California SB994: Local agencies: nondisclosure agreements.

What the bill says

An act to add Article 2.4.4 (commencing with Section 53235.5) to Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code, relating to local government. local government Local agencies: nondisclosure agreements. Existing law, the legislative code of ethics, prohibits Members of the Legislature from entering into, or requesting that another party enter into, a nondisclosure agreement relating to the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of proposed legislation…

From the chaptered text, September 27, 2026:

An act to add Article 2.4.4 (commencing with Section 53235.5) to Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code, relating to local government. local government Local agencies: nondisclosure agreements. Existing law, the legislative code of ethics, prohibits Members of the Legislature from entering into, or requesting that another party enter into, a nondisclosure agreement relating to the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of proposed legislation. Existing law also makes any nondisclosure agreement relating to the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of proposed legislation entered into after January 1, 2026, void and unenforceable. Existing law provides an exception for nondisclosure agreements, or portions thereof, that prevent only the disclosure of trade secrets, financial information, or proprietary information, as specified. This bill would prohibit a local agency official, as defined, acting in their official capacity from entering into, or requesting that another individual enter into, a nondisclosure agreement relating to public business that precludes their ability to share information with fellow local agency officials serving on the same council, board, commission, district, or agency. The bill would require a local agency official in violation of that provision to, among other things, disclose the existence of the nondisclosure agreement, as specified, and would provide that these requirements imposed on a local agency official also apply to a local …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Christopher Cabaldon (D, SD03) · primary sponsor
• Anna Caballero (D, SD14)
• Joe Patterson (R, AD05)

Latest actions

1. September 27, 2026: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 669, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 27, 2026: Approved by the Governor.
3. August 21, 2026: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. August 18, 2026: Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 5517.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 18, 2026: Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
6. August 18, 2026: In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
7. August 18, 2026: Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
8. August 17, 2026: Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 6207.) Ordered to the Senate.
9. August 17, 2026: Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate.
10. August 13, 2026: Ordered to third reading.

Votes

• Unfinished Business SB994 Cabaldon et al. Concurrence (August 18, 2026): 40 yea, 0 nay, passed
• SB 994 Cabaldon Senate Third Reading By Carrillo (August 17, 2026): 73 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (August 5, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar (July 1, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar (June 9, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate 3rd Reading SB994 Cabaldon et al. (May 19, 2026): 39 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB994?

SB994 is a bill in the California Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Local agencies: nondisclosure agreements.

What does SB994 do?

In its own words: An act to add Article 2.4.4 (commencing with Section 53235.5) to Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code, relating to local government. local government Local agencies: nondisclosure agreements. Existing law, the legislative code of ethics, prohibits Members of the Legislature from entering into, or requesting that another party enter into, a nondisclosure agreement relating to the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of proposed legislation…

What is the status of SB994?

Chaptered as of September 27, 2026. Latest action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 669, Statutes of 2026. (September 27, 2026).

Who sponsored SB994?

Christopher Cabaldon (D, SD03), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB994?

On the California Legislature website: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB994