Bill > SB702

This bill requires the Governor's office and the California Legislature to enhance transparency around state board and commission appointments by implementing new reporting requirements starting January 1, 2027. Specifically, the Governor's office must maintain a detailed online list of all state boards and commissions, including their membership, purpose, duties, meeting frequency, website, and current vacancies. Additionally, the Governor's office must publish an annual report by January 31st each year containing aggregate demographic information about appointments made in the previous calendar year. This demographic information—which is voluntarily self-reported—can include details such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, county of residence, party affiliation, and military service. Similarly, the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the Assembly must also maintain online lists of boards and commissions they have appointment authority over and publish annual aggregate demographic reports about their legislative appointments. Both the gubernatorial and legislative reports must be published in a way that protects individual anonymity and includes a disclaimer that the data is based only on voluntary reporting and may not reflect the full demographics of all appointments. The bill aims to increase public understanding of the composition of state government appointments while protecting individual privacy.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB702