BILL NUMBER: SB 342 CHAPTERED 09/08/99 CHAPTER 365 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 23, 1999 PASSED THE SENATE MAY 20, 1999 AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 14, 1999 INTRODUCED BY Senator McPherson FEBRUARY 9, 1999 An act to amend Sections 3, 4, and 7 of Chapter 1080 of the Statutes of 1998, relating to the Bipartisan Commission on the Political Reform Act of 1974. e law without Governor's signature. Filed with Secretary of State September 8, 1999.) LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 342, McPherson. Bipartisan Commission on the Political Reform Act. The existing Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, prescribes various limitations and reporting requirements respecting, among other things, political campaign contributions. Existing law provides for the Bipartisan Commission on the Political Reform Act of 1974 with a prescribed membership. The commission is required to investigate and assess the effect of the Political Reform Act of 1974 on core political speech protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and on candidates for public office, campaign committees, the voters, state and local officials, and public employees, including the act's effect upon communications to and from public officials. The commission is required to review any ballot measures affecting the Political Reform Act of 1974 and to assess the impact of independent expenditure committees. The commission is required to report to the Legislature, by October 1, 1999, its findings and any recommendations to further the goals of the act. Commission members are entitled to receive $100 per diem compensation for attendance at meetings. These provisions relating to the commission are repealed on January 1, 2000, unless extended by statute. This bill would extend that repeal date to January 1, 2001, and would extend the date on or before which the commission is required to report its findings to the Legislature to June 30, 2000. Under existing law, no more than 3 members of the commission may be attorneys at law who devote more than 10% of their professional practice time to legislative, political campaign, or other politically related activities. This bill would limit that restriction to members of the commission who are appointed by elected officials. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 3 of Chapter 1080 of the Statutes of 1998 is amended to read: Sec. 3. (a) Current Members and employees of the Legislature and registered lobbyists shall be ineligible for membership on the commission. (b) No more than three members of the commission who are appointed by elected officials may be attorneys at law who devote more than 10 percent of their professional practice time to legislative, political campaign, or other politically related activities. SEC. 2. Section 4 of Chapter 1080 of the Statutes of 1998 is amended to read: Sec. 4. The commission shall conduct its initial meeting as soon as possible after January 1, 1999. The commission shall investigate and assess the effect of the Political Reform Act of 1974 on core political speech protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and on candidates for public office, campaign committees, the voters, state and local officials, and public employees, including the effect upon communications made or received by elected and other public officials to and from members of the public and lobbyists. The commission shall review any ballot measures affecting the Political Reform Act of 1974 and shall assess the impact of independent expenditure committees. The commission shall report its findings to the Legislature, together with any recommendations to further the goals of the act, on or before June 30, 2000. SEC. 3. Section 7 of Chapter 1080 of the Statutes of 1998 is amended to read: Sec. 7. This act shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2001, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2001, deletes or extends that date.