As the June 5, 2018 election season heats up, candidates, ballot measure committees, 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, […]
Beverly Hills has enacted a new lobbying law which greatly expands the universe of individuals who have to register as Beverly Hills lobbyists (or “municipal legislative advocates,” as the law refers to them) and which places new, severe penalties on individuals who do not comply. The new law takes effect […]
In the wake of the tragic news of Mayor Lee’s death, many of our clients and colleagues have legal questions about what comes next at City Hall. The law provides the following process for selecting Mayor Lee’s successor: * Supervisor Breed, as President of the Board of Supervisors, is currently […]
The Anaheim City Council has passed a “sunshine” law implementing lobbyist registration and reporting, record-keeping for certain officials, and “revolving door” restrictions on former City officials. The ordinance will go into effect on September 14, 2017, and is one of many new or amended local lobbying ordinances passed in the […]
San Jose now requires all registered City lobbyists to file electronic reports with the City Clerk no later than the Monday following any week in which they contact a City official. For example, if a San Jose lobbyist contacts a Councilperson in support of a proposed ordinance on a Friday […]
New, Ongoing Filing Obligations for Santa Monica Lobbying Entities The Santa Monica City Council recently amended its new lobbying law (which was just enacted last fall) to clarify that registered lobbying entities must file an “addendum” to their registrations within 10 days of any change in their lobbying activities, including […]
This morning, the California Supreme Court issued a decision which could significantly alter how lobbyists and members of the public interact with elected officials and government employees. The decision subjects state and local public officials’ and employees’ personal emails, text messages and other electronic communications to public disclosure under the […]
Recent Fines by City Ethics Commission Should Be Wake up Call to City Lobbyists Fines levied this week by the City Ethics Commission against three lobbying entities highlight the Commission’s new emphasis on enforcing the City’s lobbying law – and should serve as a reminder to all organizations involved in […]
The Fair Political Practices Commission has approved biennial cost of living increase to gift and contribution limits for the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018. Gift Limit (applicable to all state and local covered public officials) Please note that – in addition to the above increases – there […]
BY BRADLEY W. HERTZ Unbeknownst to many attorneys, a flurry of litigation precedes the printing of the voter information guide and sample ballot each election cycle. This somewhat secret world of pre-election litigation involves high-stakes skirmishes over how candidates are permitted to describe themselves to the voters, how ballot questions […]
