Elections: seizure of election materials.

Added a new Section 18579 to the Elections Code making it a felony (16 months or 2 or 3 years in state prison) for any person who seizes or causes or assists in the seizure of ballots, election records, or certified voting technology before election results are certified under Section 15372.

Added extensive legislative findings (Section 1) declaring that the current federal Administration poses nonspeculative threats to interfere in California elections, that there is no legitimate law enforcement reason to seize ballots before certification, and that California has a compelling need to strengthen criminal laws to deter interference with ballot processing.

The bill's title and digest were expanded to cover both housing discrimination (source of income) and elections (seizure of election materials), changing it from a single-topic bill to a dual-topic bill.

Added a separate felony penalty (2, 3, or 4 years in state prison) for any person with authority who directs one or more persons under their supervision to engage in the prohibited seizure conduct.

Added definitions for 'seize' and 'seizure' (removal from custody of authorized elections officials), 'certified voting technology' (same meaning as Section 17600), and 'election record' (documents subject to preservation requirements in Sections 17300-17306).

Added an urgency statute provision (Section 5) declaring the act must take effect immediately so that the election security protections apply to the November 3, 2026 statewide general election.

Vote requirement changed from majority to two-thirds, and state-mandated local program designation changed from 'no' to 'yes' due to the new criminal provisions imposing costs on local agencies.

Added a severability clause (Section 3) and a no-reimbursement provision (Section 4) stating that no reimbursement is required under Article XIII B because the act creates new crimes or changes penalties within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.

The exemption from source-of-income discrimination for establishing preferences in favor of subsidized housing applicants was narrowed from applying to any housing provider to applying only to local jurisdictions, public housing authorities or affiliates, public agencies, and limited or general partnerships in which a public housing authority is a partner.

The bill summary was updated to reflect that the exemption now applies specifically to 'a public agency or a similar entity' rather than broadly to any party establishing such policies or preferences.

A new subdivision (labeled (B), likely a drafting error for (C)) was added to Section 12955(p)(2) stating that establishing policies or preferences in favor of an applicant or tenant who qualifies for or participates in federal, state, or local housing subsidy programs, including but not limited to Section 8 vouchers under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, does not constitute discrimination based on source of income.

The legislative counsel's digest was updated to reflect the new language about establishing policies or preferences in favor of housing subsidy program participants, broadening the stated purpose of the bill beyond just prioritization.