Assembly BillFailedGovernment
AB 541: California Public Records Act Ombudsperson.
What AB 541 does, verified February 3, 2026
The bill establishes the office of the California Public Records Act Ombudsperson, which will investigate and review requests for public records. The Ombudsperson will be appointed by the Governor and will determine whether denials of original requests complied with the California Public Records Act. If the Ombudsperson determines that a record was improperly denied, the state agency must provide the record to the public. The Ombudsperson will also create a process for individuals to intervene to assert their privacy and confidentiality rights. The Ombudsperson will report to the legislature on the number of requests for review received in the prior year.
Bill journey
✓IntroducedComplete
2In CommitteeCurrent
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. (2026-02-02)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| Feb. 02, 2026 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| May. 23, 2025 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Apr. 23, 2025 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file. |
| Apr. 08, 2025 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |