WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 900

Political Reform Act of 1974: top contributors: disclosures.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Allen and 4 co-sponsors

SB 900 requires top five contributors for mass mailings and standardizes ad disclosures across formats to improve readability and voter awareness of who funds political ads.

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
#politicalreformactof1974 #disclosures #topcontributors
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 900

Summary of SB 900 (2025-2026) – Political Reform Act of 1974: top contributors disclosures

Purpose and intent

SB 900, introduced by Senator McNerney and coauthored by Assembly Member Solache, seeks to modify the disclosure requirements for political advertisements under the Political Reform Act of 1974. The bill focuses on increasing transparency around the top contributors to committees paying for certain political advertisements, with a particular emphasis on mass mailings and various forms of media. It also clarifies and updates language around how disclosures may be presented on different kinds of advertisements.

Key provisions and changes

  • Top contributors disclosure expansion (mass mailings):

    • For mass mailings, SB 900 requires the disclosure of the top contributors to the committee paying for the advertisement, expanding the current rule from the top 3 contributors to the top 5 contributors.

  • Disclosure formatting and abbreviations (advertisements):

    • Clarifies that print ads include yard signs and billboards, and electronic media ads include graphics or animated graphics hosted on a platform that can link to a paid website.
    • Permits shortened disclosures for top contributors in certain ads using approved abbreviations or by omitting non-essential words (e.g., “and,” “Inc.,” “California,” etc.), provided the meaning remains clear.
    • For larger printed ads (yard signs, billboards), permits formatting adjustments so disclosures need not appear on separate lines; top contributors may be listed on a single line or separated by bullet points or numbered prefixes (1, 2, 3).

  • Order and labeling of disclosures:

    • Specifies the order in which disclosures must appear on an advertisement, including “Ad Committee’s Top Funders/Top Funder” followed by the top contributor names, and additional lines such as a “Funding Details” link for certain committees.

  • Top contributor presentation rules (84503-related changes):

    • Retains the requirement to disclose top contributors, but expands to allow five for mass mailings and provides rules for abbreviations and name simplifications.
    • Establishes formatting standards (bold, centered, non-condensed type) and alignment with other required disclosures.

  • Independent expenditures and related statements:

    • Shortens required statements for independent expenditures to “Not paid for by a candidate” or the variant for candidates for other offices.

  • Other technical conformities:

    • Aligns various sections of the Government Code related to ad disclosures, including how committee names may be shortened or replaced with “Committee ID” when applicable.
    • The act is declared to further the purposes of the Political Reform Act and does not require local reimbursements.

Who/what is affected

  • Political committees paying for advertisements (including independent expenditure committees, sponsor groups, and ballot measure committees) and the content/format of disclosures displayed in print, digital, and other media.
  • Advertisements such as mass mailings, yard signs, billboards, online video ads, and other electronic media.
  • California voters who view advertisements and rely on top-contributor disclosures to assess campaign funding sources.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • SB 900 was introduced in January 2026 and has moved through initial committee referrals with amendments.
  • The bill’s digest indicates a two-thirds vote requirement in Legislature for passage, consistent with broad amendments to the Political Reform Act.
  • As of the latest action, the bill was set for a hearing in May 2026, with amended language already reported out of committee.

Bottom line

SB 900 aims to enhance transparency by requiring disclosure of more top contributors (top 5 for mass mailings), standardizing and clarifying how disclosures appear across various ad formats, and permitting controlled abbreviation and formatting to improve readability while maintaining voter awareness of who funds political ads.

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

Sign in to ask a question.