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Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) has announced that Assembly Bill 1370 has been signed into law. Coauthored by Senator Ochoa Bogh, this bill represents a significant step toward restoring public trust by prohibiting state legislators from signing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) that conceal legislative decisions and the use of taxpayer dollars.
“This bill is about accountability and transparency,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “The people of California have a right to know how their government operates, how their money is spent, and who is influencing those decisions. AB 1370 brings us closer to that standard by making sure lawmakers can no longer use NDAs to shield backroom deals from public view.”
Introduced by Assemblyman Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin), AB 1370 responds to a troubling trend of secrecy in Sacramento. In recent years, legislators and other parties have signed NDAs to hide details about billion-dollar state projects.
Under the new law, legislators will be explicitly barred from signing nondisclosure agreements related to their official duties, including policy negotiations and state spending. While it does not extend to lobbyists or the administration, it represents a critical first step in strengthening transparency within the Legislature itself.
AB 1370 passed with bipartisan support and takes effect January 1, 2026.