California Assembly Advances “Stop Nick Shirley Act” to Shield Taxpayer Fraud from Scrutiny

SACRAMENTO — The California Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 11-2 on April 13, 2026, to advance AB 2624, a bill critics call the “Stop Nick Shirley Act” for its potential to punish citizen journalists exposing fraud in immigrant service programs.

Authored by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), the measure would impose civil penalties starting at $4,000 on anyone filming or sharing videos of immigrant service providers if the provider claims harassment. It allows court orders to remove footage for up to four years, with triple damages for non-compliance and possible criminal charges for alleged doxxing.

The bill follows investigative journalist Nick Shirley’s videos revealing an estimated $170 million in suspected fraud at California daycares and hospices — many operating from empty lots or strip malls while billing taxpayers for services never provided to children or patients.

For hardworking California families already stretched by high taxes and living costs, the legislation raises fresh fears that lawmakers are prioritizing protection for questionable programs over accountability for public funds. Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R), who voted no along with Rep. Alexandra Macedo, called it “a direct attack on transparency and the First Amendment.”

The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.