The Political Reform Act of 1974, a ballot initiative enacted by California voters as Proposition 9, established the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The FPPC is in charge of campaign finance and expenditures, financial conflicts of interest, lobbyist registration and reporting, and post-government employment. It also involves mass mailings at the expense of the taxpayers, as well as gifts and honoraria paid to public officials and politicians.
What Does This Act Say?
According to the Act, cities must develop and implement a separate Conflict of Interest Code, and employees, commissioners, committee members. And elected officials listed in the code must file Statements of Economic Interests. However, the Conflict of Interest Code is administered at the municipal level by the Filing Officer who notifies each designated filer of his or her filing responsibility. Officials named in the Conflict of Interest Code must file an Assuming Office Statement. When they take on a defined post, an Annual Statement each year. And a Leaving Office Statement within thirty days of resignation or termination. However, candidates for elected offices must submit a Candidate Statement. Each statement has its reporting period and filing deadline.
Fair Political Practices Commission Filings:
- The Recipient Committee Campaign Statement (Form 460) used by candidate-controlled committees to record campaign activity for all semi-annual, pre-election, and supplemental pre-election statements.
- Most state and municipal government officials and employees required under the Political Reform Act to publicly disclose their assets and income. They must also refrain from participating in choices that may have an impact on their economic interests. The state institution responsible for issuing the associated Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700. And interpreting the law’s terms is the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
- The Payment to Agency Report (Form 801) used to report payments received by state and municipal governments. FPPC Regulations 18944 and 18950.1 establish a procedure for state and local agencies to adopt when disclosing payments made by a third party for agency activities. The regulations’ reporting procedures provide an alternate method for disclosing payment to a benefited employee. That would otherwise be considered income or a gift and subject to reporting on a Statement of Economic Interest, Form 700.
- State and local governments may use New Positions in the Agency (Form 804) to identify new positions. However, that will make or participate in making governmental decisions on their behalf.
- The Agency Report of Public Official Appointments (Form 806) used to report additional remuneration that officials earn when serving on committees, boards, or commissions of a public agency, special district, or joint powers agency or authority. A city council member may nominated to represent the city on a joint powers insurance authority. A metropolitan planning organization, or the mayor. Each agency must provide a single Form 806 on its website that identifies all paid appointed jobs. Form 806 revised if there a change salary or a new appointment. As changes occur, the form must rapidly updated.
