Senator Roger Niello has publicly expressed support for Assembly Bill 1370, a measure aimed at increasing transparency in the California Legislature. In a series of posts on October 8, 2025, Niello outlined his position and the objectives of the proposed legislation.
In one post, Niello questioned current legislative practices: “Should politicians be able to secretly negotiate laws that affect you? I say NO! That’s why I’m a proud supporter of @Patterdude’s NDA bill, Assembly Bill 1370. 1/3 https://t.co/lATR852o1m” (October 8, 2025).
He further explained the bill’s provisions in another message: “This legislation bans legislators from signing or requesting a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) when they are drafting or discussing proposed legislation. NDAs in the legislature are a dangerous loophole that lets a powerful few hide backroom deals from the public. 2/3” (October 8, 2025).
Niello concluded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of openness in government: “Transparency is the foundation of our democracy. Assembly Bill 1370 is a critical step to ensure that no legislator can hide behind an NDA and that the people’s business is done in an open and transparent process. #CALeg 3/3” (October 8, 2025).
Assembly Bill 1370 seeks to prohibit members of the California Legislature from entering into or requesting nondisclosure agreements during legislative negotiations or drafting processes. The use of NDAs in legislative settings has drawn criticism from some lawmakers and advocacy groups who argue that such agreements can limit public access to information about how laws are made and negotiated.
California’s legislative process has faced scrutiny over transparency issues in recent years, with calls for reforms to ensure greater accountability and openness in state government operations.
