Legislative record

Political Reform Act of 1974.

(1) The Political Reform Act of 1974 establishes the Fair Political Practices Commission and authorizes the commission to appoint officers, counsel, and employees consistent with applicable civil service laws. The act prohibits the commission from including a nonclerical position in the same civil service class as any position of any other department or agency. This bill would instead authorize the commission to do so. (2) The act requires an individual, before becoming a candidate for a specific office, to file a statement of intention to be a candidate. The act requires an individual who intends to be a candidate for elective state office to file the statement of intention online or electronically with the Secretary of State. This bill would expand the state offices for which a candidate must file their statement of intention online or electronically with the Secretary of State to include judicial offices. (3) Under the act, lobbyists, lobbying firms, and lobbyist employers who send any written or printed invitation to an elected state officer, candidate for elective state office, legislative official, or agency official, are required to include on the invitation or on a letter attached to the invitation a statement that "Attendance at this event by a public official will constitute acceptance of a reportable gift." The statement must be typed, printed, or handwritten at least as large and readable as 8-point Roman boldface type, in a color or print that contrasts with the background so as to be easily legible. This bill would increase the minimum text size of the required statement to 10-point Roman boldface type. (4) The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act's purposes upon a 23 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements. This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.