Political Ethics Reform

Streamlines the process for amending political reform laws by requiring internet publication instead of FPPC distribution. Requires public officials who manage investments to file economic interest statements electronically with the FPPC. Removes the 90-day deadline for filling vacancies on the Citizens Redistricting Commission. Expands enforcement authority by classifying violations of new filing requirements as misdemeanors.

Undeveloped "intent bill" that aims to make future changes to California's political reform laws.

Exempts elected officials from reporting charitable donations solicited through public media appeals. Requires reporting if the official or family member holds a position in the receiving organization. Sets a $5,000 threshold for reporting donations from a single source within a calendar year. Mandates disclosure within 30 days of learning a donation was made in response to a public appeal.

Prohibits state legislators from using nondisclosure agreements in the legislative process to increase transparency. Voids all legislative nondisclosure agreements created after the bill takes effect. Allows exceptions for agreements that only protect trade secrets and proprietary business information. Establishes criminal penalties for legislators who violate these nondisclosure agreement restrictions.

Requires public officials to disclose accepted job offers within 30 days of assuming or leaving office. Mandates annual reporting of prospective employment arrangements by specified government officials. Establishes criminal penalties for failing to disclose future employment arrangements. Requires detailed disclosure of employer information and business position in employment reports.

Prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or expenditures in state and local elections. Exempts DACA recipients from the foreign national restrictions on political contributions. Imposes fines equal to the contributed amount for violations of these restrictions.

Establishes the Billboard DISCLOSE Act to enhance transparency in political advertising disclosures. Permits shortened committee names and approved abbreviations on yard signs and billboards. Requires specific formatting and ordering of contributor disclosures on large political advertisements. Simplifies disclosure statements for independent expenditure ads to improve readability.

Requires public officials to disclose digital financial assets worth $2,000 or more starting January 2027. Expands financial disclosure requirements to include cryptocurrency and other digital assets. Mandates agencies to update their conflict of interest codes to include digital asset reporting. Creates criminal penalties for failing to disclose digital financial holdings.

Bans investor-owned utilities from making campaign contributions to state office candidates. Establishes violations of the contribution ban as a criminal misdemeanor. Requires a two-thirds legislative vote for passage. Creates no new costs for local agencies or school districts.

Requires elected officials to report payments made at their request over $5,000 within 30 days of each quarter. Mandates disclosure of relationships between officials and nonprofit organizations receiving payments. Requires reporting of any government proceedings involving the payment source within the past year. Allows officials to submit good faith payment estimates if exact amounts cannot be determined.

Requires committees to report ballot signature verification expenditures within 24 hours after an election. Mandates detailed disclosure of committee information and spending for signature verification activities. Establishes an online filing system for signature verification expense reports within two years. Applies to expenditures made between election day and final vote certification.

Creates exceptions for public officials to vote on nonprofit membership dues without conflict of interest violations. Applies only to decisions affecting labor organizations, business leagues, and chambers of commerce. Requires the decision to solely impact member dues or membership numbers, not the organization itself. Exempts officials from conflict rules when they receive income from these specific nonprofits.

Requires public agencies to include progressive discipline and due process provisions in labor agreements by 2026. Mandates binding arbitration for all labor disputes between public agencies and employee organizations. Guarantees paid time off for employee representatives investigating and handling grievances. Applies to all California cities including charter cities as a matter of statewide concern.

Bans campaign contributions in all state and local government office buildings to enhance political integrity. Eliminates the previous exception that allowed contributions in legislative district offices. Applies to buildings where government employees occupy more than 50% of office space. Violations of this campaign contribution ban are punishable as misdemeanors.

Expands the Fair Political Practices Commission's authority to audit local campaign finance and ethics laws. Removes the January 2026 expiration date for FPPC oversight of local campaign finance laws. Requires local governments to reimburse the FPPC for costs of enforcing their campaign finance laws. Excludes jurisdictions with populations over 3 million from FPPC oversight programs.

Increases the maximum campaign contribution limit for agency officers from $500 to $1,500. Requires automatic adjustments to contribution limits every two years based on inflation. Allows officers to cure violations by returning excess contributions within 30 days. Mandates disclosure of contributions over $1,500 made in the previous 12 months before agency decisions.

Establishes a public campaign financing system allowing candidates to receive government funds for elections. Requires candidates to demonstrate broad support through small-dollar donations to qualify for public funds. Prohibits using public funds for legal fees, fines, or repaying campaign loans. Increases penalties for foreign entities attempting to influence state and local elections.

Undeveloped "intent bill" that aims to restrict perks and increase accountability for elected officials. Proposes bans on gifts, stock trading, lobbying, and government pensions for legislators.