Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill designed to strengthen campaign finance laws and bolster enforcement. Assembly Bill 800 gives the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) the authority to audit campaign funds and seek court injunctions to force compliance before elections.

Previously, the FPPC was unable to commence audits of committees until after the conclusion of the general election. The bill also gives preference to civil actions filed by the FPPC in court to ensure disclosures happen before the election.

The bill took effect upon signature.

Lawmakers sent Gov. Jerry Brown a bill designed to strengthen campaign finance laws in response to a recent case prompting the largest campaign reporting fine in state history. Assembly Bill 800 gives the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) the authority to audit campaign funds and seek court injunctions to force compliance with its investigations before elections.

The bill is a response to $15 million in anonymous donations given through an Arizona-based nonprofit that funneled the cash to California political action committees through intermediary groups. The FPPC issued a $1 million fine against two of the groups involved.

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday, February 4, to pursue outsourcing the enforcement of political ethics to the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). Officials will ask the state Legislature to authorize the FPPC to enforce county ethics ordinances.

The unanimous vote was in response to a 2013 grand jury report titled, “A Call for Ethical Standards: Corruption in Orange County.”

Supporters of the approach cite San Bernardino County, which recently contracted with the FPPC to audit county campaigns and to prosecute ethics violations. The grand jury’s proposal would also give an independent authority the power to recommend ordinance changes concerning conflicts of interest, gifts, contract procurement, campaign finance, and lobbying.

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

“K Street pushes to shape $1T omnibus spending legislation” by Bernie Becker and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Chamber chief promises midterm blitz” by Ben Goad and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“GOP leadership aide heads to K Street” by Peter Schroeder in The Hill.

“Yelp seeks DC clout after rapid rise” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.

Kauai County, Hawaii: “Lobbying bill gets green light” by Darin Moriki in The Garden Island.

Maryland: “Report: Top Md. Lobbyists Bring In More Than $37M” by The Associated Press in CBS Baltimore News.

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “Colorado GOP wants to skirt campaign contribution limits” by Reid Wilson in The Washington Post.

Missouri: “Court To Hear Challenge To Campaign Finance Limits” by Rachel Lippmann in St. Louis Public Radio.

Vermont: “Vt. lawmakers reach deal on campaign finance reform” on WCAX News.

Ethics

Arkansas: “Plenty of unknowns in how to impeach Ark. lt. gov.” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) in the San Jose Mercury News.

California: “FPPC heads to court over money laundering allegations against Roger Hernandez” by Rebecca Kimitch in the Daily Bulletin.

Florida: “Palm Beach County Ethics Commission slowdown raises questions” by Andy Reid in the Sun Sentinel.

New York: “Ethics reformers call on Cuomo to use ʹmaximum leverageʹ” by Jessica Alaimo in Capital New York.

Virginia: “Virginia Governor Apologizes for Scandal During His Final State of the State” by Olympia Meola in Governing.

From the State Legislatures

Iowa: “Governor, lawmakers set modest goals for 2014” by Catherine Lucey in the Quad-City Times.

Maine: “ʹLow expectationsʹ for legislative session as election-year politics loom” by Christopher Cousins in the Bangor Daily News.

Missouri: “5 things to know about Missouri’s legislative session” by Chris Blank (Associated Press) in the Missourian.

Lobbying

“Lobbying Follows Political Activity Into Dark Money” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

“K Street Review: Some Trends In the World of Lobbying For 2013” by Tess Venden Dolder in Streetwise’s InTheCapital.

“Influential Boeing lobbyist Coffey dies at 86” by The Associated Press in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Campaign Finance

California: “Former California lawmaker pays state fine, closes committee” in The Sacramento Bee.

Delaware: “Investigation into campaign finance abuse in Delaware may not lead to new laws” by Sean Carlson in WDDE News.

Maine: “Cutler says he wonʹt take PAC money for 2014 race, will run ʹunboughtʹ” by Christopher Cousins in the Bangor Daily News.

Massachusetts: “Coakley moves to fix lingering campaign finance problems” by Frank Phillips in the Boston Globe.

Michigan: “Critics knock Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder for reversal on ʹissue adʹ donor transparency” by Jonathan Oosting in Michigan Live.

Missouri: “Well known political contributor makes large year-end donation” by The Associated Press in KRCG News.

New York: “NYC commissioner of investigation to head Campaign Finance Board” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

North Carolina: “New N.C. campaign finance laws raise limits, soften disclosure” in the News & Record.

Wisconsin: “Campaign finance bill stalls in Senate” by Bob Hague in the Wisconsin Radio Network.

Ethics

Arkansas: “Arkansas Ethics Commission proposes fines, letters of warning and caution to ex-lawmaker” by The Associated Press in The Tribune.

“Arkansas governor asks lieutenant governor to quit over ethics case” by Chuck Bartels (Associated Press) in the Deseret News.

“Lieutenant governor refuses call to resign over ethics flap” in The Columbus Dispatch.

Georgia: “Georgia ethics commission corrects mistake” by Mark Rice in the Ledger-Enquirer.

South Carolina: “State, legislative ethics panels owed money; House committee may pursue fines in court” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) in The Republic.

West Virginia: “Beckley mayor leaving office after ethics probe” by Jennifer Smith in the West Virginia Metro News.

In the Legislatures

“The Top 10 Legislative Issues to Watch in 2014” by Chris Kardish, J.B. Wogan, Mike Maciag, Liz Farmer, and Ryan Holeywell in Governing.

“12 State Legislators to Watch in 2014” by Louis Jacobson in Governing.

Elections

“GOP Crafts New Rules To Shorten 2016 Primary Season” by S.V. Dáte on NPR.

Alaska: “Handful of new Alaska laws take effect in new year” by Becky Bohrer in the Anchorage Daily News.

Massachusetts: “Dates set for 2 Mass. House elections” by The Associated Press in The Boston Herald.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Congress wishes Twitter a happy New Year” by Tal Kopan in Politico.

“The Top 5 Government Tech Stories of 2013” by Joseph Marks in NextGov.

“Coming in 2014: Facebook Across Government” by Joseph Marks in NextGov.

Lobbying

“Lobby firm brings on Obama aide” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

California: “FPPC fines ex-lawmaker Mike Roos for improper contributions” by Laurel Rosenhall in The Sacramento Bee.

Florida: “Tallahassee lobbyists won’t be audited until 2015” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.

Campaign Finance

California: “Assemblyman Alejo to return $21,092 in excess campaign contributions” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Ethics

“Hacking Attempts on Federal Election Commisison Website” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

California: “Ex-Senate leader Dean Florez faces fines for misusing campaign funds” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Florida: “Suspend ethics commission, state audit committee tells Palm Beach County” by Jennifer Sorentrue in the Palm Beach Post.

Massachusetts: “Massachusetts: State Ethics Commission conflict plan could have ‘huge effect on towns’” by Andy Metzger in The Republican.

Elections

“Roll Call’s 10 Most Vulnerable House Members Revealed” by Shira T. Center and Emily Cahn and Abby Livingston in Roll Call.

Alabama: “Alabama Special Election Is Proxy Battle for National GOP” by Emily Cahn in Roll Call.

Mississippi: “3 special elections for House seats Tuesday” by The Associated Press in the Sun Herald.

South Carolina: “Dozens of cities are holding elections in SC” by The Associated Press in GoUpstate.com.

Redistricting

Alaska: “Redistricting board withdraws request for delay” by The Associated Press in the Anchorage Daily News.

Lobbying

“Exclusive: Washington lobbying law firm in merger talks – sources” by Casey Sullivan in Reuters.

Nevada: “Public policy maker or private lobbyist? 10 state officials play dual roles” by Andrew Doughman in the Las Vegas Sun.

Campaign Finance

Delaware: “Delaware Faces Lawsuit Over Campaign Finance Law That Targets Political Speech” by Ed Krayewski in Reason.com.

Michigan: “Michigan investigating Bernero, aides after campaign finance complaint” by Kristen M. Daum in the Detroit Free Press.

Nevada: “Sandoval campaign offers perks for cash” by Sandra Chereb (Associated Press) in the Miami Herald.

New Jersey: “Special interest groups exert growing influence in N.J. campaigns” by Matt Friedman in The Star-Ledger.

New York: “State limit on donations in doubt” by Rick Karlin in the Times Union.

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin lawmakers rake in special interest money” by Donovan Slack in the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Ethics

California: “Settlement is last hurrah for campaign finance watchdog Ann Ravel” by Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times.

California: “Calif., PACs reach $1M campaign-finance settlement” by The Associated Press in the Las Vegas Sun.

California: “L.A. moves to boost limits on gifts to lawmakers” by David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times.

