Campaign contributions: agency officers.

The Political Reform Act of 1974 prohibits certain contributions of more than $250 to an officer of an agency by any party, participant, or party or participant's agent in a proceeding while a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use is pending before the agency and for 12 months following the date a final decision is rendered in the proceeding, as specified. The act requires disclosure on the record of the proceeding, as specified, of certain contributions of more than $250 within the preceding 12 months to an officer from a party or participant, or party's agent. This bill would exempt a city attorney or county counsel providing legal advice to the agency who does not have the authority to make a final decision in the proceeding from the definition of "officer" for purposes of these provisions. The bill would specify that certain types of contracts, including the periodic review or renewal of development agreements and competitively bid contracts, unless there are material modifications or amendments to the agreement, are not considered a license, permit, or other entitlement for these purposes. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 84308 of the Government Code proposed by SB 1243 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1243 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. 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.