Senate, California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Senate Resolution No. 44

Introduced by Senators De León and Steinberg

Relative to the Standing Rules of the Senate for the 2013-14 Regular Session

WHEREAS, The California State Senate seeks adoption of a Senate rule to affirm the public’s confidence in this elected legislative body; and

WHEREAS, The period immediately preceding the passage of the State Budget and the period immediately preceding the end of the legislative session each year are the times at which the Legislature makes the most critical public policy decisions regarding the governance of the state; and

WHEREAS, It is of particular importance during those periods of the legislative session that the Members of the Senate be insulated from extraneous matters that may divert their attention from the legislative work before them; and

WHEREAS, A rule prohibiting Members of the Senate from soliciting or accepting campaign contributions from lobbyist employers during those periods of time will serve to both lessen the distractions of the Members of the Senate at a time when critical legislative decisions are made and address public concerns regarding fundraising taking place during the most crucial times in the legislative calendar; and

WHEREAS, A rule limiting fundraising activities during those periods would be narrowly tailored to serve the compelling state interests of bolstering public confidence in the Legislature and ensuring that Members of the Senate are focused exclusively on legislative business at these crucial times in the legislative calendar, while preserving the ability of the Members to conduct effective campaigns by raising campaign funds at more appropriate times of the year; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Standing Rules of the Senate for the 2013-14 Regular Session are amended as follows:

That Rule 56 is added, to read:

Contribution Restriction Periods

56.   (a) Commencing August 1, 2014, a Member of the Senate shall not solicit or accept a contribution from a lobbyist employer during any of the following periods:

(1) In each year, the period from the date on which the Director of Finance provides to the Legislature a revised estimate of General Fund revenues, proposals to reduce expenditures based on that revision, and proposed adjustments to the Governor’s Budget pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 13308 of the Government Code to the date of enactment of a Budget Bill for the fiscal year commencing on July 1 of the same year, inclusive.

(2) In each odd-numbered year, the period from the date 30 days preceding the date the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn for a joint recess to reconvene in the second calendar year of the biennium of the legislative session to the date that adjournment occurs, inclusive.

(3) In each even-numbered year, the period from August 1 to August 31, inclusive.

(b) The Senate may take any disciplinary action it deems appropriate against a Member of the Senate who violates subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, reprimand, censure, suspension, or expulsion.

(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).

Senate Resolution No. 44 read and adopted by the Senate June 9, 2014.

Attest: _______________________________________

Secretary of the Senate                 

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