Legislation and Policy Committee Staff
Report Page 1 of 2 November 10, 2025
Agenda Item No. 4.1
DATE: November 10, 2025
TO: Members of the Legislation and Policy Committee
FROM: Thai Nam Pham, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Amendments to Union City Municipal Code Chapter 2.05 (Campaign Reporting Requirements) to Align Electronic Filing Thresholds with State Law
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends that the Legislation and Policy Committee review and discuss a proposed amendment to Union City Municipal Code Chapter 2.05 (Campaign Reporting Requirements) to ensure consistency with current provisions of the California Political Reform Act (Government Code § 84615). The proposed change would adjust the monetary threshold that determines which filers are exempt from mandatory electronic filing of campaign disclosure statements, lowering the exemption level from $2,000 to $1,000, in alignment with state law.
BACKGROUND
In April 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 921-24 updating Chapter 2.05 of the Union City Municipal Code to include a mandatory electronic filing requirement for campaign statements and reports. Section 2.05.050(A) currently requires all candidates, committees, and elected officials to file electronically, except those who both receive less than $2,000 in contributions and make less than $2,000 in expenditures in a calendar year.
Under Government Code § 84615, a local government agency may require online or electronic filing of campaign disclosure statements. Still, it must exempt filers who receive less than $1,000 in contributions and make less than $1,000 in expenditures in a calendar year. The statute establishes this $1,000 figure as the minimum threshold for exemption.
Because the City’s ordinance sets a higher exemption threshold ($2,000), it currently exceeds the level contemplated by state law. While the intent was to simplify filing obligations for small filers, maintaining a different standard could expose the City to potential conflicts with the Political Reform Act or confuse filers and enforcement agencies.
Agenda Item No. 4.1
Legislation and Policy Committee Staff
Report Page 2 of 2 November 10, 2025
DISCUSSION
Amending Section 2.05.050(A) to reflect the state-mandated threshold would ensure compliance and uniformity with the Political Reform Act. The proposed language revision is as follows:
Current:
“... except an elected officer, candidate, committee, or other person who receives contributions totaling less than $2,000 and makes expenditures totaling less than $2,000 in a calendar year ...”
Proposed Amendment:
“... except an elected officer, candidate, committee, or other person who receives contributions totaling less than $1,000 and makes expenditures totaling less than $1,000 in a calendar year ...”
This change would align the City’s ordinance with Government Code § 84615(a) and reduce the risk of inconsistency with state regulations governing local electronic filing systems.
Additionally, staff will ensure that any conforming edits maintain the existing requirements for data integrity, compatibility with the Secretary of State’s standardized format, and public access provisions.
FISCAL IMPACT
None. The City’s existing electronic filing platform (NetFile) will continue to operate within current licensing costs.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Legislation and Policy Committee:
1. Review and discuss the proposed amendment to UCMC § 2.05.050(A); and
2. Provide direction to staff on whether to prepare a formal ordinance amendment for City Council consideration.
Prepared by: Thai Nam Pham, City Clerk
Attachments:
1. Current UCMC § 2.05