Florida: “Ethics Commission wants more time for Fresen case” by James Call in the Florida Current.

Georgia: “Jordan to join Ga. ethics commission” by Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) I the Athens Banner-Herald.

Iowa: “Iowa Senate ethics rule protects the ‘first-in-the-nation’ franchise” by James Q. Lynch in the Sioux City Journal.

New York: “Job interview raises ethical questions” by James M. Odato in the Times Union.

Oklahoma: “Jurors at political bribery trial see negative side of Oklahoma Legislature” by Nolan Clay in The Oklahoman.

Texas: “Regulating Campaigns and Lobbying, Seen and Unseen” by Ross Ramsey in the Texas Tribune.

Elections

“2013 Legislative Elections: Fierce but Few” by Daniel C. Vock in Stateline.

From the State Legislatures

Hawaii: “Hawaii lawmakers to hold special session to consider gay marriage” by Malia Mattoch and Suzanne Roig in Reuters.

Montana: “Montana legislators debate rolling back term limits” by Reid Wilson in The Washington Post.

National:

Lobbying Bonanza as Firms Try to Influence European Union

New York Times – Eric Lipton Danny Hakim | Published: 10/18/2013

As the European Union has emerged as a regulatory superpower, its policies have become ever more important to corporations operating across borders. In turn, the lobbying business in Brussels has become larger and more competitive, rivaled only by Washington, D.C. Some say American law firms are undercutting efforts to bring more transparency to lobbying in the Belgian capital, citing lawyer-client confidentiality to evade a government-backed but voluntary disclosure effort.

State Pro-Business Organizations Are Publicly Funded, but Privately Controlled

The Center for Public Integrity – Nicholas Kusnetz | Published: 10/23/2013

Some states have given control over corporate tax incentives to public-private partnerships that are often run by the states’ most influential businesspeople. Supporters say these partnerships are more nimble than government bureaucracies and are insulated from electoral politics. But much of the spending remains secret. Even most public agencies do not disclose the recipients of all the incentives because of tax privacy laws.

Federal:

Cassidy Lobby Shop Goes Social

Washington Post – Catherine Ho | Published: 10/18/2013

With the lobbying business at a standstill on K Street, even big firms such as Cassidy & Associates have to embrace new ways of reaching policymakers and clients to protect their bottom lines. Cassidy has been trying to attract visitors to its Web site, which the firm has spent the last year overhauling to attract more potential clients through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Alabama Considers Creating Election Commission

San Francisco Chronicle – Philip Rawls (Associated Press) | Published: 10/19/2013

Candidates have to report their contributions and expenditures to the Alabama secretary of state, but little is being done to make sure the reports are filed accurately. Some lawmakers said the solution could be to create a small state agency similar to the Federal Elections Commission.

California – FPPC Fines Arizona Group $1 Million for Campaign Finance Violations

Sacramento Bee – Laurel Rosenhall | Published: 10/24/2013

The California Fair Political Practices Commission levied a combined $1 million fine against Americans for Responsible Leadership and the Center to Protect Patient Rights for illegally funneling millions of dollars into a pair of ballot measure campaigns in 2012.

California – Riverside County Supervisors to Amend Campaign Finance Rules

Desert Sun; City News Service –   | Published: 10/22/2013

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors amended campaign finance regulations so candidates or PACs will, beginning January 1, 2014, have to electronically post details of a contribution within 10 days if the amount meets or exceeds $1,000. The revision affects candidates for assessor-clerk-recorder, auditor-controller, district attorney, judge, sheriff, supervisor, superintendent of schools, and treasurer-tax collector, as well as sponsors of ballot measures that are countywide in scope.

District of Columbia – Campaign Finance Reform Will Get D.C. Council Vote Next Month

Washington Post – Mike DeBonis | Published: 10/22/2013

The District of Columbia Council will vote on a package of campaign finance reforms as soon as November 5. The changes would restrict the ability of different companies owned by the same people to donate to the same candidate, require lobbyists to disclose their bundling of campaign contributions, and require political committees to report donations of $10,000 or more they believe to have been bundled, among other provisions.

Georgia – Commissioner: State auditor to handle ethics probe

Columbus Republic – Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) | Published: 10/22/2013

The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts will investigate concerns surrounding the state ethics commission and its handling of complaints involving Gov. Nathan Deal. State Auditor Greg Griffin was initially appointed by the governor since the job became open outside of a legislative session. That connection to Deal drew criticism from Senate Minority Leader Steve Henson, who called the decision a “travesty of justice,” and said a special prosecutor would have been a better option.

