CA SB851

State and local agencies must notify the Secretary of State and Attorney General within 3 court days of filing or being served with election-related federal law claims, and provide draft settlement agreements at least 14 days before finalizing them

Election officials' duties to certify election results and submit them to governing bodies within 30 days are designated as "ministerial and nondiscretionary," and the Secretary of State must notify the district attorney or Attorney General if officials fail to certify results

Criminalizes hiring uniformed federal law enforcement officers (not just state peace officers) to be stationed at polling places or county elections offices without authorization, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or $10,000 fine

Expands ballot fraud crimes to include displaying envelopes (not just containers) intended to deceive voters into using unofficial ballot return methods, punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment and/or $1,000 fine

Replaces requirement that voting system standards meet U.S. Election Assistance Commission guidelines with requirement to meet Help America Vote Act of 2002 minimums and incorporate "best practices in election technology"