Section § 84300

Explanation

This law states that political contributions and expenditures over $100 cannot be made or received in cash. If cash contributions are received, they must be refunded within certain timeframes to not be counted—72 hours for regular contributions and 48 hours for late contributions. Contributions over $100 must be documented with a written instrument like a check from the donor's account, showing both the donor and payee's names. In-kind contributions, which are non-cash donations, over $100 must be reported in writing if the recipient requests it.

(a)CA Government Code § 84300(a) No contribution of one hundred dollars ($100) or more shall be made or received in cash.
A cash contribution shall not be deemed received if it is not negotiated or deposited and is returned to the contributor before the closing date of the campaign statement on which the contribution would otherwise be reported. If a cash contribution, other than a late contribution, as defined in Section 82036, is negotiated or deposited, it shall not be deemed received if it is refunded within 72 hours of receipt. In the case of a late contribution, as defined in Section 82036, it shall not be deemed received if it is returned to the contributor within 48 hours of receipt.
(b)CA Government Code § 84300(b) No expenditure of one hundred dollars ($100) or more shall be made in cash.
(c)CA Government Code § 84300(c) No contribution of one hundred dollars ($100) or more other than an in-kind contribution shall be made unless in the form of a written instrument containing the name of the donor and the name of the payee and drawn from the account of the donor or the intermediary, as defined in Section 84302.
(d)CA Government Code § 84300(d) The value of all in-kind contributions of one hundred dollars ($100) or more shall be reported in writing to the recipient upon the request in writing of the recipient.

Section § 84301

Explanation

This law states that when making a contribution, you must use your real, legal name. You can't contribute money using someone else's name or a fake name.

No contribution shall be made, directly or indirectly, by any person in a name other than the name by which such person is identified for legal purposes.

Section § 84302

Explanation

This law states that if you give a donation or contribution on behalf of someone else, you must tell the recipient your full name, address, job, and employer's name or, if you work for yourself, your business location. You also need to provide the same information about the other person for whom the donation is made. The person receiving the donation has to report this information in their campaign statement for both you and the original donor.

A person shall not make a contribution on behalf of another, or while acting as the intermediary or agent of another, without disclosing to the recipient of the contribution both that person’s own full name and street address, occupation, and the name of that person’s employer, if any, or that person’s principal place of business if that person is self-employed, and the full name and street address, occupation, and the name of employer, if any, or principal place of business if self-employed, of the other person for whom the contribution is made. The recipient of the contribution shall include in the recipient’s campaign statement the full name and street address, occupation, and the name of the employer, if any, or the principal place of business if self-employed, of both the intermediary and the contributor.

Section § 84303

Explanation

This law states that if an agent or independent contractor spends $500 or more on behalf of a candidate or committee for anything other than regular operations, the candidate or committee must report the expense as if they made it themselves. This includes expenditures made by advertising agencies and similar parties.

Additionally, if a subagent or subcontractor is involved, they must inform the primary agent of all necessary details for reporting, who then must pass it on to the candidate or committee. This must happen at least three days before the relevant campaign statement is due, except for certain expenditures that must be reported to the candidate or committee within 24 hours.

(a)CA Government Code § 84303(a) An expenditure of five hundred dollars ($500) or more shall not be made, other than for overhead or normal operating expenses, by an agent or independent contractor, including, but not limited to, an advertising agency, on behalf of or for the benefit of a candidate or committee unless it is reported by the candidate or committee as if the expenditure were made directly by the candidate or committee.
(b)CA Government Code § 84303(b) A subagent or subcontractor who provides goods or services to or for the benefit of a candidate or committee shall make known to the agent or independent contractor all of the information required to be reported by this section, and the agent or independent contractor shall then make known to the candidate or committee all of the information required to be reported by this section no later than three working days prior to the time the campaign statement reporting the expenditure is required to be filed, except that an expenditure that is required to be reported by Section 84203 or 84204 shall be reported to the candidate or committee within 24 hours of the time that it is made.

