P1 1WHEREAS, The California State Senate seeks adoption of a
2Senate rule to affirm the public’s confidence in this elected
3legislative body; and
4WHEREAS, The period immediately preceding the passage of
5the state budget and the period immediately preceding the end of
6the legislative session each year are the times at which the
7Legislature makes the most critical public policy decisions
8regarding the governance of the state; and
9WHEREAS, It is of particular importance during those periods
10of the legislative session that the Members of the Senate be
11insulated from extraneous matters that may divert their attention
12from the legislative work before them; and
13WHEREAS, A rule prohibiting Members of the Senate from
14soliciting or accepting campaign contributions from lobbyist
15employers during those periods of time will serve to both lessen
16the distractions of the Members of the Senate at a time when critical
17legislative decisions are made and address public concerns
18regarding fundraising taking place during the most crucial times
19in the legislative calendar; and
20WHEREAS, A rule limiting fundraising activities during those
21periods would be narrowly tailored to serve the compelling state
22interests of bolstering public confidence in the Legislature and
23ensuring that Members of the Senate are focused exclusively on
24legislative business at these crucial times in the legislative calendar,
25while preserving the ability of the Members to conduct effective
P2 1campaigns by raising campaign funds at more appropriate times
2of the year; now, therefore, be it
3Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the
4Standing Rules of the Senate for the 2013-14 Regular Session are
5amended as follows:
6That Rule 56 is added, to read:
1056. (a) Commencing August 1, 2014, a Member of the Senate
11shall not solicit or accept a contribution from a lobbyist employer
12during any of the following periods:
13(1) In each year, the period from the date on which the Director
14of Finance provides to the Legislature a revised estimate of General
15Fund revenues, proposals to reduce expenditures based on that
16revision, and proposed adjustments to the
Governor’s Budget
17pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 13308 of the Government
18Code to the date of enactment of a Budget Bill for the fiscal year
19commencing on July 1 of the same year, inclusive.
20(2) In each odd-numbered year, the period from the date 30 days
21preceding the date the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn for a
22joint recess to reconvene in the second calendar year of the
23biennium of the legislative session to the date that adjournment
24occurs, inclusive.
25(3) In each even-numbered year, the period from August 1 to
26August 31, inclusive.
27(b) The Senate may take any disciplinary action it deems
28appropriate against a Member of the Senate who violates
29subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, reprimand, censure,
30suspension, or expulsion.
31(c) For purposes of this rule, “contribution” and “lobbyist employer” have the same meanings as set forth in the Political Reform Act of 1974 (Title 9 (commencing with Section 81000) of the Government Code).
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