Fair Political Practices Commission.

Assembly Member Ramos proposes expanding the Fair Political Practices Commission's (FPPC) authority over local campaign finance and government ethics laws by adding audit powers and removing the current January 2026 sunset date. The legislation would allow the FPPC to continue entering agreements with local government agencies to oversee their campaign finance and ethics regulations, while adding auditing capabilities to its existing powers of investigation, civil enforcement, and advisory services.

The bill modifies the agreement framework between the FPPC and local agencies by requiring Department of General Services review of cost reimbursement terms and maintaining the 90-day standard termination notice. Local agencies must consult with the FPPC before modifying relevant laws, and the FPPC must publicly list all jurisdictions with active agreements on its website. The provisions exclude jurisdictions with populations over 3 million, and the bill removes separate provisions specific to San Bernardino County.

These changes would create a permanent structure for FPPC oversight of local campaign finance and ethics laws when requested by local agencies, replacing the current temporary program set to expire in 2026. The bill eliminates requirements for the FPPC to report to the Legislature about agreement performance while preserving core elements like mutual agreement requirements and cost reimbursement provisions.