AB 2360: State agencies: governmental linguistics.

California · Assembly · 2025–2026 Regular Session · last verified August 15, 2026

What AB 2360 does, verified August 15, 2026

The bill aims to improve the clarity and accessibility of government documents. It requires state agencies to write documents in plain language, avoiding technical terms whenever possible, and to use a coherent and easily readable style. This applies to both digital and printed documents. The bill also requires each state agency to create a plain language policy, which outlines how the agency will incorporate plain language writing and design principles and practices. The agency must designate a senior official to oversee the implementation of these provisions.

Bill journey

✓IntroducedComplete

✓In CommitteeComplete

✓First Chamber FloorComplete

4Second ChamberCurrent

5GovernorPending

6ChapteredPending

Last action: In committee: Held under submission. (2026-08-13)Alert me

Author and sponsors

Asm. Joaquin ArambulaAuthor · California State Assembly

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Recent actions15 total · showing 5

Aug. 13, 2026	In committee: Held under submission.
Aug. 03, 2026	In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Jun. 23, 2026	From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Jun. 10, 2026	Referred to Com. on G.O.
May. 27, 2026	In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

Full action history, 10 earlier actionsConnect Plus

Latest bill textAmended version, May 18, 2026 · 698 words

Amended IN Assembly May 18, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2360

Introduced by Assembly Member Arambula

February 19, 2026

An act to amend Section 6219 of the Government Code, relating to state agencies.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2360, as amended, Arambula. State agencies: governmental linguistics.

Existing law requires each department, commission, office, or other administrative agency of state government to write each document, as defined, that it produces in plain, straightforward language, avoiding technical terms as much as possible, and using a coherent and easily readable style.

This bill would ~~specify that the plain, straightforward language requirement applies to both digital and printed documents,~~ instead require each state agency, as described above, to write each document it produces after January 1, 2027, either digitally or in print, in plain language, as specified, and would define “plain language” for purposes of that provision. The bill would ~~require each~~ authorize a state agency, as described above, to ~~create, adopt, and post on its internet website a plain language policy that identifies how the state agency will incorporate or strengthen plain language writing and design~~ use standards created by the Office of Data and Innovation that identify how a state agency incorporates plain language principles and practices. The bill would require the head of each state agency to, among other things, designate one or more senior officials within the state agency to oversee state agency implementation of these provisions.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 6219 of the Government Code is amended to read:

6219.

(a) As used in this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Plain language” means language that is clear and easily understood by the intended audience, avoids unnecessary legal or technical jargon, and uses words, sentences, and structures that facilitate comprehension and accessibility for common literacy levels, including individuals with disabilities or limited English proficiency.

(2) “State agency” means each department, commission, office, or other administrative agency of state government.

(3) “State agency document” means any publicly available instruction, form, license, communication, regulation, manual, memorandum, or any other written communication that is necessary to carry out the state agency’s responsibilities under the law.

~~(a)~~

(b) Each state agency shall write each document that it ~~produces,~~ produces after January 1, 2027, either digitally or in print, in ~~plain, straightforward~~ plain language, avoiding technical terms as much as possible, and using a coherent and easily readable style.

(b)Each state agency shall create, adopt, and post on its internet website a plain language policy that identifies how the state agency will incorporate or strengthen plain language writing and design principles and practices.
(c) To implement this section, a state agency may use standards created by the Office of Data and Innovation that identify how a state agency incorporates plain language principles and practices.
~~(c)~~

(d) Within existing personnel and resources, the head of each state agency shall do all of the following:

(1) Designate one or more senior officials within the state agency to oversee state agency implementation of this section.

(2) Communicate the requirements of this section to the employees of the state agency.

(3) Establish a process for overseeing the ongoing compliance of the state agency with the requirements of this section.

(4)Within existing personnel resources, designate one or more state agency points of contact to receive and respond to public input, questions, comments, or suggestions on state agency implementation of this section, or on any state agency document that is not easily readable or in plain language.

~~(d)As used in this section, the following definitions apply:~~

(1)“Plain language” means language that is clear and easily understood by the intended audience, avoids unnecessary legal or technical jargon, and uses words, sentences, and structures that facilitate comprehension and accessibility for common literacy levels, including individuals with disabilities or limited English proficiency.

~~(2)“State agency” means each department, commission, office, or other administrative agency of state government.~~

(3)“State agency document” means any contract, form, license, announcement, regulation, manual, memorandum, or any other written communication that is necessary to carry out the state agency’s responsibilities under the law.

Text of AB 2360 as amended, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions