SB 1354: The military: defense of the state. - California

08/25/26 - Enrolled → SB1354 · 1 edit

MINOR

No substantive policy changes occurred between these two versions. The diff reflects only differences in document formatting and presentation: the 'from' version is the formal enrolled legislative document with signature blocks, while the 'to' version is a web-page rendering of the same bill text from the California legislature website. All operative provisions are identical.

TECHNICAL

The document changed from a formal enrolled bill layout (with signature lines, page numbers, and legislative counsel's digest in a specific format) to a web-page presentation that includes navigation elements, version history, and the same bill text reformatted for online display. No changes to the actual legal provisions.

06/24/26 - Amended Assembly → 08/25/26 - Enrolled · 5 edits · Aug 25, 2026

MODERATE

This diff reflects the transition of SB 1354 from its final amended version to the enrolled (final) version after both chambers passed it. No substantive policy changes were made; the statutory text of Section 570 is identical in both versions. The differences are limited to removing amendment history, adding passage dates, stripping line numbers, and adding standard enrollment language such as the Governor's receipt and approval lines.

TECHNICAL

Removed all prior amendment dates (Senate March 25, April 23; Assembly June 18, June 24) and replaced them with final passage dates: Senate August 24, 2026 and Assembly August 19, 2026.

Removed the 'Introduced by Senator Archuleta (Principal coauthor: Senator Cervantes)' attribution line and the original introduction date of February 20, 2026.

Changed the digest header from 'SB 1354, as amended, Archuleta' to 'SB 1354, Archuleta', dropping the 'as amended' qualifier now that the bill is final.

Removed line-by-line numbering throughout the statutory text and removed the fiscal/vote summary line ('Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no.').

Added standard enrollment boilerplate including 'This bill was received by the Governor this day of, 2026' and an approval signature block for the Governor.

06/18/26 - Amended Assembly → 06/24/26 - Amended Assembly · 3 edits · Jun 24, 2026

MINOR

SB 1354 was amended to expand the exceptions to its core prohibition on out-of-state military personnel entering California without the Governor's permission. The bill now carves out two new categories of exempt activity: pre-existing interstate military compacts (those entered into before January 1, 2027) and educational courses or training exercises involving out-of-state military personnel in California. This significantly narrows the practical reach of the law by allowing certain cooperative military arrangements to continue without requiring a case-by-case gubernatorial approval.

SCOPE

Added an exception for military compacts entered into between one or more states prior to January 1, 2027. This means existing interstate military cooperation agreements are grandfathered in and do not require the Governor's permission.

Added an exception for educational courses or training exercises involving military personnel of another state, territory, or district taking place in California. This allows joint training and education activities to proceed without gubernatorial approval.

TECHNICAL

Subdivision (b) was restructured from a single-paragraph exception into a numbered list format with three sub-items, reflecting the addition of the two new exceptions.

04/23/26 - Amended Senate → 06/18/26 - Amended Assembly · 4 edits · Jun 18, 2026

MODERATE

The Assembly amendment removed the criminal penalty that the Senate version had created. The Senate version made it a crime punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and one year in jail for out-of-state military personnel to enter California without the Governor's permission. The Assembly version retains the prohibition but eliminates all specified punishment, effectively turning it from a criminal offense into a civil or administrative restriction with no stated penalty.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed in two ways: (1) it no longer creates a criminal offense, removing all enforcement penalties, and (2) the prohibition now explicitly applies only when personnel are performing duties 'for another state,' rather than any military or law enforcement activity within California.

ENFORCEMENT

The criminal penalty was entirely removed. The Senate version punished violations with a fine up to $10,000, county jail up to one year, or state prison under Penal Code Section 1170(h), or any combination. The Assembly version contains no penalty provision at all.

SCOPE

The prohibition now specifies that out-of-state military personnel may not enter to perform military duty or law enforcement functions 'for another state,' adding a clarifying phrase that narrows the scope to personnel acting on behalf of another state rather than any entry for such purposes.

FISCAL

Section 2, which contained standard language exempting the bill from state reimbursement requirements under Article XIIIB because it created a new crime, was removed entirely since no new crime is now being created.

TECHNICAL

The fiscal analysis changed from 'Fiscal committee: yes' and 'State-mandated local program: yes' to both 'no,' reflecting that the bill no longer creates a state-mandated local program by establishing a new crime.

03/25/26 - Amended Senate → 04/23/26 - Amended Senate · 4 edits · Apr 23, 2026

MODERATE

SB 1354 was narrowed to focus exclusively on its military defense provision. All renewable energy amendments to Section 25741 of the Public Resources Code were removed, along with related language in the bill title and legislative digest. The remaining core provision - making it a crime for out-of-state military personnel to enter California without the Governor's permission - is substantively unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly narrowed. It previously covered two unrelated topics - renewable energy definitions and out-of-state military entry restrictions. It now covers only the military defense provision (new Part 3 to Division 2 of the Military and Veterans Code).

SCOPE

All provisions amending Section 25741 of the Public Resources Code (renewable energy resources program definitions) were deleted. The bill no longer touches energy policy.

The bill title was shortened to reference only the Military and Veterans Code addition, removing the reference to the Public Resources Code and energy.

FISCAL

Fiscal committee vote changed from yes to no, and state-mandated local program designation changed from yes to no, likely reflecting the removal of the energy provisions that had triggered those designations.

TECHNICAL

Subdivisions in new Section 570 were renumbered: old (c) became (b) and old (d) became (c), with empty lines left where the old labels appeared, suggesting a subdivision was removed or this is a formatting artifact from the amendment process.

02/20/26 - Introduced → 03/25/26 - Amended Senate · 6 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MODERATE

SB 1354 was substantially expanded from a narrow energy definitions bill to also include a new criminal prohibition on out-of-state military personnel entering California without the Governor's permission. The added military provision creates a new crime punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and one year in county jail (or state prison), with an exception for personnel acting under federal authority. The original energy-related changes remain largely nonsubstantive.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded dramatically from a purely energy-related technical amendment to also encompass a significant national security and state sovereignty provision criminalizing unauthorized entry of out-of-state military forces into California.

SCOPE

Added Part 3 (Section 570) to Division 2 of the Military and Veterans Code, creating a new criminal prohibition on military personnel of another state, territory, or district entering California to perform military duty or law enforcement functions without the Governor's permission.

ENFORCEMENT

Established penalties for the new offense: fine not exceeding $10,000, county jail up to one year, imprisonment under Penal Code Section 1170(h) (state prison), or both fine and imprisonment.

ELIGIBILITY

Created an exception for military personnel called into active federal service under Title 10 of the U.S. Code who are acting under the authority of the President or the Secretary of Defense.

REQUIREMENT

Authorized the Governor to delegate permission-granting authority to the Adjutant General.

FISCAL

Changed fiscal notes from 'no' to 'yes' for both fiscal committee and state-mandated local program, because creating a new crime imposes a state-mandated local program. Added a no-reimbursement provision based on the standard exception for acts that create or change crimes.

TECHNICAL

Made minor nonsubstantive edits to the energy definitions in Section 25741 of the Public Resources Code, including removing 'any' before 'additions or enhancements' and a small wording fix in the retail seller definition.

The military: defense of the state.

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