Section § 84304

Explanation

This law ensures that no one can anonymously donate $100 or more to a political candidate, committee, or any other person in a single calendar year. If such a donation is made, the recipient cannot keep it and must send it to the Secretary of State to be put into the state's General Fund.

No person shall make an anonymous contribution or contributions to a candidate, committee or any other person totaling one hundred dollars ($100) or more in a calendar year. An anonymous contribution of one hundred dollars ($100) or more shall not be kept by the intended recipient but instead shall be promptly paid to the Secretary of State for deposit in the General Fund of the state.

Section § 84305

Explanation

This law outlines the rules for sending mass mailings or electronic mailings in elections. It requires candidates, their committees, or political party committees to include their name, street address, and city on every piece of a mass mailing, or on at least one insert inside the mail. They can use a P.O. box if their address is publicly recorded. For electronic mailings, the sender’s name must be included with the phrase 'Paid for by' in a prominent font size. If the mailing is controlled by a committee, the name of the controlling person must be included. 'Mass electronic mailing' is defined as sending over 200 similar emails in a month, not including solicited communications. These rules do not apply to mailings paid for by independent expenditures.

(a)Copy CA Government Code § 84305(a)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 84305(a)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a candidate, candidate controlled committee established for an elective office for the controlling candidate, or political party committee shall not send a mass mailing unless the name, street address, and city of the candidate or committee are shown on the outside of each piece of mail in the mass mailing and on at least one of the inserts included within each piece of mail of the mailing in no less than 6-point type that is in a color or print that contrasts with the background so as to be easily legible. A post office box may be stated in lieu of a street address if the candidate’s, candidate controlled committee established for an elective office for the controlling candidate’s, or political party committee’s address is a matter of public record with the Secretary of State.
(2)CA Government Code § 84305(a)(2) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a committee, other than a candidate controlled committee established for an elective office for the controlling candidate or a political party committee, shall not send a mass mailing that is not required to include a disclosure pursuant to Section 84504.2 unless the name, street address, and city of the committee is shown on the outside of each piece of mail in the mass mailing and on at least one of the inserts included within each piece of mail of the mailing in no less than 6-point type that is in a color or print that contrasts with the background so as to be easily legible. A post office box may be stated in lieu of a street address if the committee’s address is a matter of public record with the Secretary of State.
(b)CA Government Code § 84305(b) If the sender of the mass mailing is a single candidate or committee, the name, street address, and city of the candidate or committee need only be shown on the outside of each piece of mail.
(c)Copy CA Government Code § 84305(c)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 84305(c)(1) A candidate, candidate controlled committee established for an elective office for the controlling candidate, or political party committee shall not send a mass electronic mailing unless the name of the candidate or committee is shown in the electronic mailing preceded by the words “Paid for by” in at least the same size font as a majority of the text in the electronic mailing.
(2)CA Government Code § 84305(c)(2) A committee, other than a candidate controlled committee established for an elective office for the controlling candidate or a political party committee, shall not send a mass electronic mailing that is not required to include a disclosure pursuant to Section 84502 or 84504.3 unless the name of the committee is shown in the electronic mailing preceded by the words “Paid for by” in at least the same size font as a majority of the text in the electronic mailing.
(d)CA Government Code § 84305(d) If the sender of a mass mailing is a controlled committee, the name of the person controlling the committee shall be included in addition to the information required by subdivision (a) or (c).
(e)CA Government Code § 84305(e) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1)CA Government Code § 84305(e)(1) “Mass electronic mailing” means sending more than 200 substantially similar pieces of electronic mail within a calendar month. “Mass electronic mailing” does not include a communication that was solicited by the recipient, including, but not limited to, acknowledgments for contributions or information that the recipient communicated to the organization.
(2)CA Government Code § 84305(e)(2) “Sender” means the candidate, candidate controlled committee established for an elective office for the controlling candidate, or political party committee who pays for the largest portion of expenditures attributable to the designing, printing, and posting of the mailing which are reportable pursuant to Sections 84200 to 84216.5, inclusive.
(3)CA Government Code § 84305(e)(3) To “pay for” a share of the cost of a mass mailing means to make, to promise to make, or to incur an obligation to make, any payment: (A) to any person for the design, printing, postage, materials, or other costs of the mailing, including salaries, fees, or commissions, or (B) as a fee or other consideration for an endorsement or, in the case of a ballot measure, support or opposition, in the mailing.
(f)CA Government Code § 84305(f) This section does not apply to a mass mailing or mass electronic mailing that is paid for by an independent expenditure.

