CaliforniaSB 2532025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

State Bar of California: annual license fee.

Sponsored By: Thomas Umberg (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Discipline for attorney sexual misconduct

It is misconduct for a lawyer to require sex for legal help or to use force or intimidation for sex. A lawyer must not continue a case if a sexual relationship harms competence or likely hurts the client’s case. Spouses and prior consensual relationships are exempt. Complaints must be verified under oath.

Attorney license fees and inactive status

The law caps the 2026 active attorney license fee at $400. The inactive license fee is capped at $100, and you owe no inactive fee for any year after the year you turn 70. These fee caps end January 1, 2027. Active lawyers who retire may ask to be listed as inactive; inactive lawyers cannot practice. You can return to active status by applying and paying required fees, and some licensees may pay in installments with interest and costs under existing State Bar rules.

More notice before bar exam changes

For bar exam changes made after the July 2025 exam, the State Bar must give two years’ notice for big content changes and for allowing remote exams. It must give 18 months’ notice before switching the multiple‑choice question vendor (except the vendor used for July 2025). It must give at least 120 days’ notice for software or testing‑medium changes, with limited exceptions. The committee must work with law schools and say if AI is used to create or grade questions.

Affinity revenue funds legal aid, reporting

Affinity program revenue is shared after taxes and admin costs capped at 12% of revenue. In 2020 and 2021, the first $150,000 each year goes to the California Commission on Access to Justice. Remaining funds are split into three equal parts among designated recipients, including California ChangeLawyers, the California Lawyers Association (or its 501(c)(3)), and qualified legal services projects. Each statewide grant is at least $10,000, with a preference for rural or underserved areas and clients regardless of immigration status. Groups that receive these funds must report to the Legislature by January 31 each year, with the first multi‑year report due January 31, 2026 covering 2023–2025.

State Bar certification for ADR providers

The State Bar now runs a certification program for mediation and arbitration firms and practitioners. Certification checks ethics standards and requires complaint and remedy procedures. The program may offer tiers that show higher accountability, not quality. The State Bar may charge fees (possibly higher at first) to cover costs. It cannot use annual attorney license fee money to fund this program.

Stronger transparency and State Bar governance

The California Supreme Court appoints five attorney members to the State Bar board; each serves four years and may be reappointed once. The State Bar must follow the Bagley‑Keene Open Meeting Act, take public comment on all board agenda items, and may meet in closed session for discipline, exam security, moral character, and similar matters. A State Bar Court now hears discipline and reinstatement cases. State Bar Court records follow judicial court rules, not the Public Records Act, and the court cannot set professional conduct rules.

Ban on misleading 'notario' titles

Non‑lawyers cannot use literal translations that make the public think they are attorneys. The law bans translating “notary public” as “notario público” or “notario.” The State Bar can sue for up to $1,000 per day in civil penalties within four years, and courts may award attorneys’ fees. Penalties go to State Bar funds that support immigrant legal services and client protection, with annual reporting to the Legislature.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Thomas Umberg
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Diane Dixon
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 180 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/10/2025

Item 26 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote • 9/8/2025

Item 51 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 78 • No: 0

legislature vote • 6/24/2025

Vote in CX13

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/28/2025

Item 66 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 38 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/6/2025

Vote in CS53