SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin, introduced AB 1652, to prohibit elected and appointed officials at state agencies from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) related to legislation and regulations.
“This bill is an essential step in increasing transparency throughout California’s government,” Assemblyman Patterson said.
The bill builds on the Assemblyman’s work from last year, which prohibited legislators from signing nondisclosure agreements. Extending this prohibition to state agencies with AB 1652 would create critical accountability at all levels of state government.
“It is vital that every branch of government functions to help Californians, not hide information from residents,” Assemblyman Patterson said. “Californians have a right to know how their taxpayer dollars are being spent.”
AB 1652 includes the same narrow exemption for proprietary information and trade secrets that Patterson’s previous NDA bill did, allowing NDAs to be used appropriately to protect business trade secrets while prohibiting officials from hiding information relevant to citizens.
“The goal of this bill, just like last year, is simple,” Assemblyman Patterson said. “Our state government must not conceal lawmaking and budgetary information from citizens, especially when that information directly relates to the use of taxpayer funds.”
Patterson represents the 5th Assembly District, which is comprised of the communities of Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay, Auburn, North Auburn, Loomis, Meadow Vista, Newcastle, Penryn, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Diamond Springs, Placerville, Shingle Springs, Auburn Lake Trails, Georgetown, Cold Springs, Coloma, Rescue and Cool.
###