ELECTRONIC FILING OF FAIR
POLITICAL PRACTICES
COMMISSION CAMPAIGN
DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS
City Council Meeting
December 18, 2023
Agenda Item No. 18
Current Practice and
Recommendation
In 2020, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 2151, requiring all campaign filings to be posted on the City’s website within 72 hours of receipt.
Currently, filings are on paper, which requires significant staff time to redact appropriate information and post on the website.
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed Ordinance adding section 1.20.030, Electronic Filing of Campaign Disclosure Documents, to Chapter 1.20 of the
San Pablo Municipal Code.
This includes use an electronic filing system.
Background and Program Info
Implementation of the proposed system will require candidates to file electronically and be submitted directly to the City Clerk Office.
This ensures high integrity of data.
The proposed ordinance will allow for electronic and paperless filing of California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) campaign disclosure statements.
In 2023 the City of San Pablo entered into an agreement with SouthTech, Granicus, an electronic and paperless filing system for FPPC Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700) and Campaign Forms that has been certified by the California Secretary of State.
Breakdown
Government Code §84615 requires local jurisdictions that accept electronic campaign form filings to enact an ordinance, with required findings, approving the use of an electronic system.
The system is a web-based vendor hosted application that utilizes “industry best practices” for securing data, and stores and backs up data creating the essential safety measures and redundancy that will allow for recovery of information in the event of an emergency or disaster.
The data will be retained for the required minimum ten-year period. The system will be free of charge to those who use it. Electronic filings will promote transparency and provide timely viewing of campaign forms to members of the public.
Breakdown cont.
City Council candidates and campaign committees have
traditionally filed paper copies of required campaign statements and reports. Once filed, the documents are made available for review by the public.
Public access to campaign disclosure information is a vital and integral component of a fully informed voters. Transparency in campaign financing is critical to maintain public trust and support of the political process.
By adopting this proposed Ordinance, the City of San Pablo will conserve resources and ensure the public has access to
information disclosed in campaign statements and reports in a timelier manner.
Staff Recommendation
City Staff recommends the City Council formally consider the following:
1) Conduct Public Hearing; and
2) Introduce Ordinance and Waive First Reading of proposed Ordinance Amending Section 1.20.030 to the SPMC, under
Title 1, General Provisions, Chapter 1.20, Elections Relating to the Electronic Filing of Fair Political Practices Commission Campaign Disclosure Statements
Thank you
Questions ?