Assemblymember Valencia Bills Signed Into Law, Adding to Record on Government Accountability

• Eric Lopez
• Communications Director
• (916) 319-2068
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA - Government accountability and oversight have been a throughline of Assemblymember Avelino Valencia's legislative work, with a consistent emphasis on ensuring that money is spent as intended. Governor Newsom has now signed two more bills by Assemblymember Valencia (D-Anaheim) that tighten how California tracks campaign money and add guardrails to how campaign funds may be spent on security.

AB 2655 ensures security expenses paid for by campaign funds are legitimate and under the purview of state oversight. The new law establishes that campaign funds may pay for personal security only when the paid personnel hold an active license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Licensure requires a background check by the Department of Justice and the FBI and completion of a Power to Arrest training course. Current law allows candidates and elected officials to spend campaign funds on security when a threat arises from their work, but sets no qualification standard for who does that work.

AB 2421 increases government efficiency and improves the accuracy and integrity of the state's campaign finance disclosure system by creating a process for the Secretary of State to terminate committees that have gone dormant. Roughly 10,000 committees are inactive and have outdated contact information. Eliminating them gives Californians an accurate understanding of who is participating in California politics and returns Fair Political Practices Commission staff time to compliance issues, investigations, and enforcement.

"Threats against public officials and their families are real, and California responded by allowing campaign funds to be spent on protection. However, the law did not require the individuals paid for that work to be licensed," said Assemblymember Avelino Valencia. "AB 2655 sets that standard, ensuring campaign money spent on security goes to a licensed professional who has passed a background check and been trained to de-escalate. That change protects the official and the public, and it ensures money is spent as intended. AB 2421 brings that same accountability to our records, and it allows the Fair Political Practices Commission to focus its energy on other priorities."

"The safety of elected officials, candidates for elective office, their families, and their dedicated staff is essential to the strength and integrity of our democracy. AB 2655 adds a vital layer of protection by establishing clear, standardized guidelines for utilizing campaign funds to secure professional security services," said Fair Political Practices Commission Chair Adam E. Silver. "By requiring campaign-funded security personnel to hold active licensure from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, this legislation ensures that those tasked with safeguarding candidates and our elected leaders are thoroughly vetted, professionally trained, and fully equipped to respond to emergencies. We thank Governor Gavin Newsom for signing this important measure into law, and we commend Assemblymember Avelino Valencia for his steadfast leadership in delivering these critical protections."

On AB 2421, Chair Silver added: "The Fair Political Practices Commission is proud to have worked with Assemblymember Avelino Valencia and Governor Gavin Newsom on the enactment of AB 2421. Meaningful transparency begins with accurate, up-to-date information. By establishing a clear process to remove inactive committees from California's campaign finance database, this new law helps ensure the public has access to current and reliable information about who is actively participating in our political process. Accurate records strengthen public accountability, reinforce confidence in California's campaign finance disclosure system, and help ensure Californians have the information they need to make informed decisions."

Both measures take effect January 1, 2027.

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Assemblymember Valencia proudly represents the 68th Assembly district which includes the cities of Anaheim, Orange and Santa Ana. Valencia chairs the Assembly Banking & Finance Committee and the Select Committee on Developing Pathways to Purpose for Young Men.