text:
(a) Any local government agency which has enacted, enacts, amends, or repeals an ordinance or other provision of law affecting campaign contributions and expenditures shall file a copy of the action with the commission.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 81013, no local government agency shall enact any ordinance imposing filing requirements additional to or different from those set forth in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 84100) for elections held in its jurisdiction unless the additional or different filing requirements apply only to the candidates seeking election in that jurisdiction, their controlled committees or committees formed or existing primarily to support or oppose their candidacies, and to committees formed or existing primarily to support or oppose a candidate or to support or oppose the qualification of, or passage of, a local ballot measure which is being voted on only in that jurisdiction, and to city or county general purpose committees active only in that city or county, respectively.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 674, Sec. 1.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


kind: section

code: GOV

text:
With respect to reports and statements filed with a filing officer pursuant to this title, the filing officer shall:

(a) Supply the necessary forms and manuals prescribed by the Commission;

(b) Determine whether required documents have been filed and, if so, whether they conform on their face with the requirements of this title;

(c) Notify promptly all persons and known committees who have failed to file a report or statement in the form and at the time required by this title;

(d) Report apparent violations of this title to the appropriate agencies; and

(e) Compile and maintain a current list of all reports and statements filed with this office.

history: (History: Amended (as added June 4, 1974, by Prop. 9) by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 131. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022. Superseded on operative date of amendment by Stats. 2018, Ch. 662.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM

chapter: 1. General

path: 9. POLITICAL REFORM > 1. General


text:
For reports and statements filed with a filing officer pursuant to this title, the filing officer shall do all of the following:

(a) Supply the necessary forms and manuals prescribed by the Commission.

(b) Determine whether required documents have been filed and, if so, whether they conform on their face with the requirements of this title.

(c) Notify promptly all persons and known committees who have failed to file a report or statement in the form and at the time required by this title.

(d) Report apparent violations of this title to the appropriate agencies.

(e) Compile and maintain a current list of all reports and statements filed with this office.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 662, Sec. 6. (SB 1239) Effective January 1, 2019. Conditionally operative on date prescribed by Stats. 2018, Ch. 662, Sec. 44. Conditionally superseded; see amendment by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
For reports and statements filed with a filing officer pursuant to this title, the filing officer shall do all of the following:

(a) Supply the necessary reports and manuals prescribed by the Commission.

(b) Determine whether required information has been filed and, if so, whether it conforms on its face with the requirements of this title.

(c) Notify promptly all persons and known committees who have failed to file a report or statement in the manner and at the time required by this title.

(d) Report apparent violations of this title to the appropriate agencies.

(e) Compile and maintain a current list of all reports and statements filed with this office.

history: (History: Amended (as amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 662, Sec. 6) by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278, Sec. 4. (AB 808) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally operative pursuant to Sec. 78 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 278. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: A filing officer or filing official’s failure to comply with a duty or to provide notice of a filing or disclosure obligation does not affect a person’s duty to file statements and reports disclosing information as required by this title or any enforceable conflict of interest code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 312, Sec. 2. (AB 902) Effective January 1, 2020.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the election precinct of a person signing a statewide petition shall not be required to appear on the petition when it is filed with the county elections official, nor any additional information regarding a signer other than the information required to be written by the signer.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 221, Sec. 44. Effective January 1, 2003.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
This title may be amended or repealed by the procedures set forth in this section. If any portion of subdivision (a) is declared invalid, then subdivision (b) shall be the exclusive means of amending or repealing this title.

(a) This title may be amended to further its purposes by statute, passed in each house by rollcall vote entered in the journal, two-thirds of the membership concurring and signed by the Governor, if at least 8 days before passage in each house, or at least 12 days before passage in each house if the previous form of the bill did not amend this title, the bill in its final form has been printed, distributed to the Members of the Legislature, and published on the internet.

(b) This title may be amended or repealed by a statute that becomes effective only when approved by the electors.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 331, Sec. 2. (SB 852) Effective January 1, 2026. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) The Legislative Counsel shall, through the information system described in Section 10248, make available to the public the option to sign up to receive an email alert any time any of the following actions occur:

(1) A new bill that would amend this title is introduced.

(2) An existing bill that would amend this title is amended, referred to the floor or committee, voted on, or is otherwise subject to an action triggering a notification by the information system described in Section 10248.

(3) An existing bill that would not amend this title is amended to include provisions that would amend this title.

(b) The email alerts described in subdivision (a) shall be sent in the shortest feasible time, but no later than 9 a.m. the calendar day after the legislative action that is subject to the alert.

(c) All email alerts sent through the information system described in Section 10248 regarding bills that would amend this title shall include the text “Political Reform Act Bill” in the email subject line.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 499, Sec. 3. (SB 681) Effective January 1, 2024.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: Nothing in this title prevents the Legislature or any other state or local agency from imposing additional requirements on any person if the requirements do not prevent the person from complying with this title. If any act of the Legislature conflicts with the provisions of this title, this title shall prevail.

history: (History: Added June 4, 1974, by initiative Proposition 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: Whenever any reference is made in this title to a federal or state statute and that statute has been or is subsequently repealed or amended, the Commission may promulgate regulations to carry out the intent of this title as nearly as possible.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: If any provision of this title, or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstances, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this title to the extent it can be given effect, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby, and to this end the provisions of this title are severable.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the definitions set forth in this chapter shall govern the interpretation of this title.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM

chapter: 2. Definitions

path: 9. POLITICAL REFORM > 2. Definitions


text: “Adjusting an amount for cost-of-living changes” means adjusting the amount received the previous year by an amount determined at the beginning of each fiscal year by the Director of Finance corresponding to amounts authorized from the salary and price increase items as set forth in the Budget Act and other cost-of-living adjustments on the same basis as those applied routinely to other state agencies.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. 199. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Administrative action” means any of the following:

(1) The proposal, drafting, development, consideration, amendment, enactment, or defeat by any state agency of any rule, regulation, or other action in any ratemaking proceeding or any quasi-legislative proceeding, including any proceeding governed by Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2.

(2) With regard only to placement agents, the decision by any state agency to enter into a contract to invest state public retirement system assets on behalf of a state public retirement system.

(3) Any decision or approval pursuant to Section 1215.2 of the Insurance Code or Section 1399.65 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) “Ratemaking proceeding” means, for the purposes of a proceeding before the Public Utilities Commission, any proceeding in which it is reasonably foreseeable that a rate will be established, including, but not limited to, general rate cases, performance-based ratemaking, and other ratesetting mechanisms.

(c) “Quasi-legislative proceeding” means, for purposes of a proceeding before the Public Utilities Commission, any proceeding that involves consideration of the establishment of a policy that will apply generally to a group or class of persons, including, but not limited to, rulemakings and investigations that may establish rules affecting an entire industry.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 456, Sec. 1. (AB 1783) Effective January 1, 2023. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Agency” means any state agency or local government agency.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Agency official” means any member, officer, employee, or consultant of any state agency who as part of that person’s official responsibilities participates in any administrative action in other than a purely clerical, secretarial, or ministerial capacity.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 133. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Arrangement for prospective employment” means an agreement pursuant to which a prospective employer’s offer of employment has been accepted by the prospective employee, including through verbal or written acceptance.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 186, Sec. 1. (AB 1286) Effective January 1, 2026.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
“Behested payment” means a payment that is made at the behest of a committee, an elected officer, a member of the Public Utilities Commission, or an agent thereof, under any of the following circumstances:

(a) Full and adequate consideration is received from the committee or elected officer.

(b) The payment is made to a different candidate or to a committee not controlled by the behesting candidate.

(c) As to an elected officer, it is clear from the surrounding circumstances that the payment was made for purposes unrelated to the officer’s seeking or holding of elective office. For purposes of this subdivision, a payment is made for purposes related to an elected officer’s seeking or holding of elective office if all or a portion of the payment is used for election-related activities, as defined in Section 82022.5. The following types of payments are presumed to be for purposes unrelated to an elected officer’s seeking or holding of elective office:

(1) A payment made principally for personal purposes, in which case it may be considered a gift under the provisions of Section 82028. Payments that are otherwise subject to the limits of Section 86203 are presumed to be principally for personal purposes.

(2) A payment made by a state, local, or federal governmental agency.

(3) A payment made by a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(4) A payment made principally for charitable purposes.

(5) A payment made principally for legislative or governmental purposes by a person other than a state, local, or federal governmental agency.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 749, Sec. 2. (AB 867) Effective January 1, 2018.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Business entity” means any organization or enterprise operated for profit, including but not limited to a proprietorship, partnership, firm, business trust, joint venture, syndicate, corporation or association.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Campaign statement” means an itemized report which is prepared on a form prescribed by the Commission and which provides the information required by Chapter 4 of this title.

history: (History: Added June 4, 1974, by initiative Proposition 9. Superseded on operative date of amendment by Stats. 2018, Ch. 662.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Campaign statement” means an itemized report that is prepared on a form or in a manner prescribed by the Commission and that provides the information required by Chapters 4 and 5 of this title.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 662, Sec. 7. (SB 1239) Effective January 1, 2019. Conditionally operative on date prescribed by Stats. 2018, Ch. 662, Sec. 44. Conditionally superseded; see amendment by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Campaign report” means an itemized report that is prepared in a manner prescribed by the Commission and that provides the information required by Chapters 4 and 5 of this title.

history: (History: Amended (as amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 662, Sec. 7) by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278, Sec. 5. (AB 808) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally operative pursuant to Sec. 78 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 278.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Candidate” means any of the following:

(1) Anyone who is listed on a ballot or is qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to any elective office.

(2) Anyone who receives a contribution, makes an expenditure, or gives their consent for another person to receive a contribution or make an expenditure, to bring about the person’s nomination or election to an elective office, even if any of the following apply:

(A) The specific elective office for which the person will seek nomination or election is unknown at the time the contribution is received or the expenditure is made.

(B) The person has not announced the candidacy or filed a declaration of candidacy.

(3) An elected officer, including any elected officer who is the subject of a recall.

(b) Anyone who becomes a candidate retains candidate status until that status is terminated under Section 84214.

(c) “Candidate” does not include any candidate, as defined in Section 30101(2) of Title 52 of the United States Code, for federal office, as to the person’s activities related to seeking nomination or election to that federal office.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 312, Sec. 4. (AB 902) Effective January 1, 2020.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “City” means a general law or a chartered city.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Clerk” refers to the city or county clerk unless the city council or board of supervisors has designated any other agency to perform the specified function.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Closing date” means the date through which any report or statement filed under this title is required to be complete.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
“Code reviewing body” means all of the following:

(a) The commission, with respect to the conflict of interest code of a state agency other than an agency in the judicial branch of government, or any local government agency with jurisdiction in more than one county.

(b) The board of supervisors, with respect to the conflict of interest code of any county agency other than the board of supervisors, or any agency of the judicial branch of government, and of any local government agency, other than a city agency, with jurisdiction wholly within the county.

(c) The city council, with respect to the conflict of interest code of any city agency other than the city council.

(d) The Attorney General, with respect to the conflict of interest code of the commission.

(e) The Chief Justice of California or the Chief Justice’s designee, with respect to the conflict of interest code of the members of the Judicial Council, Commission on Judicial Performance, and Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California.

(f) The Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California with respect to the conflict of interest code of the State Bar of California.

(g) The Chief Justice of California, the administrative presiding judges of the courts of appeal, and the presiding judges of superior courts, or their designees, with respect to the conflict of interest code of any agency of the judicial branch of government subject to the immediate administrative supervision of that court.

(h) The Judicial Council of California, with respect to the conflict of interest code of any state agency within the judicial branch of government not included under subdivisions (e), (f), and (g).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 489, Sec. 1. (SB 1476) Effective January 1, 2025. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Commission” means the Fair Political Practices Commission.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
“Committee” means any person or combination of persons who directly or indirectly does any of the following:

(a) Receives contributions totaling two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more in a calendar year.

(b) Makes independent expenditures totaling one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more in a calendar year; or

(c) Makes contributions totaling ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more in a calendar year to or at the behest of candidates or committees.

A person or combination of persons that becomes a committee shall retain its status as a committee until such time as that status is terminated pursuant to Section 84214.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 364, Sec. 1. (AB 594) Effective January 1, 2016. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Conflict of Interest Code” means a set of rules and regulations adopted by an agency pursuant to Chapter 7 of this title.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Contribution” means a payment, a forgiveness of a loan, a payment of a loan by a third party, or an enforceable promise to make a payment, except to the extent that full and adequate consideration is received or if it is clear from the surrounding circumstances that the payment is not made for political purposes.

(b) “Contribution” includes all of the following:

(1) The purchase of tickets for events such as dinners, luncheons, rallies, and similar fundraising events; the candidate’s own money or property used on behalf of the candidate’s candidacy, other than personal funds of the candidate used to pay either a filing fee for a declaration of candidacy or a candidate statement prepared pursuant to Section 13307 of the Elections Code; the granting of discounts or rebates not extended to the public generally or the granting of discounts or rebates by television and radio stations and newspapers not extended on an equal basis to all candidates for the same office; the payment of compensation by any person for the personal services or expenses of any other person if the services are rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of a candidate or committee without payment of full and adequate consideration.

(2) The transfer of anything of value received by a committee from another committee, unless full and adequate consideration is received.

(3) The payment of public moneys by a state or local governmental agency for a communication to the public that satisfies both of the following:

(A) The communication expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a clearly identified measure, or, taken as a whole and in context, unambiguously urges a particular result in an election.

(B) The communication is made at the behest of the affected candidate or committee.

(4) A payment made by a person to a multipurpose organization as defined and described in Section 84222.

(5) (A)   A payment made by a lobbyist or a cohabitant of a lobbyist for costs related to a fundraising event held at the home of the lobbyist, including the value of the use of the home as a fundraising event venue. A payment described in this paragraph is attributable to the lobbyist for purposes of Section 85702.

(B) A payment made by a lobbying firm for costs related to a fundraising event held at the office of the lobbying firm, including the value of the use of the office as a fundraising event venue.

(c) “Contribution” does not include any of the following:

(1) Amounts received pursuant to an enforceable promise to the extent those amounts have been previously reported as a contribution. However, the fact that those amounts have been received shall be indicated in the appropriate campaign statement.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), a payment made by an occupant of a home or office for costs related to any meeting or fundraising event held in the occupant’s home or office if the costs for the meeting or fundraising event are five hundred dollars ($500) or less.

(3) Volunteer personal services or payments made by any individual for the individual’s own travel expenses if the payments are made voluntarily without any understanding or agreement that they will be, directly or indirectly, repaid to the individual.

(4) A behested payment, as defined in Section 82004.5, but only as to the behesting committee, elected officer, or member of the Public Utilities Commission.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 135. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022. Conditionally superseded; see amendment by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Contribution” means a payment, a forgiveness of a loan, a payment of a loan by a third party, or an enforceable promise to make a payment, except to the extent that full and adequate consideration is received or if it is clear from the surrounding circumstances that the payment is not made for political purposes.

(b) “Contribution” includes all of the following:

(1) The purchase of tickets for events such as dinners, luncheons, rallies, and similar fundraising events; the candidate’s own money or property used on behalf of the candidate’s candidacy, other than personal funds of the candidate used to pay either a filing fee for a declaration of candidacy or a candidate statement prepared pursuant to Section 13307 of the Elections Code; the granting of discounts or rebates not extended to the public generally or the granting of discounts or rebates by television and radio stations and newspapers not extended on an equal basis to all candidates for the same office; the payment of compensation by any person for the personal services or expenses of any other person if the services are rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of a candidate or committee without payment of full and adequate consideration.

(2) The transfer of anything of value received by a committee from another committee, unless full and adequate consideration is received.

(3) The payment of public moneys by a state or local governmental agency for a communication to the public that satisfies both of the following:

(A) The communication expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a clearly identified measure, or, taken as a whole and in context, unambiguously urges a particular result in an election.

(B) The communication is made at the behest of the affected candidate or committee.

(4) A payment made by a person to a multipurpose organization as defined and described in Section 84222.

(5) (A)   A payment made by a lobbyist or a cohabitant of a lobbyist for costs related to a fundraising event held at the home of the lobbyist, including the value of the use of the home as a fundraising event venue. A payment described in this paragraph is attributable to the lobbyist for purposes of Section 85702.

(B) A payment made by a lobbying firm for costs related to a fundraising event held at the office of the lobbying firm, including the value of the use of the office as a fundraising event venue.

(c) “Contribution” does not include any of the following:

(1) Amounts received pursuant to an enforceable promise to the extent those amounts have been previously reported as a contribution. However, the fact that those amounts have been received shall be indicated in the appropriate campaign report.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b), a payment made by an occupant of a home or office for costs related to any meeting or fundraising event held in the occupant’s home or office if the costs for the meeting or fundraising event are five hundred dollars ($500) or less.

(3) Volunteer personal services or payments made by any individual for the individual’s own travel expenses if the payments are made voluntarily without any understanding or agreement that they will be, directly or indirectly, repaid to the individual.

(4) A behested payment, as defined in Section 82004.5, but only as to the behesting committee, elected officer, or member of the Public Utilities Commission.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278, Sec. 6. (AB 808) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally operative pursuant to Sec. 78 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 278. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) To determine when contributions are aggregated under this title, “entity” means any person other than an individual, and “majority owned” means ownership of more than 50 percent.

(b) If an individual directs or controls an entity’s contributions, the entity’s contributions shall be aggregated with contributions made by both of the following:

(1) That individual.

(2) Any other entity whose contributions that individual directs or controls.

(c) If two or more entities make contributions that are directed or controlled by a majority of the same persons, the contributions of those entities shall be aggregated.

(d) Contributions made by entities that are majority owned by a person shall be aggregated with the contributions of the majority owner and all other entities majority owned by that person, unless those entities act independently in their contribution-making decisions.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 312, Sec. 5. (AB 902) Effective January 1, 2020.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Controlled committee” means a committee that is controlled directly or indirectly by a candidate or state measure proponent or that acts jointly with a candidate, controlled committee, or state measure proponent in connection with the making of expenditures. A candidate or state measure proponent controls a committee if the candidate or state measure proponent, the candidate or state measure proponent’s agent, or any other committee the candidate or state measure proponent controls has a significant influence on the actions or decisions of the committee.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a political party committee, as defined in Section 85205, is not a controlled committee.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 136. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “County” includes a city and county.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), “cumulative amount” means the amount of contributions received or expenditures made in the calendar year.

(b) For a filer required to file a campaign statement or independent expenditure report in one year in connection with an election to be held in another year, the period over which the cumulative amount is calculated shall end on the closing date of the first semiannual statement filed after the election.

(c) For a filer required to file a campaign statement in connection with the qualification of a measure which extends into two calendar years, the period over which the cumulative amount is calculated shall end on December 31 of the second calendar year.

(d) For a person filing a campaign statement with a period modified by the provisions of this section, the next period over which the cumulative amount is calculated shall begin on the day after the closing date of the statement.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 769, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1994. Conditionally superseded; see amendment by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), “cumulative amount” means the amount of contributions received or expenditures made in the calendar year.

(b) For a filer required to file a campaign report or independent expenditure report in one year in connection with an election to be held in another year, the period over which the cumulative amount is calculated shall end on the closing date of the first semiannual report filed after the election.

(c) For a filer required to file a campaign report in connection with the qualification of a measure which extends into two calendar years, the period over which the cumulative amount is calculated shall end on December 31 of the second calendar year.

(d) For a person filing a campaign report with a period modified by the provisions of this section, the next period over which the cumulative amount is calculated shall begin on the day after the closing date of the report.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278, Sec. 7. (AB 808) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally operative pursuant to Sec. 78 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 278. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Designated employee” means any officer, employee, member, or consultant of any agency whose position with the agency:

(1) Is exempt from the state civil service system by virtue of subdivision (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (m) of Section 4 of Article VII of the Constitution, unless the position is elective or solely secretarial, clerical, or manual.

(2) Is elective, other than an elective state office.

(3) Is designated in a Conflict of Interest Code because the position entails the making or participation in the making of decisions which may foreseeably have a material effect on any financial interest.

(4) Is involved as a state employee at other than a clerical or ministerial level in the functions of negotiating or signing any contract awarded through competitive bidding, in making decisions in conjunction with the competitive bidding process, or in negotiating, signing, or making decisions on contracts executed pursuant to Section 10122 of the Public Contract Code.

(b) (1) “Designated employee” does not include an elected state officer, any unsalaried member of any board or commission which serves a solely advisory function, any public official specified in Section 87200, and also does not include any unsalaried member of a nonregulatory committee, section, commission, or other such entity of the State Bar of California.

(2) “Designated employee” does not include a federal officer or employee serving in an official federal capacity on a state or local government agency. The state or local government agency shall annually obtain, and maintain in its files for public inspection, a copy of any public financial disclosure report filed by the federal officer or employee pursuant to federal law.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 484, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Elected officer” means any person who holds an elective office or has been elected to an elective office but has not yet taken office. A person who is appointed to fill a vacant elective office is an elected officer.

history: (History: Added June 4, 1974, by initiative Proposition 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Elected state officer” means any person who holds an elective state office or has been elected to an elective state office but has not yet taken office. A person who is appointed to fill a vacant elective state office is an elected state officer.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Election” means any primary, general, special or recall election held in this state. The primary and general or special elections are separate elections for purposes of this title.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
“Election-related activities” include, but are not limited to, the following with respect to candidate-based elections:

(a) Communications that contain express advocacy of the nomination or election of a candidate or the defeat of a candidate’s opponent.

(b) Communications that contain reference to a candidate’s candidacy for elective office, the candidate’s election campaign, or the candidate’s or the candidate’s opponent’s qualifications for elective office.

(c) Solicitation of contributions to the candidate or to third persons for use in support of the candidate or in opposition to the candidate’s opponent.

(d) Arranging, coordinating, developing, writing, distributing, preparing, or planning of any communication or activity described in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive.

(e) Recruiting or coordinating campaign activities of campaign volunteers on behalf of the candidate.

(f) Preparing campaign budgets.

(g) Preparing campaign finance disclosure statements.

(h) Communications directed to voters or potential voters as part of activities encouraging or assisting persons to vote if the communication contains express advocacy of the nomination or election of the candidate or the defeat of the candidate’s opponent.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 137. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022. Conditionally superseded; see amendment by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
“Election-related activities” include, but are not limited to, the following with respect to candidate-based elections:

(a) Communications that contain express advocacy of the nomination or election of a candidate or the defeat of a candidate’s opponent.

(b) Communications that contain reference to a candidate’s candidacy for elective office, the candidate’s election campaign, or the candidate’s or the candidate’s opponent’s qualifications for elective office.

(c) Solicitation of contributions to the candidate or to third persons for use in support of the candidate or in opposition to the candidate’s opponent.

(d) Arranging, coordinating, developing, writing, distributing, preparing, or planning of any communication or activity described in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive.

(e) Recruiting or coordinating campaign activities of campaign volunteers on behalf of the candidate.

(f) Preparing campaign budgets.

(g) Preparing campaign finance disclosure reports.

(h) Communications directed to voters or potential voters as part of activities encouraging or assisting persons to vote if the communication contains express advocacy of the nomination or election of the candidate or the defeat of the candidate’s opponent.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278, Sec. 8. (AB 808) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally operative pursuant to Sec. 78 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 278.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Elective office” means any state, regional, county, municipal, district or judicial office that is filled at an election. “Elective office” also includes membership on a county central committee of a qualified political party, and membership through election on the Board of Administration of the Public Employees’ Retirement System or the Teachers’ Retirement Board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 633, Sec. 1. (SB 1007) Effective January 1, 2011. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Elective state office” means the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Controller, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Member of the Legislature, member elected to the Board of Administration of the Public Employees’ Retirement System, member elected to the Teachers’ Retirement Board, and member of the State Board of Equalization.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 633, Sec. 2. (SB 1007) Effective January 1, 2011. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Expenditure” means a payment, a forgiveness of a loan, a payment of a loan by a third party, or an enforceable promise to make a payment, unless it is clear from the surrounding circumstances that it is not made for political purposes. “Expenditure” does not include a candidate’s use of the candidate’s own money to pay for either a filing fee for a declaration of candidacy or a candidate statement prepared pursuant to Section 13307 of the Elections Code. An expenditure is made on the date the payment is made or on the date consideration, if any, is received, whichever is earlier.

(b) A payment is made for political purposes if it is any of the following:

(1) For purposes of influencing or attempting to influence the action of the voters for or against the nomination or election of a candidate or candidates, or the qualification or passage of any measure.

(2) Made by any of the following:

(A) A candidate, unless it is clear from surrounding circumstances that the payment was made for personal purposes unrelated to the candidate’s candidacy or status as an officeholder.

(B) A controlled committee.

(C) An official committee of a political party, including a state central committee, county central committee, assembly district committee, or any subcommittee of such committee.

(D) An organization formed or existing primarily for political purposes, as described in paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, a political action committee established by any membership organization, labor union, or corporation.

(c) “Expenditure” includes any monetary or nonmonetary payment made by any person, other than the persons or organizations described in subdivision (b), that is used for communications that expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or candidates, or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a clearly identified ballot measure.

(1) “Clearly identified” is defined as follows:

(A) A candidate is clearly identified if the communication states the candidate’s name, makes unambiguous reference to the candidate’s office or status as a candidate, or unambiguously describes the candidate in any manner.

(B) A group of candidates is clearly identified if the communication makes unambiguous reference to some well-defined characteristic of the group, even if the communication does not name each candidate. A communication that clearly identifies a group of candidates and expressly advocates their election or defeat is reportable as an expenditure, but the expenditure need not be allocated among all members of the class or group on the campaign statement reporting the expenditure.

(C) A measure that has qualified to be placed on the ballot is clearly identified if the communication states a proposition number, official title, or popular name associated with the measure. In addition, the measure is clearly identified if the communication refers to the subject matter of the measure and either states that the measure is before the people for a vote or, taken as a whole and in context, unambiguously refers to the measure.

(D) A measure that has not qualified to be placed on the ballot is clearly identified if the communication refers to the subject matter of the measure and the qualification drive.

(2) A communication “expressly advocates” the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a measure if it contains express words of advocacy such as “vote for,” “elect,” “support,” “cast your ballot,” “vote against,” “defeat,” “reject,” “sign petitions for,” or, within 60 days before an election in which the candidate or measure appears on the ballot, the communication otherwise refers to a clearly identified candidate or measure so that the communication, taken as a whole, unambiguously urges a particular result in an election.

(A) Except for those communications paid for with public moneys by a state or local government agency, a communication, taken as a whole, unambiguously urges a particular result in an election if it is not susceptible of any reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate or measure. A communication is not susceptible of any reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate or measure when, taken as a whole, it could only be interpreted by a reasonable person as containing an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate or measure because of both of the following:

(i) The electoral portion of the communication is unmistakable, unambiguous, and suggestive of only one meaning.

(ii) Reasonable minds could not differ as to whether it encourages a vote for or against a clearly identified candidate or measure, or encourages some other kind of action on a legislative, executive, or judicial matter or issue.

(B) The following nonexhaustive examples, referring to candidates or measures on the ballot in an upcoming election, illustrate statements that in most contexts would not be susceptible of any reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate or measure: “Smith’s the One”; “No Measure A”; “Rally ‘round O’Malley”; “Create jobs with Measure X”; “Only Nancy Brown can clean out City Hall”; “Proposition 123 - your last chance to save California”; “Joe Green will earn your trust”; “Bob Boone is unqualified for office and a special-interest puppet”; “Shirley Hall - bad for California, bad for you.”

(C) The following nonexhaustive examples, referring to candidates or measures on the ballot in an upcoming election, illustrate statements that would be susceptible of a reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate or measure: “Assembly Member Nancy Brown needs to be tough on criminals. Call her and tell her to stand firm on AB 100”; “Poor children need a home too. Support the Mayor’s stance against more budget cuts”; “Thank you, Supervisor Smith, for continuing to support our farmers.”

(D) Safe Harbor. A communication does not expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate, or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a measure, within the meaning of this section, if both of the following apply:

(i) The communication does not mention an election, candidacy, political party unless required by law, opposing candidate, or voting by the general public, and it does not take a position on the character, qualifications, or fitness for office of a candidate or officeholder, or the merits of a ballot measure.

(ii) The communication focuses on a legislative, executive, or judicial matter or issue, either urging a candidate to take a particular position or action with respect to the matter or issue, or urging the public to adopt a particular position and to contact the candidate with respect to the matter or issue.

(E) Rules of Interpretation. If a communication does not qualify for the safe harbor described in subparagraph (D), the commission shall consider if the communication has an interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a clearly identified candidate or measure, in order to determine if, on balance, the communication is not susceptible of any reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a clearly identified candidate or measure.

(3) Reporting Expenditures.

(A) The amount of an expenditure reportable pursuant to this subdivision shall include all costs directly attributable to the communication, including, but not limited to, salaries, production, postage, space or time purchased, agency fees, printing, and any additional administrative or overhead costs attributable to the communication. The expenditure does not include any of the regular ongoing business overhead that will be incurred in similar amounts regardless of the communication.

(B) When a printed or broadcast communication circulates outside the state, the expenditure may be calculated on the basis of the fraction of the total cost attributable to circulation within the state.

(C) Costs directly traceable to the communication are reportable when the communication is made, or when payments are made in connection with the development, production, or dissemination of the communication, whichever occurs first.

(D) The costs of printing and distributing petitions, recruiting, training, and paying expenses of petition circulators, and other costs incurred in connection with the qualification of a measure are reportable expenditures.

(4) Except for those communications paid for with public moneys by a state or local government agency, notwithstanding this subdivision, “expenditure” does not include costs incurred for communications that expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or candidates, or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a clearly identified measure or measures by either of the following:

(A) A broadcasting station, including a cable or satellite television operation, programmer, or producer, internet website, or a regularly published newspaper, magazine, or other periodical of general circulation, including an internet or electronic publication, that routinely carries news and commentary of general interest, for the cost of covering or carrying a news story, commentary, or editorial.

(B) A regularly published newsletter or regularly published periodical, other than those specified in subparagraph (A), whose circulation is limited to an organization’s members, employees, shareholders, other affiliated individuals, and those who request or purchase the publication. This subparagraph applies only to the costs regularly incurred in publishing the newsletter or periodical. If additional costs are incurred because the newsletter or periodical is issued on other than its regular schedule, expanded in circulation, or substantially altered in style, size, or format, the additional costs are expenditures.

(5) The term “expenditure” also does not include uncompensated internet activity by an individual supporting or opposing a candidate or measure as stated in Section 18215.2 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations.

(d) A payment used to make contributions, as defined in Section 82015, is an expenditure.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 102, Sec. 1. (AB 903) Effective January 1, 2020. Conditionally superseded; see amendment by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Expenditure” means a payment, a forgiveness of a loan, a payment of a loan by a third party, or an enforceable promise to make a payment, unless it is clear from the surrounding circumstances that it is not made for political purposes. “Expenditure” does not include a candidate’s use of the candidate’s own money to pay for either a filing fee for a declaration of candidacy or a candidate statement prepared pursuant to Section 13307 of the Elections Code. An expenditure is made on the date the payment is made or on the date consideration, if any, is received, whichever is earlier.

(b) A payment is made for political purposes if it is any of the following:

(1) For purposes of influencing or attempting to influence the action of the voters for or against the nomination or election of a candidate or candidates, or the qualification or passage of any measure.

(2) Made by any of the following:

(A) A candidate, unless it is clear from surrounding circumstances that the payment was made for personal purposes unrelated to the candidate’s candidacy or status as an officeholder.

(B) A controlled committee.

(C) An official committee of a political party, including a state central committee, county central committee, assembly district committee, or any subcommittee of such committee.

(D) An organization formed or existing primarily for political purposes, as described in paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, a political action committee established by any membership organization, labor union, or corporation.

(c) “Expenditure” includes any monetary or nonmonetary payment made by any person, other than the persons or organizations described in subdivision (b), that is used for communications that expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or candidates, or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a clearly identified ballot measure.

(1) “Clearly identified” is defined as follows:

(A) A candidate is clearly identified if the communication states the candidate’s name, makes unambiguous reference to the candidate’s office or status as a candidate, or unambiguously describes the candidate in any manner.

(B) A group of candidates is clearly identified if the communication makes unambiguous reference to some well-defined characteristic of the group, even if the communication does not name each candidate. A communication that clearly identifies a group of candidates and expressly advocates their election or defeat is reportable as an expenditure, but the expenditure need not be allocated among all members of the class or group on the campaign report disclosing the expenditure.

(C) A measure that has qualified to be placed on the ballot is clearly identified if the communication states a proposition number, official title, or popular name associated with the measure. In addition, the measure is clearly identified if the communication refers to the subject matter of the measure and either states that the measure is before the people for a vote or, taken as a whole and in context, unambiguously refers to the measure.

(D) A measure that has not qualified to be placed on the ballot is clearly identified if the communication refers to the subject matter of the measure and the qualification drive.

(2) A communication “expressly advocates” the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a measure if it contains express words of advocacy such as “vote for,” “elect,” “support,” “cast your ballot,” “vote against,” “defeat,” “reject,” “sign petitions for,” or, within 60 days before an election in which the candidate or measure appears on the ballot, the communication otherwise refers to a clearly identified candidate or measure so that the communication, taken as a whole, unambiguously urges a particular result in an election.

(A) Except for those communications paid for with public moneys by a state or local government agency, a communication, taken as a whole, unambiguously urges a particular result in an election if it is not susceptible of any reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate or measure. A communication is not susceptible of any reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate or measure when, taken as a whole, it could only be interpreted by a reasonable person as containing an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate or measure because of both of the following:

(i) The electoral portion of the communication is unmistakable, unambiguous, and suggestive of only one meaning.

(ii) Reasonable minds could not differ as to whether it encourages a vote for or against a clearly identified candidate or measure, or encourages some other kind of action on a legislative, executive, or judicial matter or issue.

(B) The following nonexhaustive examples, referring to candidates or measures on the ballot in an upcoming election, illustrate statements that in most contexts would not be susceptible of any reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate or measure: “Smith’s the One”; “No Measure A”; “Rally ‘round O’Malley”; “Create jobs with Measure X”; “Only Nancy Brown can clean out City Hall”; “Proposition 123 - your last chance to save California”; “Joe Green will earn your trust”; “Bob Boone is unqualified for office and a special-interest puppet”; “Shirley Hall - bad for California, bad for you.”

(C) The following nonexhaustive examples, referring to candidates or measures on the ballot in an upcoming election, illustrate statements that would be susceptible of a reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate or measure: “Assembly Member Nancy Brown needs to be tough on criminals. Call her and tell her to stand firm on AB 100”; “Poor children need a home too. Support the Mayor’s stance against more budget cuts”; “Thank you, Supervisor Smith, for continuing to support our farmers.”

(D) Safe Harbor. A communication does not expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate, or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a measure, within the meaning of this section, if both of the following apply:

(i) The communication does not mention an election, candidacy, political party unless required by law, opposing candidate, or voting by the general public, and it does not take a position on the character, qualifications, or fitness for office of a candidate or officeholder, or the merits of a ballot measure.

(ii) The communication focuses on a legislative, executive, or judicial matter or issue, either urging a candidate to take a particular position or action with respect to the matter or issue, or urging the public to adopt a particular position and to contact the candidate with respect to the matter or issue.

(E) Rules of Interpretation. If a communication does not qualify for the safe harbor described in subparagraph (D), the commission shall consider if the communication has an interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a clearly identified candidate or measure, in order to determine if, on balance, the communication is not susceptible of any reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a clearly identified candidate or measure.

(3) Reporting Expenditures.

(A) The amount of an expenditure reportable pursuant to this subdivision shall include all costs directly attributable to the communication, including, but not limited to, salaries, production, postage, space or time purchased, agency fees, printing, and any additional administrative or overhead costs attributable to the communication. The expenditure does not include any of the regular ongoing business overhead that will be incurred in similar amounts regardless of the communication.

(B) When a printed or broadcast communication circulates outside the state, the expenditure may be calculated on the basis of the fraction of the total cost attributable to circulation within the state.

(C) Costs directly traceable to the communication are reportable when the communication is made, or when payments are made in connection with the development, production, or dissemination of the communication, whichever occurs first.

(D) The costs of printing and distributing petitions, recruiting, training, and paying expenses of petition circulators, and other costs incurred in connection with the qualification of a measure are reportable expenditures.

(4) Except for those communications paid for with public moneys by a state or local government agency, notwithstanding this subdivision, “expenditure” does not include costs incurred for communications that expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or candidates, or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a clearly identified measure or measures by either of the following:

(A) A broadcasting station, including a cable or satellite television operation, programmer, or producer, internet website, or a regularly published newspaper, magazine, or other periodical of general circulation, including an internet or electronic publication, that routinely carries news and commentary of general interest, for the cost of covering or carrying a news story, commentary, or editorial.

(B) A regularly published newsletter or regularly published periodical, other than those specified in subparagraph (A), whose circulation is limited to an organization’s members, employees, shareholders, other affiliated individuals, and those who request or purchase the publication. This subparagraph applies only to the costs regularly incurred in publishing the newsletter or periodical. If additional costs are incurred because the newsletter or periodical is issued on other than its regular schedule, expanded in circulation, or substantially altered in style, size, or format, the additional costs are expenditures.

(5) The term “expenditure” also does not include uncompensated internet activity by an individual supporting or opposing a candidate or measure as stated in Section 18215.2 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations.

(d) A payment used to make contributions, as defined in Section 82015, is an expenditure.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278, Sec. 9. (AB 808) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally operative pursuant to Sec. 78 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 278. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “External manager” means either of the following:

(1) A person who is seeking to be, or is, retained by a state public retirement system in California or an investment vehicle to manage a portfolio of securities or other assets for compensation.

(2) A person who manages an investment fund and who offers or sells, or has offered or sold, an ownership interest in the investment fund to a state public retirement system in California or an investment vehicle.

(b) For purposes of this section, “investment fund” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 7513.8.

(c) For purposes of this section, “investment vehicle” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 82047.3.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 704, Sec. 3. (SB 398) Effective October 9, 2011.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Fair market value” means the estimated fair market value of goods, services, facilities or anything of value other than money. Whenever the amount of goods, services, facilities, or anything of value other than money is required to be reported under this title, the amount reported shall be the fair market value, and a description of the goods, services, facilities, or other thing of value shall be appended to the report or statement. “Full and adequate consideration” as used in this title means fair market value.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 775, Sec. 3.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Filer” means the person filing or required to file any statement or report under this title.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Filing officer” means the office or officer with whom any statement or report is required to be filed under this title. If copies of a statement or report are required to be filed with more than one office or officer, the one first named is the filing officer, and the copy filed with that officer shall be signed in the original and shall be deemed the original copy.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 138. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “General purpose committee” means all committees pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 82013, and any committee pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 82013 which is formed or exists primarily to support or oppose more than one candidate or ballot measure, except as provided in Section 82047.5.

(b) A “state general purpose committee” is a political party committee, as defined in Section 85205, or a committee to support or oppose candidates or measures voted on in a state election, or in more than one county.

(c) A “county general purpose committee” is a committee to support or oppose candidates or measures voted on in only one county, or in more than one jurisdiction within one county.

(d) A “city general purpose committee” is a committee to support or oppose candidates or measures voted on in only one city.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 623, Sec. 1. Effective September 21, 2004.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Gift” means, except as provided in subdivision (b), any payment that confers a personal benefit on the recipient, to the extent that consideration of equal or greater value is not received and includes a rebate or discount in the price of anything of value unless the rebate or discount is made in the regular course of business to members of the public without regard to official status. Any person, other than a defendant in a criminal action, who claims that a payment is not a gift by reason of receipt of consideration has the burden of proving that the consideration received is of equal or greater value.

(b) The term “gift” does not include:

(1) Informational material such as books, reports, pamphlets, calendars, or periodicals. No payment for travel or reimbursement for any expenses shall be deemed “informational material.”

(2) Gifts which are not used and which, within 30 days after receipt, are either returned to the donor or delivered to a nonprofit entity exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code without being claimed as a charitable contribution for tax purposes.

(3) Gifts from an individual’s spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person; provided that a gift from any such person shall be considered a gift if the donor is acting as an agent or intermediary for any person not covered by this paragraph.

(4) Campaign contributions required to be reported under Chapter 4 of this title.

(5) Any devise or inheritance.

(6) Personalized plaques and trophies with an individual value of less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 450, Sec. 2. Effective September 24, 1997. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Immediate family” means the spouse and dependent children.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1000. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Income” means, except as provided in subdivision (b), a payment received, including, but not limited to, any salary, wage, advance, dividend, interest, rent, proceeds from any sale, gift, including any gift of food or beverage, loan, forgiveness or payment of indebtedness received by the filer, reimbursement for expenses, per diem, or contribution to an insurance or pension program paid by any person other than an employer, and including any community property interest in the income of a spouse. Income also includes an outstanding loan. Income of an individual also includes a pro rata share of any income of any business entity or trust in which the individual or spouse owns, directly, indirectly, or beneficially, a 10-percent interest or greater. “Income,” other than a gift, does not include income received from any source outside the jurisdiction and not doing business within the jurisdiction, not planning to do business within the jurisdiction, or not having done business within the jurisdiction during the two years prior to the time any statement or other action is required under this title.

(b) “Income” also does not include:

(1) Campaign contributions required to be reported under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 84100).

(2) Salary and reimbursement for expenses or per diem, and social security, disability, or other similar benefit payments received from a state, local, or federal government agency and reimbursement for travel expenses and per diem received from a bona fide nonprofit entity exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(3) Any devise or inheritance.

(4) Interest, dividends, or premiums on a time or demand deposit in a financial institution, shares in a credit union or any insurance policy, payments received under any insurance policy, or any bond or other debt instrument issued by any government or government agency.

(5) Dividends, interest, or any other return on a security which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States government or a commodity future registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of the United States government, except proceeds from the sale of these securities and commodities futures.

(6) Redemption of a mutual fund.

(7) Alimony or child support payments.

(8) Any loan or loans from a commercial lending institution which are made in the lender’s regular course of business on terms available to members of the public without regard to official status.

(9) Any loan from or payments received on a loan made to an individual’s spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, or first cousin, or the spouse of any such person, provided that a loan or loan payment received from any such person shall be considered income if that person is acting as an agent or intermediary for any person not covered by this paragraph.

(10) Any indebtedness created as part of a retail installment or credit card transaction if made in the lender’s regular course of business on terms available to members of the public without regard to official status.

(11) Payments received under a defined benefit pension plan qualified under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a).

(12) Proceeds from the sale of securities registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States government or from the sale of commodities futures registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of the United States government if the filer sells the securities or the commodities futures on a stock or commodities exchange and does not know or have reason to know the identity of the purchaser.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 139. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) For purposes of this title, “earned income” means, except as provided in subdivision (b), income from wages, salaries, professional fees, and other amounts received or promised to be received as compensation for personal services rendered.

(b) Income which is not “earned income” includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Any income derived from stocks, bonds, property, or other investments, or from retail or wholesale sales.

(2) Any amount paid by, or on behalf of, an elected state officer to a tax-qualified pension, profit sharing, or stock bonus plan and received by the elected state officer from the plan.

(3) The community property interest in the income of a spouse.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1075, Sec. 1.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Independent expenditure” means an expenditure made by any person, including a payment of public moneys by a state or local governmental agency, in connection with a communication which expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the qualification, passage or defeat of a clearly identified measure, or taken as a whole and in context, unambiguously urges a particular result in an election but which is not made to or at the behest of the affected candidate or committee.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 363, Sec. 2. (AB 9) Effective January 1, 2010.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Influencing legislative or administrative action” means promoting, supporting, influencing, modifying, opposing or delaying any legislative or administrative action by any means, including but not limited to the provision or use of information, statistics, studies or analyses.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Interest in real property” includes any leasehold, beneficial or ownership interest, or an option to acquire such an interest in real property located in the jurisdiction owned directly, indirectly, or beneficially by the public official, or other filer, or that person’s immediate family if the fair market value of the interest is two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more. Interests in real property of an individual includes a pro rata share of interests in real property of any business entity or trust in which the individual or immediate family owns, directly, indirectly, or beneficially, a 10-percent interest or greater.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 140. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Investment” means any financial interest in or security issued by a business entity, including, but not limited to, common stock, preferred stock, rights, warrants, options, debt instruments, and any partnership or other ownership interest owned directly, indirectly, or beneficially by the public official, or other filer, or that person’s immediate family, if the business entity or any parent, subsidiary, or otherwise related business entity has an interest in real property in the jurisdiction, or does business or plans to do business in the jurisdiction, or has done business within the jurisdiction at any time during the two years prior to the time any statement or other action is required under this title.

(b) An asset shall not be deemed an investment unless its fair market value equals or exceeds two thousand dollars ($2,000).

(c) The term “investment” does not include a time or demand deposit in a financial institution, shares in a credit union, any insurance policy, interest in a diversified mutual fund registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or in a common trust fund created pursuant to Section 1585 of the Financial Code, interest in a government defined-benefit pension plan, or any bond or other debt instrument issued by any government or government agency.

(d) Investments of an individual includes a pro rata share of investments of any business entity, mutual fund, or trust in which the individual or immediate family owns, directly, indirectly, or beneficially, a 10-percent interest or greater.

(e) The term “parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity” shall be specifically defined by regulations of the commission.

(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 85, Sec. 1. (AB 1029) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 2 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 85. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Investment” means either of the following:

(1) A financial interest in or security issued by a business entity, including, but not limited to, common stock, preferred stock, rights, warrants, options, debt instruments, and any partnership or other ownership interest owned directly, indirectly, or beneficially by the public official, or other filer, or that person’s immediate family, if the business entity or any parent, subsidiary, or otherwise related business entity has an interest in real property in the jurisdiction, or does business or plans to do business in the jurisdiction, or has done business within the jurisdiction at any time during the two years prior to the time any statement or other action is required under this title.

(2) A direct or indirect interest in a digital financial asset, as defined in Section 3102 of the Financial Code.

(b) An asset shall not be deemed an investment unless its fair market value equals or exceeds two thousand dollars ($2,000).

(c) The term “investment” does not include a time or demand deposit in a financial institution, shares in a credit union, any insurance policy, interest in a diversified mutual fund registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or in a common trust fund created pursuant to Section 1585 of the Financial Code, interest in a government defined-benefit pension plan, or any bond or other debt instrument issued by any government or government agency.

(d) Investments of an individual includes a pro rata share of investments of any business entity, mutual fund, or trust in which the individual or immediate family owns, directly, indirectly, or beneficially, a 10-percent interest or greater.

(e) The term “parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity” shall be specifically defined by regulations of the commission.

(f) This section shall become operative January 1, 2027.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 1) and added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 85, Sec. 2. (AB 1029) Effective January 1, 2026. Operative January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Jurisdiction” means the state with respect to a state agency and, with respect to a local government agency, the region, county, city, district or other geographical area in which it has jurisdiction. Real property shall be deemed to be “within the jurisdiction” with respect to a local government agency if the property or any part of it is located within or not more than two miles outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction or within two miles of any land owned or used by the local government agency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 769, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1994. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “LAFCO proposal” means a proposal, as defined in Section 56069, including a proceeding, as defined by Section 56067.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 113, Sec. 4. (AB 528) Effective January 1, 2010.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
“Late contribution” means any of the following:

(a) A contribution, including a loan, that totals in the aggregate one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more and is made to or received by a candidate, a controlled committee, or a committee formed or existing primarily to support or oppose a candidate or measure during the 90-day period preceding the date of the election, or on the date of the election, at which the candidate or measure is to be voted on. For purposes of the Board of Administration of the Public Employees’ Retirement System and the Teachers’ Retirement Board, “the date of the election” is the deadline to return ballots.

(b) A contribution, including a loan, that totals in the aggregate one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more and is made to or received by a political party committee, as defined in Section 85205, within 90 days before the date of a state election or on the date of the election.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 364, Sec. 2. (AB 594) Effective January 1, 2016. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Late independent expenditure” means an independent expenditure that totals in the aggregate one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more and is made for or against a specific candidate or measure involved in an election during the 90-day period preceding the date of the election or on the date of the election. For purposes of the Board of Administration of the Public Employees’ Retirement System and the Teachers’ Retirement Board, “the date of the election” is the deadline to return ballots.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 364, Sec. 3. (AB 594) Effective January 1, 2016.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Legislative action” means the drafting, introduction, consideration, modification, enactment, or defeat of any bill, resolution, amendment, report, nomination, or other matter by the Legislature or by either house or any committee, subcommittee, joint or select committee thereof, or by a Member or employee of the Legislature acting in that person’s official capacity. “Legislative action” also means the action of the Governor in approving or vetoing any bill.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 142. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Legislative official” means any employee or consultant of the Legislature whose duties are not solely secretarial, clerical or manual.

history: (History: Added June 4, 1974, by initiative Proposition 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Lobbying coalition” means a group of 10 or more persons formed primarily to influence legislative or administrative action, whose members make payments to the coalition for sharing the expenses of employing a lobbyist or contracting for the services of a lobbying firm.

(b) For purposes of Sections 86115 and 86116, a lobbying coalition shall file the same statements and reports as a lobbyist employer.

(c) A bona fide federation, confederation, or trade, labor, or membership organization is not a lobbying coalition if it is ongoing in nature and its membership services are not limited to influencing legislative or administrative action.

(d) A person making payments to a lobbying coalition does not qualify as a lobbying firm or lobbyist employer as a result of those payments.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 312, Sec. 6. (AB 902) Effective January 1, 2020.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Lobbying firm” means any business entity, including an individual contract lobbyist, which meets either of the following criteria:

(1) The business entity receives or becomes entitled to receive any compensation, other than reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses, for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action on behalf of any other person, and any partner, owner, officer, or employee of the business entity is a lobbyist.

(2) The business entity receives or becomes entitled to receive any compensation, other than reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses, to communicate directly with any elective state official, agency official, or legislative official for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action on behalf of any other person, if a substantial or regular portion of the activities for which the business entity receives compensation is for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action.

(b) No business entity is a lobbying firm by reason of activities described in Section 86300.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 905, Sec. 1.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Lobbyist” means either of the following:

(1) Any individual who receives two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more in economic consideration in a calendar month, other than reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses, or whose principal duties as an employee are, to communicate directly or through that individual’s agents with any elective state official, agency official, or legislative official for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action.

(2) A placement agent, as defined in Section 82047.3.

(b) An individual is not a lobbyist by reason of activities described in Section 86300.

(c) For the purposes of subdivision (a), a proceeding before the Public Utilities Commission constitutes “administrative action” if it meets any of the definitions set forth in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 82002. However, a communication made for the purpose of influencing this type of Public Utilities Commission proceeding is not within subdivision (a) if the communication is made at a public hearing, public workshop, or other public forum that is part of the proceeding, or if the communication is included in the official record of the proceeding.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 143. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9, and amended on Nov. 5, 1996, by initiative Prop. 208.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
“Lobbyist employer” means any person, other than a lobbying firm, who:

(a) Employs one or more lobbyists for economic consideration, other than reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses, for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action, or

(b) Contracts for the services of a lobbying firm for economic consideration, other than reimbursement for reasonable travel expense, for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1183, Sec. 4. Effective September 29, 1985.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Local government agency” means a county, city or district of any kind including school district, or any other local or regional political subdivision, or any department, division, bureau, office, board, commission or other agency of the foregoing.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 727, Sec. 4. Operative July 1, 1985, by Sec. 12 of Ch. 727. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Made at the behest of” means made under the control or at the direction of, in cooperation, consultation, coordination, or concert with, at the request or suggestion of, or with the express, prior consent of.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 749, Sec. 5. (AB 867) Effective January 1, 2018.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Mass mailing” means over two hundred substantially similar pieces of mail, but does not include a form letter or other mail which is sent in response to an unsolicited request, letter or other inquiry.

history: (History: Amended (as amended June 7, 1988, by Prop. 73) by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1027, Sec. 1. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9, and amended on June 7, 1988, by initiative Prop. 73.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Mayor” of a city includes mayor of a city and county.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Measure” means any constitutional amendment or other proposition which is submitted to a popular vote at an election by action of a legislative body, or which is submitted or is intended to be submitted to a popular vote at an election by initiative, referendum or recall procedure whether or not it qualifies for the ballot.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Payment” means a payment, distribution, transfer, loan, advance, deposit, gift or other rendering of money, property, services or anything else of value, whether tangible or intangible.

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
“Payment to influence legislative or administrative action” means any of the following types of payment:

(a) Direct or indirect payment to a lobbyist whether for salary, fee, compensation for expenses, or any other purpose, by a person employing or contracting for the services of the lobbyist separately or jointly with other persons;

(b) Payment in support or assistance of a lobbyist or the lobbyist’s activities, including, but not limited to, the direct payment of expenses incurred at the request or suggestion of the lobbyist;

(c) Payment which directly or indirectly benefits any elective state official, legislative official, or agency official or a member of the immediate family of any such official;

(d) Payment, including compensation, payment, or reimbursement for the services, time, or expenses of an employee, for or in connection with direct communication with any elective state official, legislative official, or agency official;

(e) Payment for or in connection with soliciting or urging other persons to enter into direct communication with any elective state official, legislative official, or agency official.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 144. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Period covered” by a statement or report required to be filed by this title, other than a campaign statement, means, unless a different period is specified, the period beginning with the day after the closing date of the most recent statement or report which was required to be filed, and ending with the closing date of the statement or report in question. If the person filing the statement or report has not previously filed a statement or report of the same type, the period covered begins on the day on which the first reportable transaction occurred. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to exempt any person from disclosing transactions which occurred prior to the effective date of this title according to the laws then in effect.

