be published in a way that does not disclose personal information and ensures anonymity, and must include a disclaimer noting that reporting is voluntary and may not reflect all appointments. “Demographic information” is defined as voluntarily self-reported ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, county of residence, party affiliation, and military service.
Regarding the legislative branch, the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the Assembly would, starting January 1, 2027, maintain on their websites a list of each board or commission over which each house has appointment authority, including membership, stated purpose, duties, meeting frequency, website, and vacancies. By January 31, 2028 and annually thereafter, each office would publish aggregate demographic information on its respective legislative appointments created by statute (excluding ex officio appointments), again with anonymity and a voluntary-reporting disclaimer. The same categories of demographic information apply, with “demographic information” defined in parallel to the Governor’s provision.
The measure specifies that aggregate data must be published in a prescribed manner that preserves anonymity and that the demographic information for legislative appointments excludes ex officio members. It also clarifies that the information may be incomplete where data are not available or self-reporting is not universal. In addition to noting the lack of an explicit enforcement mechanism, the bill indicates no new appropriation is required, while recognizing that an ongoing fiscal review would accompany implementation. The overall framework codifies public access to appointment structures and voluntary demographic data for both branches, presenting appointment information in a centralized, annual, and anonymized format.
![]() Mike GipsonD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Monique LimonD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Blanca RubioD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Sabrina CervantesD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Bob ArchuletaD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted |
Bill Number | Title | Introduced Date | Status | Link to Bill |
---|---|---|---|---|
SB-782 | Gubernatorial appointments: report. | February 2023 | Vetoed | |
SB-702 | Gubernatorial appointments: report. | February 2023 | Vetoed | |
Gubernatorial appointments: report. | February 2022 | Vetoed | ||
Gubernatorial appointments: report. | February 2021 | Vetoed |
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Senators Limón and Cervantes, joined by a broad group of coauthors, advocate a measure that would require public, centralized transparency around state boards and commissions and the demographics of appointive leadership, applying to both gubernatorial and legislative appointments. The core changes would add two new requirements: publicly accessible lists detailing boards and commissions and their membership, and annual aggregate demographic reports about appointments, published in a manner that preserves anonymity. The measure does not authorize new appropriations.
For the Governor’s Office, the measure would require starting January 1, 2027 that the office maintain on its website a list of every state board or commission, along with each board’s membership list, stated purpose, duties, meeting frequency, an associated website, and any vacancies. Beginning January 31, 2028 and each January 31 thereafter, the office would publish an annual report containing aggregate demographic information about appointments made in the prior calendar year, to the extent available. The demographic data must be published in a way that does not disclose personal information and ensures anonymity, and must include a disclaimer noting that reporting is voluntary and may not reflect all appointments. “Demographic information” is defined as voluntarily self-reported ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, county of residence, party affiliation, and military service.
Regarding the legislative branch, the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the Assembly would, starting January 1, 2027, maintain on their websites a list of each board or commission over which each house has appointment authority, including membership, stated purpose, duties, meeting frequency, website, and vacancies. By January 31, 2028 and annually thereafter, each office would publish aggregate demographic information on its respective legislative appointments created by statute (excluding ex officio appointments), again with anonymity and a voluntary-reporting disclaimer. The same categories of demographic information apply, with “demographic information” defined in parallel to the Governor’s provision.
The measure specifies that aggregate data must be published in a prescribed manner that preserves anonymity and that the demographic information for legislative appointments excludes ex officio members. It also clarifies that the information may be incomplete where data are not available or self-reporting is not universal. In addition to noting the lack of an explicit enforcement mechanism, the bill indicates no new appropriation is required, while recognizing that an ongoing fiscal review would accompany implementation. The overall framework codifies public access to appointment structures and voluntary demographic data for both branches, presenting appointment information in a centralized, annual, and anonymized format.
Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
40 | 0 | 0 | 40 | PASS |
![]() Mike GipsonD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Monique LimonD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Blanca RubioD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Sabrina CervantesD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Bob ArchuletaD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted |
Bill Number | Title | Introduced Date | Status | Link to Bill |
---|---|---|---|---|
SB-782 | Gubernatorial appointments: report. | February 2023 | Vetoed | |
SB-702 | Gubernatorial appointments: report. | February 2023 | Vetoed | |
Gubernatorial appointments: report. | February 2022 | Vetoed | ||
Gubernatorial appointments: report. | February 2021 | Vetoed |