ITEM 3.3
Ordinance Aligning Ethics Training
Requirements with State Law
2 Background
• Union City requires Commissioners and alternates to complete at least two hours of ethics training.
• The Municipal Code currently allows one year to complete the initial training. • Senate Bill 827 changed the state deadline for officials who begin service on or after January 1, 2026.
• Those officials must now complete the initial training within six months.
3 Proposed Ordinance
• Officials who began service before January 1, 2026, would retain the one-year deadline. • Officials who begin service on or after January 1, 2026, would have six months to complete the initial training.
• If state law changes again, the deadline required by state law would control. • The amendment would keep the Municipal Code aligned with current and future state requirements.
4 What Would Remain Unchanged
• The two-year ethics training renewal cycle would remain unchanged. • Harassment-prevention training requirements would remain unchanged. • Proof of completion, reminders, and consequences for noncompliance would remain unchanged.
• There is no material fiscal impact, and no additional appropriation is requested.
5 Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council waive full reading and introduce by title only the proposed ordinance amending Union City Municipal Code Section 2.20.100(A)(1) to align the initial ethics-training deadline with Government Code Section 53235.1(b)(1) and maintain alignment with future amendments or a successor provision.