Section § 84305.5

Explanation

This section outlines the rules for slate mailers, which are promotional materials supporting or opposing ballot measures. These mailers must prominently display the name, address, and city of the organization or committee responsible, either on the outside or on an insert inside the mailer, in a legible manner.

The mailer must include a bold notice stating it is not from an official political party, and it must indicate which candidates or measures have paid to appear in the mailer with an asterisk (*). If a candidate belongs to a different political party than what the mailer seems to represent, their party designation must be included.

Any payment made for appearances in the mailer implies consent and requires the asterisk designation.

(a)CA Government Code § 84305.5(a) No slate mailer organization or committee primarily formed to support or oppose one or more ballot measures shall send a slate mailer unless:
(1)CA Government Code § 84305.5(a)(1) The name, street address, and city of the slate mailer organization or committee primarily formed to support or oppose one or more ballot measures are shown on the outside of each piece of slate mail and on at least one of the inserts included with each piece of slate mail in no less than 8-point roman type which shall be in a color or print which contrasts with the background so as to be easily legible. A post office box may be stated in lieu of a street address if the street address of the slate mailer organization or the committee primarily formed to support or oppose one or more ballot measure is a matter of public record with the Secretary of State’s Political Reform Division.
(2)CA Government Code § 84305.5(a)(2) At the top or bottom of the front side or surface of at least one insert or at the top or bottom of one side or surface of a postcard or other self-mailer, there is a notice in at least 8-point roman boldface type, which shall be in a color or print which contrasts with the background so as to be easily legible, and in a printed or drawn box and set apart from any other printed matter. The notice shall consist of the following statement:
NOTICE TO VOTERS
THIS DOCUMENT WAS PREPARED BY (name of slate mailer organization or committee primarily formed to support or oppose one or more ballot measures), NOT AN OFFICIAL POLITICAL PARTY ORGANIZATION. Appearance in this mailer does not necessarily imply endorsement of others appearing in this mailer, nor does it imply endorsement of, or opposition to, any issues set forth in this mailer. Appearance is paid for and authorized by each candidate and ballot measure which is designated by an *.
(3)CA Government Code § 84305.5(3) The name, street address, and city of the slate mailer organization or committee primarily formed to support or oppose one or more ballot measures as required by paragraph (1) and the notice required by paragraph (2) may appear on the same side or surface of an insert.
(4)CA Government Code § 84305.5(4) Each candidate and each ballot measure that has paid to appear in the slate mailer is designated by an *. Any candidate or ballot measure that has not paid to appear in the slate mailer is not designated by an *.
The * required by this subdivision shall be of the same type size, type style, color or contrast, and legibility as is used for the name of the candidate or the ballot measure name or number and position advocated to which the * designation applies except that in no case shall the * be required to be larger than 10-point boldface type. The designation shall immediately follow the name of the candidate, or the name or number and position advocated on the ballot measure where the designation appears in the slate of candidates and measures. If there is no slate listing, the designation shall appear at least once in at least 8-point boldface type, immediately following the name of the candidate, or the name or number and position advocated on the ballot measure.
(5)CA Government Code § 84305.5(5) The name of any candidate appearing in the slate mailer who is a member of a political party differing from the political party which the mailer appears by representation or indicia to represent is accompanied, immediately below the name, by the party designation of the candidate, in no less than 9-point roman type which shall be in a color or print that contrasts with the background so as to be easily legible. The designation shall not be required in the case of candidates for nonpartisan office.
(b)CA Government Code § 84305.5(b) For purposes of the designations required by paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the payment of any sum made reportable by subdivision (c) of Section 84219 by or at the behest of a candidate or committee, whose name or position appears in the mailer, to the slate mailer organization or committee primarily formed to support or oppose one or more ballot measures, shall constitute a payment to appear, requiring the * designation. The payment shall also be deemed to constitute authorization to appear in the mailer.

