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SB 1036

public resources; influencing elections; penalties

57th Legislature - First Regular Session Introduced by John Kavanagh

SB 1036 bans public resources from being used to influence elections or support political candidates, establishing penalties for violations; Governor vetoed the measure on May 13, 2025.

Vetoed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1036

Legislative bill overview

SB 1036 would prohibit the use of public resources—including government employees' time, facilities, and equipment—to influence elections or support political candidates and causes. The bill establishes penalties for violations and appears designed to prevent government entities from engaging in partisan political activity using taxpayer-funded resources.

Why is this important

Government resource misuse for political purposes raises concerns about fairness, transparency, and proper use of public funds. However, the bill's scope and definitions significantly impact what counts as "influencing elections," which could affect routine government communications, voter education efforts, and employee speech rights depending on implementation.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's language around what constitutes "influencing elections" may be vague enough to capture legitimate government communications about ballot measures, voting procedures, or civic participation that aren't inherently partisan
  • Employee speech restrictions: Depending on enforcement, the bill could restrict public employees' personal political speech or off-duty activity in ways that courts have traditionally protected
  • Implementation burden: Government agencies would need clear guidance on what communications are permissible, potentially requiring legal review of routine communications and creating compliance costs

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

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