Last updated May 8, 2023
Fair Political Practices Commission News
The Fair Political Practices Commission has published a notice regarding proposed amendments to various advertisement disclaimer regulations. The proposed amendments will correct cross-references as necessary and make other changes needed as a result of the new legislation. Additionally, proposed amendments define “television” to include programming viewed via streaming TV or connected TV for certain campaign advertisement disclosures. Proposed amendments include amendments to Regulations 18402, 18450.3, 18450.4, 18450.6, 18450.8, and 18450.9.
Federal Election Commission News
In April 2023, Great America PAC filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging the FEC failed to act on its administrative complaint. According to the complaint, Great America PAC alleges that the FEC failed to act on a complaint filed with the FEC against Michael Bloomberg in 2020. The complaint was based upon violations primarily resulting from the funneling of $18 million of Michael Bloomberg’s personal funds through his presidential campaign committee to the DNC Services Corp/Democratic National Committee, which plaintiff alleges resulted in violations of the Act including making and accepting excessive contributions and contributions in the name of another.
Sacramento Ethics Commission News
At its April 2023 meeting, the Sacramento Ethics Commission provided updates on its recommendations to the City Council on modernizing the City of Sacramento’s lobbying ordinance. These updates were provided after first presenting the topic to the Ethics Commission in October 2022.
Los Angeles City Ethics Commission News
The City Ethics Commission has released a report detailing how entities registered to lobby City agencies reported receiving payments totaling over $70 million in 2022. This is a four percent decrease from 2021.
San Diego Ethics Commission News
The San Diego Ethics Commission released its updated Campaign Manuals for the 2024 election.
City of El Monte
Beginning May 18, 2023, the City of El Monte will require lobbyist registration and reporting under a new lobbying ordinance. Additionally, lobbyists will have to abide by a $50 monthly gift limit for officials of the City.
County of Shasta
In April, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors voted to allocate millions of taxpayer dollars to pay new employees to assist in the County’s switch to manual ballot tallying. Chief fiscal officer Erin Bertain warned the Board of Supervisors that the decision to hand count votes could cost the County at least $3 million through the 2024-2025 fiscal year, because the county will likely need to hire 1,500 ballot counters for the 2024 election.