Amended IN Senate March 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 760Introduced by Senator AllenFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 81000 84224 of the Government Code, relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 760, as amended, Allen. Political Reform Act of 1974. Behested payments: public appeal for payment.The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive regulation of campaign financing, including imposing reporting requirements on elected officials and campaign committees. Under the act, a behested payment is a payment that is made at the behest of a committee, an elected officer, or a member of the Public Utilities Commission, under specified circumstances, that is made principally for personal, charitable, legislative, or governmental purposes. The Act requires officers and members of the Public Utilities Commission to report behested payments within 30 days of the payment or payments exceeding $5,000 in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made.This bill would exempt a behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission from these reporting obligations if they make a public appeal for payment, as specified, unless it is reasonably foreseeable that the payment will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 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.The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive regulation of political campaigns, lobbying, and other matters relating to governmental ethics and elections.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the provision naming the act.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 84224 of the Government Code is amended to read:84224. (a) A behested payment described in subdivision (b) shall be reported within 30 days following the date on which the payment or payments equal or exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made. The report shall be filed by the behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission with the officers or members agency and is a public record subject to inspection and copying pursuant to Section 81008. The report shall contain all of the following information: name of payor; address of payor; amount of the payment or payments; date or dates the payment or payments were made; the name and address of the payee; a brief description of the goods or services provided or purchased, if any; and a description of the specific purpose or event for which the payment or payments were made. Once the five-thousand-dollar ($5,000) aggregate threshold from a single source has been reached for a calendar year, all payments for the calendar year made by that source shall be disclosed within 30 days after the date the threshold was reached or the payment was made, whichever occurs later. Within 30 days after receipt of the report, state agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission, shall forward a copy of these reports to the Fair Political Practices Commission, and local agencies shall forward a copy of these reports to the officer with whom elected officers of that agency file their campaign statements.(b) The reporting requirement imposed by this section applies to a behested payment that satisfies each of the following:(1) The payment is made at the behest of an elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission.(2) The behesting elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission does not provide full and adequate consideration in exchange for the payment.(3) The payment is made principally for a legislative, governmental, or charitable purpose.(4) If made principally for a legislative or governmental purpose, the payment is made by a person other than a state, local, or federal governmental agency.(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a report is not required if the behest results from an officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission making a public appeal for payment by any of the following means:(A) Television.(B) Radio.(C) Billboard.(D) A public message on an online platform.(E) The distribution of 200 or more identical pieces of printed material.(F) The distribution of a single email to 200 or more recipients.(G) A speech to a group of 20 or more individuals.(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) It is reasonably foreseeable that a payment for which the public appeal for the behest was made will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the behesting official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.(B) The behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission is informed that a specific payment was made as a result of the officer or members public appeal.SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.SECTION 1.Section 81000 of the Government Code is amended to read:81000.This title shall be known, and may be cited, as the Political Reform Act of 1974.
Amended IN Senate March 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 760Introduced by Senator AllenFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 81000 84224 of the Government Code, relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 760, as amended, Allen. Political Reform Act of 1974. Behested payments: public appeal for payment.The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive regulation of campaign financing, including imposing reporting requirements on elected officials and campaign committees. Under the act, a behested payment is a payment that is made at the behest of a committee, an elected officer, or a member of the Public Utilities Commission, under specified circumstances, that is made principally for personal, charitable, legislative, or governmental purposes. The Act requires officers and members of the Public Utilities Commission to report behested payments within 30 days of the payment or payments exceeding $5,000 in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made.This bill would exempt a behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission from these reporting obligations if they make a public appeal for payment, as specified, unless it is reasonably foreseeable that the payment will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 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.The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive regulation of political campaigns, lobbying, and other matters relating to governmental ethics and elections.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the provision naming the act.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
Amended IN Senate March 24, 2025
Amended IN Senate March 24, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 760
Introduced by Senator AllenFebruary 21, 2025
Introduced by Senator Allen
February 21, 2025
An act to amend Section 81000 84224 of the Government Code, relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 760, as amended, Allen. Political Reform Act of 1974. Behested payments: public appeal for payment.
The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive regulation of campaign financing, including imposing reporting requirements on elected officials and campaign committees. Under the act, a behested payment is a payment that is made at the behest of a committee, an elected officer, or a member of the Public Utilities Commission, under specified circumstances, that is made principally for personal, charitable, legislative, or governmental purposes. The Act requires officers and members of the Public Utilities Commission to report behested payments within 30 days of the payment or payments exceeding $5,000 in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made.This bill would exempt a behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission from these reporting obligations if they make a public appeal for payment, as specified, unless it is reasonably foreseeable that the payment will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 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.The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive regulation of political campaigns, lobbying, and other matters relating to governmental ethics and elections.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the provision naming the act.
The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive regulation of campaign financing, including imposing reporting requirements on elected officials and campaign committees. Under the act, a behested payment is a payment that is made at the behest of a committee, an elected officer, or a member of the Public Utilities Commission, under specified circumstances, that is made principally for personal, charitable, legislative, or governmental purposes. The Act requires officers and members of the Public Utilities Commission to report behested payments within 30 days of the payment or payments exceeding $5,000 in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made.
This bill would exempt a behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission from these reporting obligations if they make a public appeal for payment, as specified, unless it is reasonably foreseeable that the payment will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 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.
The Political Reform Act of 1974 provides for the comprehensive regulation of political campaigns, lobbying, and other matters relating to governmental ethics and elections.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the provision naming the act.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 84224 of the Government Code is amended to read:84224. (a) A behested payment described in subdivision (b) shall be reported within 30 days following the date on which the payment or payments equal or exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made. The report shall be filed by the behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission with the officers or members agency and is a public record subject to inspection and copying pursuant to Section 81008. The report shall contain all of the following information: name of payor; address of payor; amount of the payment or payments; date or dates the payment or payments were made; the name and address of the payee; a brief description of the goods or services provided or purchased, if any; and a description of the specific purpose or event for which the payment or payments were made. Once the five-thousand-dollar ($5,000) aggregate threshold from a single source has been reached for a calendar year, all payments for the calendar year made by that source shall be disclosed within 30 days after the date the threshold was reached or the payment was made, whichever occurs later. Within 30 days after receipt of the report, state agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission, shall forward a copy of these reports to the Fair Political Practices Commission, and local agencies shall forward a copy of these reports to the officer with whom elected officers of that agency file their campaign statements.(b) The reporting requirement imposed by this section applies to a behested payment that satisfies each of the following:(1) The payment is made at the behest of an elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission.(2) The behesting elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission does not provide full and adequate consideration in exchange for the payment.(3) The payment is made principally for a legislative, governmental, or charitable purpose.(4) If made principally for a legislative or governmental purpose, the payment is made by a person other than a state, local, or federal governmental agency.(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a report is not required if the behest results from an officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission making a public appeal for payment by any of the following means:(A) Television.(B) Radio.(C) Billboard.(D) A public message on an online platform.(E) The distribution of 200 or more identical pieces of printed material.(F) The distribution of a single email to 200 or more recipients.(G) A speech to a group of 20 or more individuals.(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) It is reasonably foreseeable that a payment for which the public appeal for the behest was made will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the behesting official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.(B) The behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission is informed that a specific payment was made as a result of the officer or members public appeal.SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.SECTION 1.Section 81000 of the Government Code is amended to read:81000.This title shall be known, and may be cited, as the Political Reform Act of 1974.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 84224 of the Government Code is amended to read:84224. (a) A behested payment described in subdivision (b) shall be reported within 30 days following the date on which the payment or payments equal or exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made. The report shall be filed by the behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission with the officers or members agency and is a public record subject to inspection and copying pursuant to Section 81008. The report shall contain all of the following information: name of payor; address of payor; amount of the payment or payments; date or dates the payment or payments were made; the name and address of the payee; a brief description of the goods or services provided or purchased, if any; and a description of the specific purpose or event for which the payment or payments were made. Once the five-thousand-dollar ($5,000) aggregate threshold from a single source has been reached for a calendar year, all payments for the calendar year made by that source shall be disclosed within 30 days after the date the threshold was reached or the payment was made, whichever occurs later. Within 30 days after receipt of the report, state agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission, shall forward a copy of these reports to the Fair Political Practices Commission, and local agencies shall forward a copy of these reports to the officer with whom elected officers of that agency file their campaign statements.(b) The reporting requirement imposed by this section applies to a behested payment that satisfies each of the following:(1) The payment is made at the behest of an elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission.(2) The behesting elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission does not provide full and adequate consideration in exchange for the payment.(3) The payment is made principally for a legislative, governmental, or charitable purpose.(4) If made principally for a legislative or governmental purpose, the payment is made by a person other than a state, local, or federal governmental agency.(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a report is not required if the behest results from an officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission making a public appeal for payment by any of the following means:(A) Television.(B) Radio.(C) Billboard.(D) A public message on an online platform.(E) The distribution of 200 or more identical pieces of printed material.(F) The distribution of a single email to 200 or more recipients.(G) A speech to a group of 20 or more individuals.(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) It is reasonably foreseeable that a payment for which the public appeal for the behest was made will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the behesting official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.(B) The behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission is informed that a specific payment was made as a result of the officer or members public appeal.
SECTION 1. Section 84224 of the Government Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
84224. (a) A behested payment described in subdivision (b) shall be reported within 30 days following the date on which the payment or payments equal or exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made. The report shall be filed by the behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission with the officers or members agency and is a public record subject to inspection and copying pursuant to Section 81008. The report shall contain all of the following information: name of payor; address of payor; amount of the payment or payments; date or dates the payment or payments were made; the name and address of the payee; a brief description of the goods or services provided or purchased, if any; and a description of the specific purpose or event for which the payment or payments were made. Once the five-thousand-dollar ($5,000) aggregate threshold from a single source has been reached for a calendar year, all payments for the calendar year made by that source shall be disclosed within 30 days after the date the threshold was reached or the payment was made, whichever occurs later. Within 30 days after receipt of the report, state agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission, shall forward a copy of these reports to the Fair Political Practices Commission, and local agencies shall forward a copy of these reports to the officer with whom elected officers of that agency file their campaign statements.(b) The reporting requirement imposed by this section applies to a behested payment that satisfies each of the following:(1) The payment is made at the behest of an elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission.(2) The behesting elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission does not provide full and adequate consideration in exchange for the payment.(3) The payment is made principally for a legislative, governmental, or charitable purpose.(4) If made principally for a legislative or governmental purpose, the payment is made by a person other than a state, local, or federal governmental agency.(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a report is not required if the behest results from an officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission making a public appeal for payment by any of the following means:(A) Television.(B) Radio.(C) Billboard.(D) A public message on an online platform.(E) The distribution of 200 or more identical pieces of printed material.(F) The distribution of a single email to 200 or more recipients.(G) A speech to a group of 20 or more individuals.(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) It is reasonably foreseeable that a payment for which the public appeal for the behest was made will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the behesting official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.(B) The behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission is informed that a specific payment was made as a result of the officer or members public appeal.
84224. (a) A behested payment described in subdivision (b) shall be reported within 30 days following the date on which the payment or payments equal or exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made. The report shall be filed by the behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission with the officers or members agency and is a public record subject to inspection and copying pursuant to Section 81008. The report shall contain all of the following information: name of payor; address of payor; amount of the payment or payments; date or dates the payment or payments were made; the name and address of the payee; a brief description of the goods or services provided or purchased, if any; and a description of the specific purpose or event for which the payment or payments were made. Once the five-thousand-dollar ($5,000) aggregate threshold from a single source has been reached for a calendar year, all payments for the calendar year made by that source shall be disclosed within 30 days after the date the threshold was reached or the payment was made, whichever occurs later. Within 30 days after receipt of the report, state agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission, shall forward a copy of these reports to the Fair Political Practices Commission, and local agencies shall forward a copy of these reports to the officer with whom elected officers of that agency file their campaign statements.(b) The reporting requirement imposed by this section applies to a behested payment that satisfies each of the following:(1) The payment is made at the behest of an elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission.(2) The behesting elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission does not provide full and adequate consideration in exchange for the payment.(3) The payment is made principally for a legislative, governmental, or charitable purpose.(4) If made principally for a legislative or governmental purpose, the payment is made by a person other than a state, local, or federal governmental agency.(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a report is not required if the behest results from an officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission making a public appeal for payment by any of the following means:(A) Television.(B) Radio.(C) Billboard.(D) A public message on an online platform.(E) The distribution of 200 or more identical pieces of printed material.(F) The distribution of a single email to 200 or more recipients.(G) A speech to a group of 20 or more individuals.(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) It is reasonably foreseeable that a payment for which the public appeal for the behest was made will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the behesting official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.(B) The behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission is informed that a specific payment was made as a result of the officer or members public appeal.
84224. (a) A behested payment described in subdivision (b) shall be reported within 30 days following the date on which the payment or payments equal or exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made. The report shall be filed by the behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission with the officers or members agency and is a public record subject to inspection and copying pursuant to Section 81008. The report shall contain all of the following information: name of payor; address of payor; amount of the payment or payments; date or dates the payment or payments were made; the name and address of the payee; a brief description of the goods or services provided or purchased, if any; and a description of the specific purpose or event for which the payment or payments were made. Once the five-thousand-dollar ($5,000) aggregate threshold from a single source has been reached for a calendar year, all payments for the calendar year made by that source shall be disclosed within 30 days after the date the threshold was reached or the payment was made, whichever occurs later. Within 30 days after receipt of the report, state agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission, shall forward a copy of these reports to the Fair Political Practices Commission, and local agencies shall forward a copy of these reports to the officer with whom elected officers of that agency file their campaign statements.(b) The reporting requirement imposed by this section applies to a behested payment that satisfies each of the following:(1) The payment is made at the behest of an elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission.(2) The behesting elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission does not provide full and adequate consideration in exchange for the payment.(3) The payment is made principally for a legislative, governmental, or charitable purpose.(4) If made principally for a legislative or governmental purpose, the payment is made by a person other than a state, local, or federal governmental agency.(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a report is not required if the behest results from an officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission making a public appeal for payment by any of the following means:(A) Television.(B) Radio.(C) Billboard.(D) A public message on an online platform.(E) The distribution of 200 or more identical pieces of printed material.(F) The distribution of a single email to 200 or more recipients.(G) A speech to a group of 20 or more individuals.(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if either of the following conditions is satisfied:(A) It is reasonably foreseeable that a payment for which the public appeal for the behest was made will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the behesting official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.(B) The behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission is informed that a specific payment was made as a result of the officer or members public appeal.
84224. (a) A behested payment described in subdivision (b) shall be reported within 30 days following the date on which the payment or payments equal or exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) in the aggregate from the same source in the same calendar year in which they are made. The report shall be filed by the behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission with the officers or members agency and is a public record subject to inspection and copying pursuant to Section 81008. The report shall contain all of the following information: name of payor; address of payor; amount of the payment or payments; date or dates the payment or payments were made; the name and address of the payee; a brief description of the goods or services provided or purchased, if any; and a description of the specific purpose or event for which the payment or payments were made. Once the five-thousand-dollar ($5,000) aggregate threshold from a single source has been reached for a calendar year, all payments for the calendar year made by that source shall be disclosed within 30 days after the date the threshold was reached or the payment was made, whichever occurs later. Within 30 days after receipt of the report, state agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission, shall forward a copy of these reports to the Fair Political Practices Commission, and local agencies shall forward a copy of these reports to the officer with whom elected officers of that agency file their campaign statements.
(b) The reporting requirement imposed by this section applies to a behested payment that satisfies each of the following:
(1) The payment is made at the behest of an elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission.
(2) The behesting elected officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission does not provide full and adequate consideration in exchange for the payment.
(3) The payment is made principally for a legislative, governmental, or charitable purpose.
(4) If made principally for a legislative or governmental purpose, the payment is made by a person other than a state, local, or federal governmental agency.
(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a report is not required if the behest results from an officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission making a public appeal for payment by any of the following means:
(A) Television.
(B) Radio.
(C) Billboard.
(D) A public message on an online platform.
(E) The distribution of 200 or more identical pieces of printed material.
(F) The distribution of a single email to 200 or more recipients.
(G) A speech to a group of 20 or more individuals.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if either of the following conditions is satisfied:
(A) It is reasonably foreseeable that a payment for which the public appeal for the behest was made will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the behesting official or member of the Public Utilities Commission, or a member of their immediate family.
(B) The behesting officer or member of the Public Utilities Commission is informed that a specific payment was made as a result of the officer or members public appeal.
SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
### SEC. 2.
This title shall be known, and may be cited, as the Political Reform Act of 1974.