WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 204

Requires annual reports of legal settlement payments related to law enforcement activity

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Catalina Cruz

Requires annual reports of settlements paid for law-enforcement activity to boost transparency and help the public track government costs.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 204

Summary of Assembly Bill A 204

Overview

  • Bill: A 204
  • Title: Requires annual reports of legal settlement payments related to law enforcement activity
  • Purpose: To increase transparency and public accountability by mandating annual reporting of settlements paid in connection with law enforcement activity.
  • Sponsor: Catalina Cruz (primary)
  • Status: Referred to Governmental Operations
  • Introduced: January 8, 2025

Legislative Actions

  • 2025-01-08: Referred to Governmental Operations (listed twice in the record)
  • The bill currently has no further actions listed beyond referral.

Related and Companion Legislation

  • Related Assembly bills (prior-session): A 4586, A 478
  • Companion Senate bill: S 2266 (listed twice in the record)

What the Bill Would Do (Key Provisions)

  • Core requirement: The bill would require annual reports of legal settlement payments related to law enforcement activity.
  • Note: The specific data elements (e.g., total settlement amounts, dates, agencies involved, case details, recipients, settlement purpose) and the reporting format, responsible offices, and submission deadlines are not detailed in the information provided. The actual text would define these parameters, including who must report and to whom, and how the data would be published or made accessible.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Law enforcement agencies and related government bodies that incur or authorize settlements arising from law enforcement activity.
  • State and local government entities responsible for budgetary reporting and transparency.
  • The general public and oversight bodies seeking information on settlements and related costs.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Status indicates the bill has only been introduced and referred to committee (Governmental Operations).
  • If advanced, it would move through committee consideration, potentially to the floor of the Assembly, and, depending on parallel action in the Senate, could progress toward enactment.
  • No specific implementation timeline is provided in the available information; the actual bill text would include effective dates and any phased schedule.

Potential Impact and Implications

  • Transparency: Aims to provide public visibility into payments related to law enforcement settlements, contributing to oversight and accountability.
  • Budgetary Insight: Could inform taxpayers and policymakers about the financial impact of settlements on government budgets.
  • Administrative Burden: Requires entities to collect and compile data on settlements, which may entail administrative resources and data-management considerations.
  • Oversight: May enable better tracking of trends over time and support legislative or policy reviews related to law enforcement practices.

Note for Readers

  • The summary reflects the information provided. Specifics such as the exact data fields, reporting format, responsible reporting entities, submission deadlines, and any exemptions would be defined in the bill’s text.

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

Sign in to ask a question.