AB-1544 • 2026

Court proceedings: media access.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Krell
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact nature and enforcement of civil penalties remain unspecified.

Media Access to Court Proceedings

This law prevents judges and police from stopping the press or public from watching court cases that are open to everyone.

What This Bill Does

Prevents judicial officers, peace officers, and other law enforcement officers from prohibiting duly authorized representatives of news services, online news services, newspapers, radio or television stations, networks, news publishers, or court observers from accessing court proceedings that are open to the public.
Allows members of the press and public to access court proceedings that are open to them.
Authorizes civil penalties for violations of this provision.

Who It Names or Affects

Judicial Officers
Peace Officers
Law Enforcement Officers
Duly Authorized Representatives of News Services
Online News Services
Newspapers
Radio and Television Stations
Networks
News Publishers
Court Observers
Members of the Press
The Public

Terms To Know

Judicial Officer: A judge or someone who works in the court system.
Civil Penalties: Fines or other punishments for breaking a law.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how civil penalties will be decided and enforced.
It is unclear what happens if there are safety concerns that might stop people from attending court proceedings.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 22).
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 7).
2026-03-19 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on JUD. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.
2026-03-18 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
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.
2026-02-17 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD.
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 1544, as amended, Krell.
Court proceedings: media access.
The California Constitution vests the judicial power of the state in the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and superior courts. Existing law requires the sittings of every court to be public, except as authorized.
This bill would bar a judicial officer, peace officer, or other law enforcement officer from prohibiting
a duly authorized representative of a news service, online news service, newspaper, radio or television station, network, news publisher, or court observer
a member of the press or public
from accessing court proceedings that are open to the public. The bill would authorize a violation of that provision to be subject to civil penalties, as
specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF