BILL ANALYSIS SB 1271 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 4, 2010 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair SB 1271 (Romero) - As Amended: April 5, 2010 Policy Committee: ElectionsVote:7-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes SUMMARY This bill amends the Political Reform Act to require every state or local public retirement board, commission, or agency to attach an appendix to its conflict of interest code listing each position with the board for which the individual occupying that position is required to file a Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) as a "public official who manages public investments," i.e. a salaried or unsalaried member of a public retirement entity that exists as, or within, a governmental agency and that possesses decision making authority. The bill also requires these entities to post this appendix on their website in a manner making it easily identifiable and accessible. FISCAL EFFECT Minor absorbable costs to the Fair Political Practices Commission, the California Public Employees Retirement System, and the California State Teachers Retirement System, and minor reimbursable costs to local retirement systems to comply with the bill's requirements. COMMENTS Purpose . According to the author, "There are some public employee pension systems that have persons who join with the governing bodies and participate in the decision making process during meetings. These persons may be employees or non-employees. Although these persons do not vote, they still have influence in the decision making process. However, these non-employees/employees do not file Statements of Economic SB 1271 Page 2 Interest; thus, there is a lack of transparency. "This bill would encompass those persons who participate in the decision making process, but do not vote, requiring them to file Statements of Economic Interests." Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081