Bill > SB398

This bill adds a new section to California's Elections Code that makes it a crime to pay or offer to pay money or other valuable consideration to someone with the intent to induce voting or voter registration, or where payment is contingent on voting or registration status. The bill defines "other valuable consideration" broadly, including lottery or prize-drawing opportunities, and establishes penalties of up to $10,000 in fines, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. However, the law includes specific exceptions for certain situations like providing transportation to voting locations, compensation from government entities, and granting employees time off to vote. The bill aims to prevent potential voter manipulation or vote buying by making such practices illegal, with significant legal consequences. Importantly, the bill includes a provision stating that no state reimbursement is required for local agencies because the act creates a new type of criminal offense, which is consistent with existing California constitutional and governmental procedures for handling new criminal statutes.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB398