summary
Introduced
03/10/2026
03/10/2026
In Committee
05/05/2026
05/05/2026
Crossed Over
05/04/2026
05/04/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This measure would affirm the fundamental importance of indigent defense to due process, equal justice, and democratic governance, recognize public defenders as essential protectors of constitutional rights and the rule of law, and encourage the development of statewide approaches to indigent defense.
AI Summary
This concurrent resolution affirms the critical role of indigent defense, which is the legal representation provided to individuals who cannot afford an attorney, in ensuring due process (fair legal proceedings) and equal justice for all, recognizing that public defenders are vital in protecting constitutional rights and upholding the rule of law. The resolution acknowledges that chronic underfunding and a disparity in resources between prosecution and defense services undermine the fairness of the legal system and the right to effective legal counsel guaranteed by the U.S. and California Constitutions. To address these issues, it encourages the creation of statewide strategies for indigent defense that utilize data-driven workload standards, promote adequate staffing and funding, enhance data collection and transparency, and ensure that state funding mechanisms do not perpetuate imbalances between prosecution and defense.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (66)
Ash Kalra (D)*,
Dawn Addis (D),
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D),
Patrick Ahrens (D),
David Alvarez (D),
Anamarie Avila Farias (D),
Jasmeet Bains (D),
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D),
Marc Berman (D),
Tasha Boerner Horvath (D),
Mia Bonta (D),
Isaac Bryan (D),
Lisa Calderon (D),
Juan Carrillo (D),
Leticia Castillo (R),
Damon Connolly (D),
Laurie Davies (R),
Diane Dixon (R),
Sade Elhawary (D),
Stan Ellis (R),
Heath Flora (R),
Mike Fong (D),
Jesse Gabriel (D),
Robert Garcia (D),
Mike Gipson (D),
Mark González (D),
Matt Haney (D),
John Harabedian (D),
Gregg Hart (D),
Josh Hoover (R),
Jacqui Irwin (D),
Corey Jackson (D),
Natasha Johnson (R),
Maggy Krell (D),
Tom Lackey (R),
Alex Lee (D),
Josh Lowenthal (D),
Tina McKinnor (D),
Al Muratsuchi (D),
Stephanie Nguyen (D),
Liz Ortega (D),
Blanca Pacheco (D),
Diane Papan (D),
Darshana Patel (D),
Gail Pellerin (D),
Cottie Petrie-Norris (D),
Sharon Quirk-Silva (D),
James Ramos (D),
Rhodesia Ransom (D),
Robert Rivas (D),
Celeste Rodriguez (D),
Michelle Rodriguez (D),
Chris Rogers (D),
Blanca Rubio (D),
Pilar Schiavo (D),
Nick Schultz (D),
LaShae Sharp-Collins (D),
Jose Solache (D),
Esmeralda Soria (D),
Catherine Stefani (D),
Tri Ta (R),
David Tangipa (R),
Avelino Valencia (D),
Chris Ward (D),
Buffy Wicks (D),
Rick Zbur (D),
Last Action
From committee: Ordered to third reading. (on 05/13/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260ACR159 |
| BillText | https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260ACR159#99INT |
Loading...