Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign statements: filing.

The Political Reform Act of 1974 requires enumerated individuals and entities to file campaign statements with the Secretary of State. The act requires certain of these individuals and entities to file online or by electronic means, as specified, and it permits others to do so voluntarily. Existing law requires that online filers continue to file in paper format until the Secretary of State determines that the online and electronic disclosure systems are operating securely and effectively. Existing law specifies that the paper filing be considered the official filing for audit and other legal purposes. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to certify an online and electronic disclosure system for public use, as specified. This bill would eliminate the requirement that those filers who file online or by electronic means also file in paper format pending the determination by the Secretary of State. The bill would become operative when the Secretary of State certifies the online filing and disclosure system for public use. The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act's purposes upon a 23 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.