Legislative record

Lobbyist ethics.

Existing law requires the legislative ethics committee of each house of the Legislature to conduct at least semiannually an orientation course on the relevant ethical issues and laws related to lobbying, in consultation with the Fair Political Practices Commission. Existing law requires the committees to impose fees on lobbyists for attending these courses, as specified. This bill would, commencing on January 1, 2029, require the Fair Political Practices Commission to develop, maintain, and offer an orientation course for registered lobbyists on the relevant ethical issues and laws relating to lobbying, and on each house of the Legislature's policies against harassment, including sexual harassment, in connection with lobbying activities. The bill would require the course be developed with the legislative ethics committees and give the committees final approval over the content of the course that relates to the Legislature's polices against harassment. The bill would require the course be available on-demand through an online platform, internet webpage, or application. The bill would authorize the commission to impose a fee on a lobbyist for the course, as specified. The bill would update cross-references. The Political Reform Act of 1974 requires individual lobbyists to prepare certifications, as specified, for filing with the Secretary of State. The act also requires lobbying firms and certain lobbyist employers to register with the Secretary of State. A violation of the act is punishable as a misdemeanor, and any person convicted of violating the act is prohibited from acting as a lobbyist for 4 years following the date of conviction, except as specified. This bill would prohibit a person who has been convicted of a crime of public corruption, as defined, from serving as a lobbyist for 12 years following the date of conviction. The bill would also void an existing lobbying certification in the event of such a conviction. The bill would prohibit the Secretary of State from accepting a lobbying certification from any person unless it includes a statement signed under penalty of perjury that the person has not been convicted of a crime of public corruption within the previous 12 years. Because these provisions would be part of the Political Reform Act of 1974 and a violation would therefore be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.