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AB 655

Relating to: installation of a speed limiter for repeated reckless driving violations, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Deb Andraca and 8 co-sponsors

Adds ex officio, nonvoting legislative members from border districts to California-Mexico Border Relations Council to boost cross-border coordination.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
0
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Bill Summary · AB 655

AB 655 — California-Mexico Border Relations Council (2025) — Summary

Note: Although the bill header in the request referenced speed limiters, the official bill text and legislative digest submitted here amend Government Code section 99522 and concern membership of the California‑Mexico Border Relations Council. This summary reflects the bill text and legislative actions on that subject.

Purpose / Intent

AB 655 adds specified legislative representation to the California‑Mexico Border Relations Council to strengthen state‑level coordination on cross‑border programs, initiatives, projects, and partnerships affecting California and Mexico by allowing legislative members from border districts to participate as ex officio, nonvoting members.

Key Provisions

  • Amends Government Code § 99522.
  • Confirms the council’s existing eight voting members (heads of relevant state agencies: GO‑Biz, Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Food & Agriculture, Business/Consumer Services & Housing, and Emergency Services).
  • Authorizes:
    • The Speaker of the Assembly to appoint one Assembly Member who represents a district that shares a border with Mexico to serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.
    • The President pro Tempore of the Senate to appoint one Senator who represents a district that shares a border with Mexico to serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.
  • Specifies that those legislative appointees:
    • Serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer.
    • May participate in council activities to the extent that participation is not incompatible with their duties as Members of the Legislature.
  • Maintains the existing ability for the U.S. EPA Region 9 Regional Administrator to appoint a nonvoting ex officio staff representative.
  • Confirms the Secretary for Environmental Protection as the council chair.

Who Is Affected

  • The California‑Mexico Border Relations Council and its current member agencies (coordination and advisory functions).
  • Members of the Legislature representing California districts that border Mexico (they become eligible for ex officio participation).
  • State and local stakeholders engaged in cross‑border projects and policy coordination may see increased legislative engagement.

Fiscal / Procedural Notes

  • Digest: Majority vote; no state appropriation required; referred to fiscal committee for review.
  • Legislative history (selected):
    • Introduced: February 13, 2025.
    • Assembly passage: May 15, 2025 (Ayes 69, Noes 0).
    • Senate passage: June 27, 2025 (Ayes 38, Noes 0).
    • Enrolled and presented to Governor: July 3, 2025.
    • Approved by Governor and chaptered: July 14, 2025 — Chapter 41, Statutes of 2025.
  • The law does not create new voting members or new funding; it expands the council’s ex officio, nonvoting membership to include specified legislative appointees.

Sponsors / Authors

Primary authors/sponsors listed in materials: Sinicki, Stubbs, Ortiz‑Velez, Udell, Roe, Palmeri, Andraca, Goodwin, Fitzgerald. Representative Subeck later added as a coauthor (noted Nov 21, 2025 in the document trace).

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

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