Here is a sample of some of the public record bills I am currently working on in the state Assembly. I've also listed past legislation from previous years. For a complete review of my state legislative record, please visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.

2007

AB 1393: Public Records Act

This bill requires all state agencies with an internet website to include specific information on how a person may make a California Public Records Act request, including the name and contact information of staff trained to provide this information. It also requires specific public records to be maintained on the public agency’s website and establishes penalties for failure to disclose records that are obviously public.

AB 1668: Open File Format Standard

This bill would help preserve unfettered access and use of electronic documents by creating an “open file format” demonstration project in up to three state agencies. Today, many electronic documents are locked in closed, proprietary files that restrict and limit their use by the state and its residents The use of open formats allow software developers to incorporate the file format into multiple software solution and help reduce barriers and increase access to electronically stored information.

AB 1046: Electronic Option for Voter Information Guides

This bill will allow a voter to choose not to receive a hard copy of the Voter Information Guide once it becomes available online at the Secretary of States website, saving postage and paper costs.

2006

AB 2927: California Public Records Act Posting and Enforcement

This bill requires all state agencies with an Internet website to include specific information on how a person may make a California Public Records Act request, including the name and contact information of staff trained to provide this information. It also requires specific public records to be maintained on the public agency’s website and establishes penalties for failure to disclose records that are obviously public.

AB 2946: Initiative Reform

AB 2946 is a comprehensive approach to reforming California’s initiative process, requiring signature gatherers to disclose if they are paid or volunteer and requiring petitions to list the top three financial contributors to the initiative. It would also prohibit paying a person on a per-signature basis for gathering signatures, registering voters, or distributing absentee ballot applications, and would hold signature gathering firms and initiative proponents liable for violations of these and other provisions of election law.

2005

AB 1391: Political Reform Act Loophole Closure

This bill closes a loophole in the Political Reform Act. Currently, election committees need not follow local election regulations if they are registered as a state election committee, regardless of whether they participate in local elections or not. This bill would require that any committee that participates in a local election must follow local disclosure requirements.

2004

AB 1866: Prisoner Media Access

Currently, reporters are prohibited from face-to-face interviews with prisoners and are banned from using writing materials or recording devices in California prisons. AB 1866 would o allow media representatives to conduct in-person interviews with prisoners, including prearranged interviews. In conducting the interviews, a media representative would be able use any supplies needed to conduct the interview, including writing materials and recording devices. The measure would also permit a media representative to accept confidential correspondence from a prisoner under certain circumstances.

AB 714: Disabled Voting Rights

Federal money has been recently been made available through the Help America Vote Act to help improve voting accessibility for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments. This bill would help make resources available during all elections, as opposed to just during federal elections.

AB 2842: Campaign Finance Loan Loophole Closure

On January 27th of this year, a judge determined that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's $.5 million in bank loans to his campaign for Governor were illegal and that the monies must be paid back by Mr. Schwarzenegger personally rather than raised through contributions. Since that time, legislative candidates have continued taking out bank loans in violation of the spirit of the Court's ruling. This measure would make that ruling law.

2003

AB 578: Electronic Recording Act

This measure would set up a framework under which County Assessors and Recorders could receive documents electronically. Most Assessors and Recorders already operate electronically upon receipt of paper-based documents. In 2002, the Attorney General indicated that receipt of electronic recordings by County Assessors and Recorders requires legislative authorization.