California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California AB 1544
Court proceedings: media access.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Krell (Democratic)
Cosponsors (2)
- Mark González (Democratic)
- Quirk-Silva (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary
The California Constitution vests the judicial power of the state in the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and superior courts. Existing law requires the sittings of every court to be public, except as authorized.
This bill would bar a judicial officer, peace officer, or other law enforcement officer from prohibiting a member of the press or public from accessing court proceedings that are open to the public. The bill would authorize a violation of that provision to be subject to civil penalties, as specified.
Text versions
- 09/27/26 - Chaptered· Sep 27, 2026
- 08/24/26 - Enrolled· Aug 24, 2026
- 04/09/26 - Amended Assembly· Apr 9, 2026
- 03/17/26 - Amended Assembly· Mar 17, 2026
- 01/05/26 - Introduced· Jan 5, 2026
- AB1544
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 14, 2026, 12:15 PM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 20, 2026 Senate | 3rd Reading AB1544 Krell et al. By Umberg | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Jun 23, 2026 Senate | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| May 7, 2026 House | AB 1544 Krell Assembly Third Reading | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Apr 22, 2026 House | Do pass. | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Apr 7, 2026 House | Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
Actions
- Sep 27, 2026 · Legislature
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 520, Statutes of 2026. - Sep 27, 2026 · Legislature
Approved by the Governor. - Aug 27, 2026 · Legislature
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. - Aug 20, 2026 · House
In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. - Aug 20, 2026 · Senate
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0.). - Aug 4, 2026 · Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading. - Aug 3, 2026 · Senate
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8. - Jun 24, 2026 · Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - May 20, 2026 · Senate
Referred to Com. on JUD. - May 7, 2026 · Senate
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. - May 7, 2026 · House
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 69. Noes . Page 4961.) - Apr 23, 2026 · House
Read second time. Ordered to third reading. - Apr 22, 2026 · House
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 22). - Apr 13, 2026 · House
Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - Apr 9, 2026 · House
Read second time and amended. - Apr 8, 2026 · House
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 7). - Mar 19, 2026 · House
Re-referred to Com. on JUD. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96. - Mar 18, 2026 · House
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. - Mar 18, 2026 · House
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. - Mar 17, 2026 · House
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended. - Feb 17, 2026 · House
Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD. - Jan 6, 2026 · House
From printer. May be heard in committee February 5. - Jan 5, 2026 · House
Read first time. To print.