The Oklahoma Ethics Commission will hold a regular meeting on Friday, April 9 at 10 a.m. to discuss the use of campaign funds for officeholders and lobbyist expenditures.

On the topic of campaign finance, the meeting will cover the campaign funds for officeholders to purchase gifts of small value for visitors, including students, to their offices at the capitol. The commission will also review campaign fund expenditure categories to provide more clarity for what expenses are campaign-related, officeholder-related, or surplus funds.

On the topic of lobbyist expenditures, the commission will review the expenditure lump-sum category of food and beverage provides for a caucus event to include events that do not pertain to caucus business. Implementation of a non-solicitation requirement for gifts from lobbyists and liaisons for state officers and employees will also be considered.

The meeting will be held in person and live-streamed for the public. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 14.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer will uphold the bulk of a San Francisco ordinance requiring political ads to disclose top donors and secondary funding sources.

Proposition F requires print, audio, and video political ads disclose the top three donors who contributed at least $5,000. If one of those donors is a PAC, the committee’s top two donors must also be disclosed.

The judge rejected claims the ad disclosure law hinders political speech.

Yes on Prop B argued the law unconstitutionally burdens its right to free speech and cited an en banc Ninth Circuit panel decision in American Beverage Association v. San Francisco blocking the city from requiring health warnings taking up 20% of billboard ads for sodas and sweetened drinks.

Judge Breyer found the court decision was not really on point because Proposition F was passed by a voter referendum and regulates political speech as opposed to commercial speech.

The judge also rejected an argument donor information is easily accessible on the San Francisco Ethics Commission website stating putting the onus on voters to look up the information would not match the law’s intent.

While refusing to block most of the law, Judge Breyer agreed requiring lengthy disclaimers for small print and short length political ads is likely unconstitutional and indicated he will issue a partial injunction blocking those types of restrictions.

New Mexico’s Secretary of State pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the misuse of campaign funds. Dianna Duran is accused of funneling campaign contributions into personal accounts, filing false campaign finance disclosures, and using the funds to frequent casinos.

Amid pressure to resign, Duran’s attorney said she has not been convicted of a crime and will remain the sitting secretary of state. State legislators will meet later this month to begin an investigation as part of impeachment proceedings.