AB 1789: Political Reform Act of 1974: candidate trainings and campaign reports.

The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive regulation of campaign financing, including requiring the reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures and imposing other reporting and recordkeeping requirements on campaign committees.

This bill would, commencing January 1, 2029, require an individual who files a statement of intention to be a candidate for elective office, other than statewide elective office, to complete a training course on the requirements of the Political Reform Act of 1974 with respect to campaigns for the office for which they intend to be a candidate. The bill would prohibit the name of a candidate who does not complete the training course from being printed on the ballot. For a candidate who does not complete the training, the bill would prohibit any committee they control, as specified, from receiving contributions until the candidate completes the training. The bill would, commencing January 1, 2029, also require the treasurer for a candidate controlled committee, other than a committee controlled by a candidate for statewide elective office, to complete a training course on the requirements of the act that apply to the committee. The bill would prohibit a committee whose treasurer does not complete the training course from accepting contributions until the training course is completed. The bill would exempt from these requirements an individual who is required to complete, and has completed, a similar training offered by a local government ethics agency. The bill would also exempt from these requirements a candidate who indicates on their statement of intention that they do not intend to qualify as a committee that receives campaign contributions in excess of $2,000, as specified.

The Political Reform Act of 1974 requires elected officers, candidates, and committees to file campaign reports containing specified information regarding, among other items, contributions and expenditures received or provided during the period covered by the report. The act also requires slate mailer organizations to file campaign reports regarding disbursements to candidates, committees, and other persons during the period covered by the report. Generally, the act requires this information to be provided for contributions, expenditures, and disbursements, as applicable, according to whether the amount is more or less than a threshold amount of $100.

This bill would increase this threshold amount to $200.

By prohibiting a committees receipt of contributions if specified conditions are not satisfied, as set forth above, the bill would create a new crime and thereby establish a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a ²/₃ vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.

This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.