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SCR 118

Relative to the Jeffrey Epstein files.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Lowenthal

Condemns sex trafficking and urges federal transparency and accountability, demanding release of Epstein-related files and action against all implicated individuals.

In Assembly. Held at Desk.
#jeffreyepsteinfiles
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SCR 118

Summary: California Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 118 (2025-2026)

1) Purpose and Intent

  • SCR 118 is a California Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced by Senator Gonzalez (with Assembly Member Lowenthal as principal coauthor) on February 10, 2026.
  • The resolution expresses condemnation of sex trafficking, specifically referencing Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, and calls for transparency and accountability regarding Epstein-related files.
  • It urges federal and local law enforcement to take immediate action to hold accountable all individuals who harmed survivors or who were complicit, regardless of status or title, and it urges Congress and federal authorities to ensure full release of Epstein-related records.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • The measure makes a series of declarative statements and calls to action rather than creating new law or imposing California-specific requirements. The substantive actions include:
    • Condemning sex trafficking and denouncing Epstein, Maxwell, and any individuals involved or aware of the crimes.
    • Denouncing attempts by President Donald Trump and his appointees to block or delay the release of Epstein files and to redact information from such files.
    • Urging Congress and federal agencies to continue oversight and to hold accountable all persons implicated in the Epstein cases, regardless of status or political affiliation.
    • Urging federal and local law enforcement to pursue accountability for survivors and victims, ensuring justice and closure.
  • The resolution references and endorses the prior federal legislation H.R. 4405 (Epstein Files Transparency Act) from the 119th Congress (2025), which targeted the release of unclassified Epstein investigation materials with narrowly tailored redactions. It notes perceived federal noncompliance with that act, including missed deadlines and redactions, and it mentions the U.S. Department of Justice’s handling of the files and related subpoenas.
  • The measure requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit copies of SCR 118 to federal leaders, California’s congressional delegation, the Governor, and the author.

3) Who or What Would Be Affected

  • Directly: The resolution itself does not create new California statutory requirements or obligations on individuals or agencies.
  • Indirectly: It signals California’s legislative stance and moral/policy leadership on transparency and accountability regarding Epstein-related investigations. It could influence California’s public narrative and encourage federal actions but does not impose state-level enforcement or investigative duties.
  • Survivors and the broader public might be affected by continued advocacy for greater transparency and accountability in Epstein-related investigations.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Introduced February 10, 2026.
  • Committee history:
    • Referred to the Assembly Committee on Rules, then to Public Safety as indicated by the action history.
    • Passed the Senate floor: Read, adopted, and ordered to the Assembly on April 23, 2026 (Ayes 28, Noes 0).
  • Current posture: As of the latest action, the measure advanced to the Assembly for potential concurrence and further action.
  • Federal context referenced in the text includes the H.R. 4405 (Epstein Files Transparency Act) and related oversight by a U.S. House committee subpoena, highlighting a cross-border (federal–state) policy emphasis on transparency.

5) Notable Details

  • The resolution explicitly condemns actions by high-profile figures and government actors involved in attempts to withhold or redact Epstein-related information.
  • It urges continued federal oversight and accountability, and to publish all relevant files with narrowly tailored redactions only where legally permissible to protect survivors’ identities.
  • The document is a symbolic, non-binding statement intended to signal California’s principled stance on survivors’ justice and information transparency.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with prior Epstein-related resolutions or summarize potential implications for future California-federal policy dialogues.

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

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