March 2023 The fifth time is evidently a charm. Though the City Ethics Commission has sent four proposed City lobbying law updates to the City Council over the last 15 years, each of those proposals died a slow death. Although the latest proposal seemed to be headed for the same fate, the […]
March 2023 The Sutton Law Firm is pleased to announce that Matthew Alvarez has become a partner of the firm. Matthew, a graduate of Boston College and the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, has been with the firm since 2014. Matthew regularly advises candidates, elected officials, political […]
February 2023 As expected, a lawsuit has been filed challenging Senate Bill 1439, the new state law which requires city councilmembers, county supervisors and other local elected officials to disqualify themselves from land use and government contract proceedings involving their campaign contributors of $250 or more. The lawsuit was filed […]
December 2022 Several recent changes have been made to state and local lobbying laws which deserve attention from those who are active in government affairs in California. Expanded Disclosure Requirements for State “Grassroots Lobbying” Ads The Governor signed a bill (SB 459) which will require an “Ad paid […]
December 2022 The Fair Political Practices Commission has increased gift and contribution limits, as it is required to do every two years. The new gift and contribution limits go into effect on January 1, 2023 and will remain in effect through December 31, 2024. New Gift Limit • $590 per […]
As we mentioned in a prior Alert, a new law effective January 1, 2023 (SB 1439) will require city councilmembers, county supervisors and other local elected officials to recuse themselves from proceedings that involve a land use applicant or government contractor who has contributed over $250. There has been uncertainty as […]
Campaign Contribution Restriction Just Signed by Governor Would Dramatically Change Local Land Use and Government Contracting Decisions Governor Newsom signed a law last week which will require city councilpersons and members of county boards of supervisors to recuse themselves from voting on real estate projects and government contracting decisions if […]
This is a reminder that the 24-hour reporting period for political contributions made in connection with the November 8, 2022, election begins today, August 10, 2022. Any contributions or independent expenditures for state or local candidates or ballot measures which will appear on the upcoming November 2022 ballot which aggregate $1,000 […]
February 2022 As the June 7, 2022 election season heats up, candidates and consultants should keep in mind that the law allows campaigns to challenge false, misleading or improper information which will appear in the voter information pamphlet and/or on the ballot. These include candidate ballot designations, candidate statements, arguments for […]
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (“FPPC”) continues to focus on Limited Liability Companies (“LLCs”) as a potential source of “dark money” in California elections. As you may recall, last year the FPPC adopted new rules requiring that reports filed by political committees which receive contributions, as well as Major Donor […]
