Assembly committee advances bill to bar registered *** offenders from running for office

Assemblymember Soria introduced AB 2,753 on April 15, arguing the measure is designed to close a gap in California election law after a registered *** offender announced a run for Fresno City Council earlier this year. "AB 27 53 closes that gap," Soria said, framing the bill as necessary to protect public trust and community safety.

Nelson Esparza, president of the Fresno City Council, told the committee the candidacy generated sustained disruption in his district and prompted widespread concern. "Running for office is a very intentional act," Esparza said. He described a press conference held near an elementary school and said local officials received dozens of calls from concerned residents.

Committee members debated the bill's scope and constitutional and policy tradeoffs. Assemblymember Bennett questioned where the line should be drawn and warned that other serious crimes could raise similar concerns, saying the legislature must be deliberate about which convictions trigger disqualification. "Where do we draw the line?" he asked, urging careful consideration of possible downstream effects.

Assemblymember El Hawari and others raised restorative‑justice and second‑chance implications, noting that some people convicted long ago may have been rehabilitated and could bring important perspectives to public life. Soria and supporters said the bill targets a specific set of offenses that the public regards as fundamentally incompatible with elected office and that careful drafting can mitigate unintended consequences.

The committee voted to advance the bill and kept the roll open for absent members; the chair reported the measure as carried out of committee with affirmative recommendations pending the final roll. The committee also requested the author work with colleagues on technical language about eligibility thresholds and enforcement mechanisms.

Next steps: the bill was ordered out of committee to be held for absent members and will proceed to the next committee or floor scheduling per the Assembly calendar.