As you may recall, the California Supreme Court issued a decision last year which dramatically changed the environment for citizen initiatives aiming to impose special taxes at the local level. The Court effectively concluded that the constitutional two-thirds voter approval requirement for special taxes only applies when the taxes are […]
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a package of significant changes to the City’s campaign and ethics laws earlier this week. The package places new restrictions on campaign contributions from individuals and entities seeking government contracts and development agreements; imposes new reporting obligations on political committees; creates an entirely […]
This is a reminder that the 24-hour reporting period for political contributions begins today, March 7, 2018. Any contributions made to state or local candidates or ballot measures in the upcoming June 2018 election which aggregate $1,000 or more must be reported within 24 hours of being made. Contributions made […]
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 […]