Hawaii – Ethics Probe into Honolulu Mayor Sparks Talk of Reform

Honolulu Civil Beat – Nick Grube | Published: 10/18/2013

Ethical questions have been raised about a luau to celebrate the inauguration of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, including whether it was a vehicle used by city contractors and lobbyists to curry favor with the new mayor. It has also opened up the debate over whether Honolulu’s ethics laws need to be strengthened to close any loopholes regarding gift-giving.

Michigan – Activists ‘Make it Rain’ in Michigan House, Drop Fake Million Dollar Bills on Lawmakers

MLive.com – Jonathan Oosting | Published: 10/23/2013

Anti-corruption protesters shouted from the Michigan House gallery as they showered state lawmakers with fake million dollar bills. The national group Represent Us says Michigan has one of the worst records of government corruption in the nation. It pulled a similar stunt in the New York Senate this June.

Montana – Montana Legislature Committee Hears Divide over Political Practices Job

The Missoulian – Charles Johnson | Published: 10/22/2013

The Legislature’s State Administration and Veterans’ Affairs Committee is studying Montana’s political practices office and looking at how other states regulate of campaign finances, ethics, and lobbyist and disclosure. Any recommendations will go to the 2015 Legislature for consideration. Those testifying before the committee offered divergent opinions about the role of the office and how it should be structured.

New York – Group Supporting Lhota Can Accept Unlimited Donations, Court Says

New York Times – Thomas Kaplan | Published: 10/24/2013

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled a political committee created to support New York City mayoral candidate Joseph Lhota can accept contributions above the $150,000 annual limit for individuals set by state law. The judges said the state’s cap on donations to independent political groups was probably unconstitutional.

New York – New Bill Would Require Businesses Seeking State Contracts to Detail Donations to Governor

New York Daily News – Ken Lovett | Published: 10/22/2013

A bill introduced recently in the New York Legislature would require businesses seeking state agency contracts to make public a list of all campaign contributions made to the governor and others in the executive branch. Before any contract could be awarded, the companies would have to detail all donations from the business, its subsidiaries, key employees, and their spouses over the preceding 18 month period.

Texas – 5th Circ. Axes Texas Ban on Corporate PAC Donations

Law360.com – Jeremy Heallen | Published: 10/16/2013

The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Texas cannot bar PACs from soliciting corporate donations, making it the fourth Circuit Court to uphold indirect corporate political contributions since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling. Texans for Free Enterprise, a PAC that does not contribute directly to campaigns but solicits donations to run ads supporting or opposing candidates, had challenged the law.

Washington – Wash. AG Still Seeking Penalty against Food Industry Group That Didn’t Disclose Donors

Columbus Republic – Mike Baker (Associated Press) | Published: 10/22/2013

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson will move ahead with a lawsuit filed against the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Ferguson said he will still seek penalties from the group, which recently identified donors who contributed money to oppose a food labeling initiative. The attorney general said the case involved concealing a record-setting amount of donations and there must be sanctions for violating the law.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

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Gov. Jerry Brown has signed three bills sponsored by the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) designed to promote government transparency:

• Assembly Bill 409 creates an electronic filing system for public officials who file annual statements of economic interest (Form 700), allowing greater public accessibility to the statements;
• Assembly Bill 552 gives the FPPC greater authority to collect fines from individuals and entities who violate laws regarding campaign finance, lobbying, and conflicts of interest; and
• Assembly Bill 1090 allows the FPPC to give written or telephone advice to public officials about conflicts of interest in government contracts.

Assembly Bill 409 takes effect immediately. Assembly Bill 552 and Assembly Bill 1090 are effective January 1, 2014.

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

Louisiana: “Veteran lobbyist leaves Louisiana Association of Business and Industry” by Julia O’Donoghue in The Times-Picayune.

Campaign Finance

“Justices clash over campaign finance law” by Sam Baker in The Hill.

“Supreme Court conservatives skeptical of campaign finance limits” by Josh Gerstein and Byron Tau in Politico.

“Chief Justice Roberts: A Campaign Finance Moderate Who Gets It?” by Rick Hasen in the Election Law Blog.

California: “Brown signs three FPPC bills, vetoes campaign finance bill” by Laurel Rosenhall in The Sacramento Bee.

