Assembly Appropriations Committee concurs in AB 282, which would criminalize pre‑certification seizure of ballots

The Assembly Appropriations Committee voted to concur in Senate amendments to AB 282 on Aug. 30, 2026, after a presentation from Miss Pellerin. The committee’s clerk announced the motion passed by a reported tally of 9 to 1. The chair then closed the item and invited public comment; none was offered.

Miss Pellerin told the committee that “AB 282 seeks to prevent the gravest threat to our elections by preventing any attempts to seize ballots, election records, and certified voting technology before the election results are certified.” She said the bill would make it a felony to seize, cause or assist in the seizure of ballots or certified voting technology before results are certified and asked members for an aye vote.

During discussion a committee member asked to be added as a coauthor; the chair indicated that could not be completed at that moment. A motion to concur in the Senate amendments was made and seconded. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote and announced multiple aye responses and a final tally of 9 to 1 in favor. The transcript records a clear 'no' vote from Ta; the transcript also contains an inconsistent line regarding Hoover’s participation in the vote (see audit note). The committee chair closed the hearing, asked for public comment and, receiving none, adjourned the meeting.

Action taken: the committee reported concurrence in the Senate amendments to AB 282 and sent that recommendation forward. The motion as recorded in the hearing passed by the committee, 9 to 1. The committee did not receive any public testimony on the bill at this hearing.