SB-737
Government Operations

Validations.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Validates the legal status and past actions of all California public agencies and local government bodies.
  • Confirms the legitimacy of previously issued government bonds and financial obligations.
  • Establishes a six-month deadline to challenge the validity of any validated government actions.
  • Excludes validation of contracts between public bodies and the federal government.

Summary

The California Senate Committee on Local Government proposes comprehensive validation of public bodies' organization, boundaries, and financial instruments through the Third Validating Act of 2025. This legislation affirms the legal status of existing state and local government entities while establishing parameters for challenging their authority.

The act encompasses validation for nearly all categories of public bodies in California, from state agencies to special districts, confirming their organizational structure, geographic boundaries, and past administrative actions. Notable exclusions include community redevelopment agencies and certain joint powers authorities. The legislation specifically validates previously issued bonds and other financial instruments, declaring them legally binding obligations of the issuing entities.

To prevent prolonged uncertainty, the act implements a six-month window following its effective date for legal challenges to validated actions. After this period, validated matters become legally incontestable unless barred by existing statutes of limitations. The legislation maintains constitutional boundaries by limiting validations to actions permissible under state and federal constitutions, while excluding matters currently under legal dispute or previously ruled invalid.

The act preserves existing requirements for assessment and taxation purposes, stipulating that boundary changes or entity creation remain contingent on proper filing of documentation under the Government Code. This maintains established procedures for tax administration while providing the broader validation framework for public entities' operations and authority.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 447
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Consent Calendar 2nd SB737 L. GOV. (Durazo)
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Local Government Hearing
Do pass and be ordered to the Consent Calendar
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 9 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
SB-736
Validations.
February 2025
Engrossed
SB-735
Validations.
February 2025
Engrossed
SB-1515
Validations.
February 2024
Passed
SB-1516
Validations.
February 2024
Passed
SB-1517
Validations.
February 2024
Passed
SB-878
Validations.
February 2023
Passed
SB-879
Validations.
February 2023
Passed
SB-880
Validations.
February 2023
Passed
Validations.
February 2022
Passed
Validations.
February 2022
Passed
Showing 10 of 47 items
Page 1 of 5

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (4/10/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 10, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
350540PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Validates the legal status and past actions of all California public agencies and local government bodies.
  • Confirms the legitimacy of previously issued government bonds and financial obligations.
  • Establishes a six-month deadline to challenge the validity of any validated government actions.
  • Excludes validation of contracts between public bodies and the federal government.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Summary

The California Senate Committee on Local Government proposes comprehensive validation of public bodies' organization, boundaries, and financial instruments through the Third Validating Act of 2025. This legislation affirms the legal status of existing state and local government entities while establishing parameters for challenging their authority.

The act encompasses validation for nearly all categories of public bodies in California, from state agencies to special districts, confirming their organizational structure, geographic boundaries, and past administrative actions. Notable exclusions include community redevelopment agencies and certain joint powers authorities. The legislation specifically validates previously issued bonds and other financial instruments, declaring them legally binding obligations of the issuing entities.

To prevent prolonged uncertainty, the act implements a six-month window following its effective date for legal challenges to validated actions. After this period, validated matters become legally incontestable unless barred by existing statutes of limitations. The legislation maintains constitutional boundaries by limiting validations to actions permissible under state and federal constitutions, while excluding matters currently under legal dispute or previously ruled invalid.

The act preserves existing requirements for assessment and taxation purposes, stipulating that boundary changes or entity creation remain contingent on proper filing of documentation under the Government Code. This maintains established procedures for tax administration while providing the broader validation framework for public entities' operations and authority.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (4/10/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 447
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Consent Calendar 2nd SB737 L. GOV. (Durazo)
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Local Government Hearing
Do pass and be ordered to the Consent Calendar
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 10, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
350540PASS

Contacts

Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 9 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
SB-736
Validations.
February 2025
Engrossed
SB-735
Validations.
February 2025
Engrossed
SB-1515
Validations.
February 2024
Passed
SB-1516
Validations.
February 2024
Passed
SB-1517
Validations.
February 2024
Passed
SB-878
Validations.
February 2023
Passed
SB-879
Validations.
February 2023
Passed
SB-880
Validations.
February 2023
Passed
Validations.
February 2022
Passed
Validations.
February 2022
Passed
Showing 10 of 47 items
Page 1 of 5