The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), the non-partisan commission with primary responsibility for the administration of the Political Reform Act, recently revised and expanded certain regulations pertaining to “behested payment” by an elected official.
The Political Reform Act requires an elected state official, elected local official or Public Utilities Commission (PUC) member to disclose certain information about payments made for a charitable, legislative, or governmental purpose when the official is involved in making the request for payment. (Sections 82004.5(c), 82041.3, and 84224.) These types of payments are known as “behested payments” and must be reported by the official whenever a single source (payor) makes payments that add up to $5,000 in a calendar year, within 30 days of the payment date. Note: a behested payment that confers a benefit on the official may be subject to the Act’s gift limit and gift reporting requirements as well. (Section 82004.5(c).)
The FPPC also revised the California Form 803 – Behested Payment Report, used by elected officials to disclose made at their behest, principally for legislative, governmental, or charitable purposes.
For more information on what constitutes a behested payment and responses to frequently asked questions, visit the FPPC Fact Sheet on the Behested Payment Report.
Additionally, the FPPC is offering training on behested payments and the Form 803 on Wednesday, August 24 at 2pm, via webinar. Registration for the training is free, and anyone interested in attending can register here: https://mailchi.mp/b48b4dc3aa7a/082422-behested-payment-webinar.
(NOTE: For those unable to attend because they plan to attend the CSDA Annual Conference and Exhibitor Showcase, a recording of the training and training materials will be posted on the FPPC website.)
For questions regarding the revised report and upcoming webinar, contact the FPPC at advice@fppc.gov, or 1-866-275-3772.
#AdvocacyNews#FeatureNews