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AB-884 • 2026

Campaign contributions: investor-owned utilities.

Campaign contributions: investor-owned utilities.

Crime Education Elections Energy
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Essayli
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties beyond referencing existing laws.

Ban on Utility Company Political Donations

AB-884 stops investor-owned utilities from giving money to state election candidates and prevents those candidates from accepting such donations.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes it illegal for investor-owned utility companies to give money to people running for state office.
  • Stops state election candidates from taking money from these same utility companies.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Investor-owned utilities
  • Candidates for state office

Terms To Know

investor-owned utility
A company that provides electricity, gas, or water to people and is owned by shareholders.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Doesn't explain how it will be enforced or who will check for violations.
  • Doesn't mention any specific utilities by name.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-04-02 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  4. 2025-03-10 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.

  5. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.

  6. 2025-02-19 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 884, as introduced, Essayli.
Campaign contributions: investor-owned utilities.
The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive regulation of campaign financing and related matters.
This bill would prohibit an investor-owned utility from making a contribution to a candidate for elective state office and would prohibit a candidate for elective state office from accepting a contribution from an investor-owned utility.
A violation of the Political Reform Act of 1974 is punishable as a misdemeanor. By creating a new crime under the act, this 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.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act’s purposes upon a
2
/
3
vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF