California’s Political Reform Act Archives

Are Legislative Findings in California’s Political Reform Act Bills Sufficient?

March 5, 2022 8:00 amMarch 5, 2022 8:09 am

In reviewing recently-introduced legislation that proposes amendments to California’s Political Reform Act (PRA), the same legislative finding and declaration is made in each bill. It is a simplistic statement that raises the question whether this language meets the requirement of...

Registration and Reporting Requirements for California Lobbyists

February 11, 2022 7:15 amFebruary 11, 2022 7:15 am

California’s Political Reform Act contains detailed laws related to lobbyists in Chapter 6. Article 1 of Chapter 6 deals with Registration and Reporting and contains Government Code Sections 86100 – 86118. Section 86100 requires the following persons to register with...

Prohibitions and Campaign Committees in California’s Political Reform Act

January 22, 2022 3:08 pmJanuary 22, 2022 8:04 am

California’s Political Reform Act requires certain campaign disclosures be made pursuant to Chapter 4 of Title 9 of the Government Code. Article 3 of Chapter 4 is titled “Prohibitions” and contains Government Code Section 84300 – 84310. Section 84300(a) prohibits...

Enforcement of the California Political Reform Act

January 20, 2022 3:01 pmJanuary 20, 2022 3:08 pm

California’s Political Reform Act contains a number of enforcement mechanisms. They are contained in Government Code Title 9, Chapter 11, in Sections 91000 – 91014. Section 91000 specifies that any person who knowingly or willfully violates any provision of this...

Auditing Under California’s Political Reform Act

January 16, 2022 8:40 amJanuary 16, 2022 8:44 am

California’s Political Reform Act contains auditing requirements in Chapter 10 of Title 9, which includes Sections 90000 – 90009. Section 90000 requires the Franchise Tax Board to make audits and field investigations with respect to the following: Reports and statements...

Independent Expenditures in California Elections

January 14, 2022 4:24 pmJanuary 14, 2022 4:29 pm

California’s Political Reform Act permits independent expenditures. The general definition of an “independent expenditure” is an expenditure for a communication, such as a website, newspaper, TV or direct mail advertisement that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly...

‘Behested’ Payments and the California Political Reform Act

January 13, 2022 6:32 amJanuary 13, 2022 6:39 am

California’s Political Reform Act regulates “behested payments” which are requested by elected officials and made by donors. Government Code Section 82004.5 defines “behested payment” to mean a payment that is made at the behest of a committee, an elected officer,...