AB 2584 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Self-defense.

Summary

Existing law authorizes necessary force to be used to protect from wrongful injury the person or property of oneself, or of a spouse, child, parent, or other relative, or member of one's family, or of a ward, servant, master, or guest. This bill, the Preemptive Self Defense Act of 2026, would also specify that there shall not be any civil liability on the part of, and no cause of action shall accrue against, a person who lawfully resists a public offense, as specified.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 20, 2026 Last action Apr 28, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

02/20/26 - Introduced → 03/26/26 - Amended Assembly · 3 edits · Mar 26, 2026

MINOR

The amendment to AB 2584 is primarily a technical cleanup that removes redundant and contradictory language (such as 'his their' and leftover editing artifacts) from Sections 692 and 693 of the Penal Code. The bill is now formally named the 'Preemptive Self Defense Act of 2026.' The core policy provisions - including the right to act preemptively against an imminent threat, the definition of imminent threat, the civil liability shield, and the prohibition on considering a person's fighting background - remain substantively unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Removed redundant and contradictory pronoun language in Section 693 (e.g., 'his their' changed to 'their', 'some member thereof' removed) and cleaned up leftover editing artifacts in Section 692.

Fiscal committee answer changed from 'yes' to 'no,' indicating no state fiscal impact was identified after amendment.

DEFINITION

The bill is now formally designated as the 'Preemptive Self Defense Act of 2026,' giving it a specific statutory name.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

In committee: Set, first hearing. Testimony taken.

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

lower

Mar 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read second time and amended.

lower

Mar 25, 2026

Introduced

From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 24).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD.

lower

Feb 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors