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Bill

AB 1736

Political Reform Act of 1974: lobbyist employers: fictitious appearances.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gail Pellerin

California bill would strengthen lobbying disclosure rules by requiring lobbyist employers to disclose fictitious identities or misleading representations used in political advocacy.

In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
#politicalreformactof1974 #fictitiousappearances #lobbyistemployers
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 1736

Legislative bill overview

AB 1736 appears to address disclosure requirements for lobbyist employers regarding "fictitious appearances"—likely referring to situations where lobbyists or their employers present themselves under false identities or misleading representations. The bill seeks to amend the Political Reform Act of 1974, California's foundational campaign finance and lobbying disclosure law, to close potential loopholes in transparency requirements.

Why is this important

Lobbying disclosure is fundamental to democratic accountability, allowing voters and policymakers to understand who is advocating for specific interests. If lobbyists or their employers can operate under fictitious identities or obscured affiliations, it undermines the transparency that the Political Reform Act was designed to create, potentially allowing undisclosed influence on legislation.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: "Fictitious appearances" is undefined in available summaries, creating uncertainty about what conduct the bill actually targets and how broadly it could be interpreted
  • First Amendment concerns: Requiring disclosure of all lobbying activity and identities could face constitutional challenges regarding anonymous speech rights, particularly for grassroots advocacy efforts
  • Enforcement complexity: Distinguishing between legitimate use of organizational names/intermediaries versus deceptive "fictitious appearances" may prove difficult to implement and enforce consistently

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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