AB 350 Summary

• Requires political subdivisions changing to or establishing district-based elections to hold at least two public hearings before drawing preliminary district maps and at least two additional hearings after draft maps are published, with specified timelines and public notice requirements.

• Mandates that draft maps be published at least seven days before consideration at hearings, and any revised maps be published for at least seven days before adoption.

• Requires prospective California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) plaintiffs to send written notice by certified mail to the political subdivision 45 days before filing suit, allowing the subdivision time to pass a resolution of intention to transition to district-based elections (which extends the filing delay to 90 days).

• Permits prospective plaintiffs who sent written notice to recover reasonable costs for work supporting the notice, capped at $30,000 adjusted annually for inflation, if the political subdivision adopts a district-based elections ordinance.

• Establishes that reimbursement costs mandated to local agencies shall be made pursuant to state statutory procedures for state-mandated local programs.