Section § 84305.7

Explanation

This law requires slate mailer organizations to get written permission before using a logo or trademark similar to those of government agencies or certain nongovernmental organizations (like law enforcement or firefighting groups) that might imply endorsement.

If they identify themselves using terms related to public safety, they must disclose whether they actually represent or are affiliated with public safety personnel.

The required disclosure must include exact numbers if they do represent public safety workers, or a statement that they don't if they don't.

Disclosures must be prominently displayed in a specific format, including font size, location on the mailer, and contrasting colors, to ensure visibility to the reader.

(a)CA Government Code § 84305.7(a) If a slate mailer organization sends a slate mailer or other mass mailing that displays a logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark that is identical or substantially similar to the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark of a governmental agency, and that would reasonably be understood to imply the participation or endorsement of that governmental agency, the slate mailer organization shall obtain express written consent from the governmental agency associated with the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark prior to using the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark in the slate mailer or other mass mailing.
(b)CA Government Code § 84305.7(b) If a slate mailer organization sends a slate mailer or other mass mailing that displays a logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark that is identical or substantially similar to the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark of a nongovernmental organization that represents law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical, or other public safety personnel, and that would reasonably be understood to imply the participation or endorsement of that nongovernmental organization, the slate mailer organization shall obtain express written consent from the nongovernmental organization associated with the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark prior to using the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark in the slate mailer or other mass mailing.
(c)CA Government Code § 84305.7(c) If a slate mailer organization sends a slate mailer or other mass mailing that identifies itself or its source material as representing a nongovernmental organization with a name that includes the term “peace officer,” “reserve officer,” “deputy,” “deputy sheriff,” “sheriff,” “police,” “highway patrol,” “California Highway Patrol,” “law enforcement,” “firefighter,” “fire marshal,” “paramedic,” “emergency medical technician,” “public safety,” or any other term that would reasonably be understood to imply that the nongovernmental organization is composed of, represents, or is affiliated with, law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical, or other public safety personnel, the slate mailer or mass mailing shall disclose the total number of law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical, or other public safety members in the nongovernmental organization identified in the slate mailer or mass mailing, as provided in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d). If the slate mailer organization is not composed of or does not represent any members who are law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical, or other public safety personnel, the slate mailer or mass mailing shall disclose that the slate mailer organization does not represent public safety personnel, as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(d)CA Government Code § 84305.7(d) A disclosure pursuant to subdivision (c) shall include one of the following statements:
(1)CA Government Code § 84305.7(d)(1) If the slate mailer organization represents public safety personnel members: “This organization represents ____ public safety personnel.” The slate mailer organization shall fill in the blank part of the statement with the number of public safety personnel members it represents.
(2)CA Government Code § 84305.7(d)(2) If the slate mailer organization does not represent public safety personnel members: “This organization does not represent any public safety personnel.”
(e)CA Government Code § 84305.7(e) A disclosure pursuant to subdivision (d) shall be in a format that satisfies all of the following:
(1)CA Government Code § 84305.7(e)(1) Printed in roman type that is no less than 14-point font.
(2)CA Government Code § 84305.7(e)(2) Located on the outside of the slate mailer or mass mailing within one-half of an inch of the recipient’s name and address.
(3)CA Government Code § 84305.7(e)(3) Contained in a box with an outline that has a line weight of at least 3.25 pt. The background color of the box shall be in a contrasting color to the background of the slate mailer or mass mailing. The outline of the box shall be in a contrasting color to both the background color of the mailing and the background color of the box. The color of the text of the disclosure shall be in a contrasting color to the background color of the box.
(f)Copy CA Government Code § 84305.7(f)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 84305.7(f)(1) For purposes of subdivision (c), “member” means any of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 84305.7(f)(1)(A) A person who, pursuant to a specific provision of an organization’s articles or bylaws, may vote directly or indirectly for the election of a director or officer or for the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the organization in a merger or dissolution.
(B)CA Government Code § 84305.7(f)(1)(B) A person designated as a member in the articles or bylaws of an organization that is tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)) and who has the right to vote to change the organization’s articles or bylaws or has paid dues to the organization.
(C)CA Government Code § 84305.7(f)(1)(C) Members of a local union are considered to be members of any national or international union of which the local union is a part and of any federation with which the local, national, or international union is affiliated.