Colorado: “Campaign-finance complaint filed against opponents of pot-tax issue” by Jeremy P. Meyer in The Denver Post.

Kentucky: “Supreme Court ruling in campaign finance case could affect Kentucky Senate race” by Sam Youngman in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

New York: “NY Minute: Will voters decide fate of publicly financed campaigns?” by Teri weaver in the The Post-Standard.

Ethics

California: “Gov. Brown gives public a closer look at elected officials’ finances” by Patrick McGreevy and Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times.

Georgia: “Ex-state IT specialist claims he removed documents from Gov. Deal ethics file” by Greg Bluestein in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Ohio: “Letters from Mandel show he lobbied for donor” by Joe Vardon in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

South Carolina: “SC senators not sold on independent ethics panel” by Adam Beam in The State.

Tech and Social Media

“Chicago Candidate Wants to Transform Political Discussion” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.

Open Government

Maryland: “City broke laws by meeting in secret, state board rules” by Luke Broadwater in the Baltimore Sun.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists cheer plan to jam Dems by linking debt hike to tax reform” by Kevin Bogardus and Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

Florida: “Lobbyist audits may be on the way — 8 years after the law was passed to do so” by Matt Dixon in the Florida Times-Union.

Washington: “New Lobbyist Meal Form To Distinguish Chowder From Steak” by Austin Jenkins on Northwest Public Radio.

Campaign finance

“The next Citizens United could affect campaign spending in the states” by Niraj Chokshi in The Washington Post.

“The End of Contribution Limits? | Rules of the Game” opinion piece by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

Kentucky: “Kentucky disability lawyer pleads guilty to campaign-finance violation” by Bill Estep in the Herald-Leader.

Ethics

Rhode Island: “RI Ethics Commission to investigate complaint that Fox violated rules by not reporting income” by David Klepper (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Redistricting

Arizona: “Republicans file new challenge to congressional district lines” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Star.

Social Media

California: “The Buzz: FPPC approves new rules for political bloggers” by Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.

Lobbying

California: “California political watchdog sets sights on major cases” by Christopher Cadelago in The Sacramento Bee.

Florida: “Lobbying group wants a say in auditing process” by Rochelle Koff in Miami Herald’s Naked Politics blog.

Utah: “Las Vegas business leaders broaden approach to DC lobbying” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Campaign Finance

“Supreme Court may strike new blow to campaign funding laws” by David G. Savage in the Los Angeles Times.

Arizona: “Campaign finance law throws twist at candidates” by The Associated Press in KSAZ Fox10 News.

Arkansas: “Ethics panel: Candidate’s corporation can’t provide free office space” by John Lyon in the Arkansas News.

Delaware: “Illegal donations to Jack Markell’s 2008 campaign discovered” by Maureen Milford in The News Journal.

Wisconsin: “Political Conduits: Pouring Millions Into Wisconsin Elections” by Tim Morrissey in Public News Service.

Ethics

“Senate confirms Obama’s FEC nominees” by Byron Tau in Politico.

Georgia: “Claims in ex-Ga. Ethics Commission leader’s lawsuit call agency’s independence into question” by The Associated Press in the Seymour Tribune.

Georgia: “LaBerge Gets Raise As Ethics Comm. Cuts Costs” by The Associated Press on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

State Legislatures

Florida: “Lawmakers return to Tallahassee for committee week” by Michael Van Sickler in the Miami Herald.

The Fair Political Practices Commission has released the first known government ethics app. A free smartphone app called Gift Tracker is available for Android 4.0 phones (coming soon for iPhones) to let state officials and employees record gifts received from restricted sources.

Features allow users to record and search gift donors and the balance of allowable gifts remaining. In other words, an official sitting down to a free meal can check his phone to determine whether he orders the salad or the steak.

Information and download of the app are available here.

Ann Ravel, Chair of the Fair Political Practices Commission, has assigned a working group to take on issues relating to lobbying disclosure practices. Currently, lobbying disclosure forms allow reporting of huge sums in a catch-all category requiring no detailed reporting to authorities.

State law allows groups hiring lobbyists to report spending related to lobbying, but not meeting the legal definition of lobbying, as a single lump sum in a category listed as “other payments to influence.” Over the past 12 years, lobbying groups have listed in this category over one-quarter of the $2.9 billion spent on lobbying efforts.

The working group is set to include lobbyists, watchdog representatives, and political lawyers.