State Assembly Approves Assemblyman Bob Huff’s AB 2323

AB 2323, a bill by Assemblyman Bob Huff that would expand background checks for state escrow license applicants to include federal conviction or arrest information, recently passed the Assembly floor by a 75-0 vote. Current law only requires a state criminal investigation of new escrow licensees.

“I am proud that AB 2323 earned support from both sides of the aisle,” Assemblyman Huff remarked. “The status quo is intolerable. Under the current escrow law, the Department of Corporations is required to submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for all potential license candidates, for purpose of obtaining information as to the existence of state criminal convictions or arrests only. This loophole can be exploited by out-of-state criminal elements, exposing California consumers to unnecessary risk.”

“By expanding escrow license examinations to also include information from the FBI for any federal convictions or arrests, Californians can rest assured that their escrow agents do not have criminal backgrounds,” the Assemblyman concluded. “AB 2323 is a public safety imperative and I look forward to guiding it through the State Senate.”