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AB 1736CALIFORNIASession 20252026

AB 1736 expands lobbying ethics rules to prohibit employers from creating fake public support

Original title: Political Reform Act of 1974: lobbyist employers: fictitious appearances.

July 13, 2026

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The Frame

What this does

This bill increases the legal accountability of organizations that hire lobbyists by subjecting them to the same anti-fraud standards regarding public communication that currently apply only to individual lobbyists and firms.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Lobbyist employers

They are now subject to legal prohibitions against creating fictitious public appearances, which were previously limited to lobbyists and firms.

Lobbyists and lobbying firms

They remain subject to existing prohibitions, now shared with their employers.

What changed

Last recorded activity July 13, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

AB 1736 extends existing prohibitions against creating fake public favor or disfavor to include 's,' making it illegal for them to manufacture artificial public pressure on state officials. This change expands the scope of activities punishable as a under the Political Reform Act of 1974.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 'lobbyist employer'?
A is any person or entity, other than a lobbying firm, that employs one or more lobbyists or contracts for lobbying services.
What specific actions are now prohibited for these employers?
They are prohibited from creating a fake appearance of public support or opposition to legislative actions, and from sending communications to officials using the names of fake people or real people without their permission.
What happens if an employer violates this rule?
Violations are punishable as a under the Political Reform Act of 1974.

Why It Matters

This bill increases the legal accountability of organizations that hire lobbyists by subjecting them to the same anti-fraud standards regarding public communication that currently apply only to individual lobbyists and firms.

News Coverage

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Connected Entities

otherPolitical Reform Act of 1974The existing law being amended by this bill.Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

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  • Controversy20
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  • Entertainment5
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