Crimes: corruption.

Crime Education Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Krell
Last action: 2026-04-08
Official status: In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide information on what happens if an official is found guilty after leaving office.

Crimes: Corruption

The bill makes it illegal for elected or appointed officials in California to retaliate against people who exercise their constitutional rights, and violators would lose their positions.

What This Bill Does

Makes it a crime for an official to punish someone for exercising their constitutional rights under the authority of their position.
Requires that anyone found guilty of this crime forfeits their office and is disqualified from holding any public office in California or its subdivisions.
Does not apply when officials make hiring decisions related to their own staff.

Who It Names or Affects

Elected and appointed officials in California
People who exercise their constitutional rights

Terms To Know

Constitutional Rights: Rights protected by the U.S. Constitution, such as freedom of speech or religion.
Political Retribution: Punishing someone for their political actions or beliefs.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if an official is found guilty after leaving office.
It only applies to officials in California, not other states.
Doesn't cover all types of retaliation by officials, just those related to constitutional rights.

Bill History

2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 24).
2026-03-18 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-03-10 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-01-06 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 5.
2026-01-05 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1538, as amended, Krell.
Crimes: corruption.
Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to, by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, oppress, or threaten another person in the free exercise or enjoyment of a right or privilege secured by the Constitution or laws of this state or by the Constitution or laws of the United
States
States,
in whole or in
part
part,
because of one or more of specified actual or perceived characteristics of the victim, including disability, gender, religion, race, or sexual orientation.
This bill would make it a crime for an elected or appointed official, under color of authority, to retaliate or exert political retribution, as defined, against a person for exercising a constitutionally protected right. The bill would make a violation of this crime punishable by forfeiture of
office and disqualification from holding any office in this state or a
political subdivision thereof.
office.
The bill would specify that these provisions do not apply to the hiring or personnel decisions of elected or appointed officials that are relative to an employee or prospective employee of that elected or appointed official. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF