Secretary of State warns of cybersecurity and large fiscal risks for AB 11 16; committee places bill on suspense file

A representative from the California Secretary of State's office told the Senate Appropriations Committee that AB 11 16, while conceptually understood, presents technical and cybersecurity risks that could greatly increase implementation costs.

Adam Lorna, identified as speaking for the Secretary of State's office, said the office was "not really opposed to this bill" but expressed "significant concerns with the legislation." Lorna warned the measure could raise technical cybersecurity and operational challenges "that make implementation not only impractical, but potentially dangerous to the integrity of California, California's election systems." He said the Secretary of State initially estimated about $1,000,000 for core modifications but that after factoring in cybersecurity protections, secure file upload capabilities, image validation technology, third-party software testing and implementation, "We estimate the one-time implementation cost could approach 10,000,000 with additional ongoing operational and security costs thereafter."

There was no recorded committee debate on the technical details during the hearing and no witnesses from the bill’s authors to respond; the committee moved AB 11 16 to the suspense file without objection for further review.

The committee's action places near-term consideration of the bill on hold in the Appropriations Committee while staff and members review fiscal and security implications.