By Assemblyman Josh Hoover
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – On Feb.23, Assemblyman Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) announced the introduction of Assembly Bill 2445, which would prohibit the demolition of the historic State Capitol West Steps and bring much needed transparency to the Capitol Annex Project by voiding existing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
"Taxpayers deserve to know the true cost of the Capitol Annex,” Assemblyman Hoover said. “Unfortunately, NDAs have allowed the project to be shrouded in secrecy for far too long. This bill will restore transparency and public trust in taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects.”
Under current law, a visitor center is slated to replace the historic West Steps at the California State Capitol. AB 2445 would prohibit the demolition of the West Steps for this purpose and require any future visitor center to be placed elsewhere on Capitol grounds. The bill would also void existing NDAs involving the Capitol Annex Project and prohibit NDAs for future public infrastructure projects funded by taxpayer dollars.
“For generations the West Steps of the State Capitol have been a place where all Californians, regardless of background, have come to petition their government and make their voices heard,” Hoover added. “It’s imperative that we preserve the historic West Steps for future generations.”
In November, Assemblymembers Josh Hoover and Joe Patterson sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom asking for his help in ensuring a full accounting of the $1.1 billion taxpayer dollars that are allocated to be spent on the Capitol Annex Project. One month later the Joint Assembly Rules Committee released a “State Capitol Annex Project Construction Update,” the first formal public update since 2021. Hoover criticized this update as “insufficient” following investigative reports by KCRA highlighting an ongoing lack of transparency.
Josh Hoover represents Assembly District 7.
