BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1509
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 9, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 1509 (Hayashi) - As Introduced: January 12, 2012
Policy Committee: ElectionsVote:6-0
(Consent)
Local Government 9-0
(Consent)
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY
This bill amends the Political Reform Act (PRA) to require the
Internet posting of local elected officials required to file
statement of economic interest (SEIs). Specifically, this bill
requires each city and county clerk who maintains a website to
post the following information:
1)A list of the elected officials required to file their SEIs
with that clerk.
2)A statement that a copy of the SEI for specific filers may be
obtained by visiting the Fair Political Practices Commission
(FPPC) office or the clerks office.
3)A link to the FPPC's website and a statement that certain SEIs
for state and local government agency officers may be
available in electronic format on the that website.
FISCAL EFFECT
Costs for city and county clerks to comply with the bill's
requirements would be state reimbursable, but should be so minor
that local entities are unlikely to seek reimbursement.
COMMENTS
1)Background . Under the PRA, certain elected and other
high-level state and local officials, and candidates for those
positions, must file SEIs to disclose their investments, real
AB 1509
Page 2
property interests, and income. Other state and local public
officials and employees are required to file SEIs if they hold
positions that entail participation in making governmental
decisions that may have a material financial effect on the
decision maker's financial interests.
2)Purpose . According to the author, "it can be difficult for
interested parties to review or obtain a copy of a local
elected official's Form 700. In an effort to increase public
awareness and access to Form 700s, AB 1509 will require
certain notifications to be posted on the websites of city or
county clerks." It should be noted that the bill only pertains
to those elected officials required to file their SEIs with
the their city or county clerk
3)Related Legislation . AB 2062 (Davis), pending on this
committee's Suspense File, allows any local agency to permit
the filing of SEIs electronically, subject to approval by the
FPPC.
4)Political Reform Act . In 1974, the voters passed Proposition
9, commonly known as the PRA, in which created the FPPC and
codified significant restrictions and prohibitions on
candidates, officeholders and lobbyists. Amendments to the PRA
that are not submitted to the voters, such as those contained
in this bill, must further the purposes of the initiative and
require a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature.
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081