Behested payments: public appeal for payment.

Senator Allen's measure modifies California's behested payment reporting requirements by creating new exemptions for public appeals made by elected officials and Public Utilities Commission members. Under current law, these officials must report payments over $5,000 made at their behest for legislative, governmental, or charitable purposes within 30 days.

The bill establishes that officials no longer need to report payments resulting from public appeals made through television, radio, billboards, online platforms, or public speeches. However, this exemption does not apply when the official or their immediate family, campaign staff, or office staff hold positions within the recipient non-governmental organization, including board memberships, salaried roles, founding member status, or advisory positions. The reporting requirement also remains in place if the official learns within two years that a specific payment was made in response to their appeal.

For public speeches, the reporting exemption excludes cases where the official knows the event's purpose is fundraising and they either consent to speak in advance, agree to be featured in solicitation materials, or directly request contributions. When officials do not initially know a payment resulted from their public appeal, the 30-day reporting window begins once they become aware of the connection. The bill maintains existing requirements that reports be forwarded to the Fair Political Practices Commission by state agencies and to designated filing officers by local agencies.