The Fair Political Practices Commission has adopted new and amended regulations to implement SB 1439 – the bill adopted last year that extended the Levine Act’s (Gov. Code § 84308) requirements to local elected officials. SB 1439 provides that local elected officials – including city council members, special district board members and school district board members – are now required to “conflict out” of certain proceedings involving persons that made contributions to their respective political campaigns. The statute also prohibits officials from receiving contributions exceeding $250 from a party to or participant in the proceeding, or their agents, while such a proceeding is pending and for 12 months after the final decision in the proceeding. Prior to the passage of SB 1439, the Levine Act only applied to officials serving on appointed boards.
The new FPPC guidance provides some clarification as to how the bill should be implemented, including by defining who is consider an “officer” and when a proceeding is considered “pending.” In addition to discussing the new FPPC guidance, this webinar will also consider recommended best practices for implementation.