SB-858
Government Operations

Local Government Omnibus Act of 2025.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes electronic signatures for county board chairpersons, eliminating the need for resolution approval.
  • Extends the maximum maturity period for local agency commercial paper investments from 270 to 397 days.
  • Allows Kern County to appoint a registrar of voters separate from the county clerk.
  • Clarifies that appointed board members serve until their elected replacement is qualified and takes office.

Summary

The California Senate Local Government Committee has introduced comprehensive legislation to modernize administrative procedures and enhance operational flexibility for local governments across the state. The Local Government Omnibus Act of 2025 updates document authentication requirements, expands investment options, and refines board vacancy procedures for municipal agencies.

The legislation authorizes county boards to accept electronic signatures on official documents alongside traditional facsimile signatures, eliminating the previous requirement for board resolutions to approve signature methods. Documents using either signature type now carry equal legal weight as personally signed materials when authenticated through trusted systems or in compliance with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

For local agency investments, the bill extends the maximum maturity period for prime quality commercial paper from 270 to 397 days, while maintaining existing investment caps and eligibility criteria. The measure also adds Kern County to jurisdictions authorized to appoint a registrar of voters, separating these duties from the county clerk's office. For municipal utility districts, appointed board members now serve until their elected successors both qualify and take office following the next general election scheduled at least 90 days after the vacancy occurs.

The legislation combines several targeted updates to local government operations into a single measure, reflecting the bill authors' stated goal of promoting efficient governance while reducing legislative volume. The provisions maintain existing oversight mechanisms and investment safeguards while providing agencies additional operational tools and clarifying administrative procedures.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Local Government Hearing
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 13 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member

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 (5/15/2025)

Latest Voting History

May 15, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
340640PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes electronic signatures for county board chairpersons, eliminating the need for resolution approval.
  • Extends the maximum maturity period for local agency commercial paper investments from 270 to 397 days.
  • Allows Kern County to appoint a registrar of voters separate from the county clerk.
  • Clarifies that appointed board members serve until their elected replacement is qualified and takes office.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Summary

The California Senate Local Government Committee has introduced comprehensive legislation to modernize administrative procedures and enhance operational flexibility for local governments across the state. The Local Government Omnibus Act of 2025 updates document authentication requirements, expands investment options, and refines board vacancy procedures for municipal agencies.

The legislation authorizes county boards to accept electronic signatures on official documents alongside traditional facsimile signatures, eliminating the previous requirement for board resolutions to approve signature methods. Documents using either signature type now carry equal legal weight as personally signed materials when authenticated through trusted systems or in compliance with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

For local agency investments, the bill extends the maximum maturity period for prime quality commercial paper from 270 to 397 days, while maintaining existing investment caps and eligibility criteria. The measure also adds Kern County to jurisdictions authorized to appoint a registrar of voters, separating these duties from the county clerk's office. For municipal utility districts, appointed board members now serve until their elected successors both qualify and take office following the next general election scheduled at least 90 days after the vacancy occurs.

The legislation combines several targeted updates to local government operations into a single measure, reflecting the bill authors' stated goal of promoting efficient governance while reducing legislative volume. The provisions maintain existing oversight mechanisms and investment safeguards while providing agencies additional operational tools and clarifying administrative procedures.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/15/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Local Government Hearing
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

May 15, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
340640PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 13 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member