AB-1652 • 2026

State agencies: regulations and legislation: nondisclosure agreements.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Patterson
Last action: 2026-04-16
Official status: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

State Agencies: Rules on Nondisclosure Agreements

This law stops state agency officials from making secret agreements about new rules and laws they are working on, unless the agreement is to protect trade secrets or private information.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits state agency officers from asking others to sign nondisclosure agreements for discussions about new regulations or laws.
Makes any nondisclosure agreements signed by state agency officers after this law goes into effect unenforceable if they are about new rules or laws.
Allows exceptions for nondisclosure agreements that protect trade secrets, private financial information, and proprietary information.

Who It Names or Affects

State agency officials who make regulations or work on legislation.
People or companies asked to sign nondisclosure agreements by state agency officers.

Terms To Know

nondisclosure agreement: A contract that stops people from sharing certain information with others.
trade secrets: Special business information that companies keep secret to stay competitive.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what will happen if someone breaks this rule.
It is unclear when the law will officially start working.

Bill History

2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 68. Noes 0.)
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 8).
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-03-10 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-02-17 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-01-29 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 28.
2026-01-28 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1652, as introduced, Patterson.
State agencies: regulations and legislation: nondisclosure agreements.
Existing law prohibits Members of the Legislature from entering into, or requesting that another party enter into, a nondisclosure agreement relating to the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of proposed legislation, and makes any nondisclosure agreement relating to the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of proposed legislation void and unenforceable. Existing law provides an exception for nondisclosure agreements, or portions thereof, that prevent only the disclosure of trade secrets, financial information, or proprietary information, as specified.
This bill would prohibit an elective or appointive officer of a state agency acting in their official capacity from entering into, or requesting that another party enter into, a nondisclosure agreement relating to the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of a proposed regulation or legislation. The
bill would also make any nondisclosure agreement relating to the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of a proposed regulation or legislation entered into by an elective or appointive officer of a state agency acting in their official capacity after the effective date of this bill void and unenforceable. The bill would provide an exception for nondisclosure agreements, or portions thereof, that prevent only the disclosure of trade secrets, private financial information, or proprietary information, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF