The 68^th Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, April 4. The session lasted 89 days with a focus on tax cuts but also included a passed bill affecting the Lobbyist Registration Act. House Bill 398 reorganizes the state’s Sunshine Laws by moving the lobbying provisions within Title 67, Chapter 66, State Government and State Affairs, to Title 74, Chapter 7, Transparent and Ethical Government. The bill also updates the definition of lobbying to clarify both direct and indirect efforts to influence covered officials are considered lobbying. The bill becomes effective July 1.

The Orange County Council has voted to raise the campaign contribution limit from $2,500 to $2,700 per election cycle. The Orange County Campaign Reform Ordinance requires the board to adjust the campaign contribution limitation in February of every odd year. The Orange County Council adjusts the contribution limit according to changes in the Consumer Price Index and rounds to the nearest $100. The new campaign contribution limit becomes effective April 10, 2025.

The 68^th Legislature adjourned sine die on Thursday, March 6. The session lasted 37 days with 165 passed bills, including five overrides out of the seven vetoes by Gov. Mark Gordon. Initially, there was a focus on election bills but only one bill regarding a prohibition on the distribution of unsolicited absentee ballot request forms has received the Gordon’s signature.

The Anaheim City Council recently passed Ordinance 6603, which raises the city’s campaign contribution limit for the 2025-2026 two-year election cycle. The limit will increase from $2,500 to $2,700 for corporations, PACs, individuals, and labor unions who give to local candidates and their controlled committees. The increase reflects the 7% rise in the consumer price index for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim urban area, as required by Anaheim Municipal Code. The ordinance is effective retroactively beginning on January 1.

City Council passed a resolution calling for a special election to fill the vacancy in District 2 and the vacancy for mayor created by the most recent recall election.

Mayor Shen Thao previously represented the city as mayor but left following his recall in last year’s election.

Former city council member Nikki Fortunato Bas was elected to the county board of supervisors leaving District 2 vacant.

The special election to fill these vacancies will be held April 15.

City Council passed a resolution calling for a special election to fill the vacancy in District 5.

Mayor Larry Agran previously represented District 5 but left following his election as mayor.

The special election will be held April 15.

The city council passed a resolution calling for a special election to fill the vacancy left by Councilmember Luis Chavez.

Chavez will be leaving the position following his election to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.

A few candidates have already declared their intentions of running for the vacant council seat, including Chavez’s wife, Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas, who is a current Fresno Unified Trustee.

The special primary election will be held March 18, 2025.

Gov. Gavin Newsom released a proclamation declaring that a special election will be held next year for Senate District 36 and Assembly District 32.

The seat for Assembly District 32 was vacated by Republican Vince Fong after winning a seat for congress and replacing former speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy.

The seat for Senate District 36 had been vacated after Republican Janet Nguyen was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

The special primary election for these seats will be held on February 25, 2025.

The special general election will be held on April 29, 2025.

Gov. Tina Koteck announced she is calling a special session so lawmakers may meet to appropriate funds regarding the 2024 wildfire season.

Almost two million acres of land were burned during the state’s wildfire season with costs estimated to be upwards of $350 million.

Gov. Koteck is requesting the Legislature consider voting to release $218 million to the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The special session will begin on December 12.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) recently drafted amended regulations to increase gift and contribution limits for the years 2025-2026.

The gift limit will increase from $590 to $630 per calendar year.

The contribution limit from individuals, corporations, and PACs made to candidates for the Legislature will increase from $5,500 to $5,900 per election.

The limit to candidates for statewide office, other than governor, will increase from $9,100 to $9,800 per election and the limits for the governor’s office will increase from $36,400 to $39,200.

The amended regulations will be considered at an FPPC meeting on or after January 14, 2025.

Ballot Measure TC passed on November 5, 2024, and amends the City Charter to require lobbyists to register with the Office of City Clerk, pay registration fees, and make disclosures about their lobbying activities.

The measure also makes it unlawful for a lobbyist to deliver any gift to any elected city official, city candidate, city officer, city official, city employee, or a member of a city board, commission, or committee.

Campaign contributions to city candidates are now required to be disclosed in accordance with the California Political Reform Act.

This ballot measure becomes effective once it has been accepted and filed with the Secretary of State.

However, the regulations which pertain to lobbying will be implemented by adoption of an ordinance by City Council at a later date.

On November 5, voters in the City of Los Angeles approved Ballot Measure ER, which changes the City Ethics Commission’s authority and operational independence.

The measure establishes a minimum annual budget for the City Ethics Commission; increases the commission’s authority over spending decision and hiring matters; and allows the commission to obtain outside counsel in limited circumstances.

It also increases the penalties for violations of the city’s ethics laws from $5,000 to $15,000 per violation.

The measure passed overwhelmingly with almost 75% of voter approval and will become effective December 6.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has called upon lawmakers to convene for a special session.

The session is a direct response to the reelection of Donald Trump and will focus on promoting safeguards for the state’s policies on climate changes, reproductive rights, and immigration laws.

The special session will take place on December 2, 2024.

Lt. Gov. Nancey Dahlstrom recently approved a ballot measure which would once again impose contribution limits on candidates and contributors.

The measure would go to the voters for approval during the November 2026 general election.

If approved, an individual would be able to contribute up to $2,000 to a candidate per election cycle or up to $5,000 to a political party.

An individual would also be able to contribute up to $4,000 to the governor-lieutenant candidate.

Political parties would have limits of $4,000 to candidates and $5,000 to other parties or political groups.

Those limits would be subject to increases every ten years due to inflation.

If the legislature passes similar legislation before then, the measure would be removed from the ballot in 2026.