(b) “Period covered” by a campaign statement required to be filed by this title means, unless a different period is specified, the period beginning the day after the closing date of the most recent campaign statement which was required to be filed and ending with the closing date of the statement in question. If a person has not previously filed a campaign statement, the period covered begins on January 1.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 289. Conditionally superseded; see amendment by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Period covered” by a statement or report required to be filed by this title, other than a campaign report, means, unless a different period is specified, the period beginning with the day after the closing date of the most recent statement or report which was required to be filed, and ending with the closing date of the statement or report in question. If the person filing the statement or report has not previously filed a statement or report of the same type, the period covered begins on the day on which the first reportable transaction occurred. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to exempt any person from disclosing transactions which occurred prior to the effective date of this title according to the laws then in effect.

(b) “Period covered” by a campaign report required pursuant to Sections 84200, 84200.5, 84202.3, and 84202.7 means, unless a different period is specified, the period beginning the day after the closing date of the most recent campaign report which was required to be filed and ending with the closing date of the statement in question. If a person has not previously filed a campaign report, the period covered begins on January 1.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 278, Sec. 10. (AB 808) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally operative pursuant to Sec. 78 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 278. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Person” means an individual, proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, syndicate, business trust, company, corporation, limited liability company, association, committee, and any other organization or group of persons acting in concert.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1010, Sec. 144. Effective January 1, 1995. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Placement agent” means an individual directly or indirectly hired, engaged, or retained by, or serving for the benefit of or on behalf of, an external manager or an investment fund managed by an external manager, and who acts or has acted for compensation as a finder, solicitor, marketer, consultant, broker, or other intermediary in connection with the offer or sale to a state public retirement system in California or an investment vehicle either of the following:

(1) In the case of an external manager within the meaning of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 82025.3, the investment management services of the external manager.

(2) In the case of an external manager within the meaning of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 82025.3, an ownership interest in an investment fund managed by the external manager.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an individual who is an employee, officer, director, equityholder, partner, member, or trustee of an external manager and who spends one-third or more of the individual’s time, during a calendar year, managing the securities or assets owned, controlled, invested, or held by the external manager is not a placement agent.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an employee, officer, or director of an external manager, or of an affiliate of an external manager, is not a placement agent with respect to an offer or sale of investment management services described in subdivision (a) if all of the following apply:

(1) The external manager is registered as an investment adviser or a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission or, if exempt from or not subject to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, any appropriate state securities regulator.

(2) The external manager is participating in a competitive bidding process, such as a request for proposals, subject to subdivision (a) of Section 22364 of the Education Code or subdivision (a) of Section 20153 of this code, as applicable, or has been selected through that process, and is providing services pursuant to a contract executed as a result of that competitive bidding process.

(3) The external manager, if selected through a competitive bidding process described in paragraph (2), has agreed to a fiduciary standard of care, as defined by the standards of conduct applicable to the retirement board of a public pension or retirement system and set forth in Section 17 of Article XVI of the California Constitution, when managing a portfolio of assets of a state public retirement system in California.

(d) For purposes of this section, “investment fund” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 7513.8.

(e) For purposes of this section, “investment vehicle” means a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association, or other entity, either domestic or foreign, managed by an external manager in which a state public retirement system in California is the majority investor and that is organized in order to invest with, or retain the investment management services of, other external managers.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 145. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
“Primarily formed committee” means a committee pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 82013 which is formed or exists primarily to support or oppose any of the following:

(a) A single candidate.

(b) A single measure.

(c) A group of specific candidates being voted upon in the same city, county, or multicounty election.

(d) Two or more measures being voted upon in the same city, county, multicounty, or state election.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 295, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1996.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Principal officer” means the individual primarily responsible for approving the political activities of a committee, including, but not limited to, the following activities:

(1) Authorizing the content of communications made by the committee.

(2) Authorizing expenditures, including contributions, on behalf of the committee.

(3) Determining the committee’s campaign strategy.

(b) If two or more individuals share the primary responsibility for approving the political activities of a committee, each individual is a principal officer.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 496, Sec. 4. (AB 481) Effective January 1, 2013.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Proponent of a state ballot measure” means “proponent” as defined in Section 9001 of the Elections Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 317, Sec. 1. (AB 1590) Effective January 1, 2022.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) (1) “Public official” means every member, officer, employee, or consultant of a state or local government agency.

(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 6001 of the Business and Professions Code, “public official” includes a designated employee of, and a Member of the Board of Trustees of, the State Bar of California.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), “public official” does not include the following:

(1) A judge or court commissioner in the judicial branch of government.

(2) A member of the Judicial Council.

(3) A member of the Commission on Judicial Performance, provided that the member is subject to the provisions of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 6035) of Chapter 4 of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code as provided in Section 6038 of that article.

(4) A federal officer or employee serving in an official federal capacity on a state or local government agency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 489, Sec. 2. (SB 1476) Effective January 1, 2025. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Slate mailer” means a mass mailing which supports or opposes a total of four or more candidates or ballot measures.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 905, Sec. 1.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Slate mailer organization” means, except as provided in subdivision (b), any person who, directly or indirectly, does all of the following:

(1) Is involved in the production of one or more slate mailers and exercises control over the selection of the candidates and measures to be supported or opposed in the slate mailers.

(2) Receives or is promised payments totaling five hundred dollars ($500) or more in a calendar year for the production of one or more slate mailers.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a slate mailer organization shall not include any of the following:

(1) A candidate or officeholder or a candidate’s or officeholder’s controlled committee.

(2) An official committee of any political party.

(3) A legislative caucus committee.

(4) A committee primarily formed to support or oppose a candidate, officeholder, or ballot measure.

(c) The production and distribution of slate mailers by a slate mailer organization shall not be considered making contributions or expenditures for purposes of subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 82013. If a slate mailer organization makes contributions or expenditures other than by producing or distributing slate mailers, and it reports those contributions and expenditures pursuant to Sections 84218 and 84219, no additional campaign reports shall be required of the slate mailer organization pursuant to Section 84200 or 84200.5.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 82048.5 (as added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 905) by Stats. 1988, Ch. 160, Sec. 77.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Special district” means any agency of the state established for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries. “Special district” includes a county service area, a maintenance district or area, an improvement district or zone, an air pollution control district, or a redevelopment agency. “Special district” shall not include a city, county, city and county, or school district.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 36, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1995.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text:
(a) “Sponsored committee” means a committee, other than a candidate controlled committee, that has one or more sponsors. Any person, except a candidate or other individual, may sponsor a committee.

(b) A person sponsors a committee if any of the following apply:

(1) The committee receives 80 percent or more of its contributions from the person or its members, officers, employees, or shareholders.

(2) The person collects contributions for the committee by use of payroll deductions or dues from its members, officers, or employees.

(3) The person, alone or in combination with other organizations, provides all or nearly all of the administrative services for the committee.

(4) The person, alone or in combination with other organizations, sets the policies for soliciting contributions or making expenditures of committee funds.

(c) A sponsor that is a multipurpose organization, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 84222, and that makes contributions or expenditures from its general treasury funds shall comply with Section 84222.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 16, Sec. 4. (SB 27) Effective May 14, 2014. Operative July 1, 2014, by Stats. 2014, Ch. 16, Sec. 10.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “Spouse” includes registered domestic partners recognized by state law.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 312, Sec. 7. (AB 902) Effective January 1, 2020.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “State agency” means every state office, department, division, bureau, board and commission, and the Legislature.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 727, Sec. 6. Operative July 1, 1985, by Sec. 12 of Ch. 727. Note: This section was added on June 4, 1974, by initiative Prop. 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM


text: “State candidate” means a candidate who seeks nomination or election to any elective state office.

history: (History: Added June 4, 1974, by initiative Proposition 9.)

title: 9. POLITICAL REFORM