Section § 84306

Explanation

If someone collects campaign donations on behalf of a candidate or committee, they must quickly report these contributions to the candidate or their designated person, or to the committee's treasurer. 'Quickly' means no later than the due date for any campaign finance report that the candidate or committee needs to file.

All contributions received by a person acting as an agent of a candidate shall be reported promptly to the candidate or any of the candidate’s designated agents. All contributions received by a person acting as an agent of a committee shall be reported promptly to the committee’s treasurer or any of the treasurer’s designated agents. “Promptly” as used in this section means not later than the closing date of any campaign statement the committee or candidate for whom the contribution is intended is required to file.

Section § 84307

Explanation

This law states that political contributions must be kept separate from personal money or anyone else's money. You can't mix these funds together.

No contribution shall be commingled with the personal funds of the recipient or any other person.

Section § 84307.5

Explanation

If you're an elected official or running for office, your spouse or domestic partner can't be paid from your campaign's funds for any services they provide.

A spouse or domestic partner of an elected officer or a candidate for elective office shall not receive, in exchange for services rendered, compensation from campaign funds held by a controlled committee of the elected officer or candidate for elective office.

Section § 84308

Explanation

This law outlines the rules about contributions to officers at government agencies during proceedings related to licenses, permits, or entitlements. "Party" refers to someone applying for or involved in such proceedings, while a "participant" is an interested person who supports or opposes a decision and has a financial interest.

Officers must not accept contributions over $500 from these parties or participants during the proceeding and for 12 months after the decision. If they do, they may return the contribution within 30 days to avoid disqualification. Contributions must also be disclosed if received within the last 12 months.

Certain types of contracts and contributions are exempt, such as competitively bid contracts or those under $50,000. The law specifies that both an individual and their firm can be considered an "agent," and outlines what counts as communication aiming to influence a proceeding.

(a)CA Government Code § 84308(a) The definitions set forth in this subdivision shall govern the interpretation of this section.
(1)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(1) “Party” means any person who files an application for, or is the subject of, a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use.
(2)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(2) “Participant” means any person who is not a party but who actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use and who has a financial interest in the decision, as described in Article 1 (commencing with Section 87100) of Chapter 7. A person actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding if that person lobbies in person the officers or employees of the agency, testifies in person before the agency, or otherwise acts to influence officers of the agency. A person is not a “participant” under this paragraph if their financial interest in the decision results solely from an increase or decrease in membership dues.
(3)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(3) “Agency” means an agency as defined in Section 82003 except that it does not include the courts or any agency in the judicial branch of government, the Legislature, the Board of Equalization, or constitutional officers. However, this section applies to any person who is a member of an exempted agency but is acting as a voting member of another agency.
(4)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(4) “Officer” means any elected or appointed officer of an agency, any alternate to an elected or appointed officer of an agency, and any candidate for elective office in an agency, other than a city attorney or county counsel providing legal advice to the agency who does not have the authority to make a final decision in the proceeding.
(5)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” means all business, professional, trade, and land use licenses and permits and all other entitlements for use, including all entitlements for land use, all contracts, and all franchises.
(B)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A)(B) “License, permit, or other entitlement for use” does not include any of the following:
(i)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A)(B)(i) Competitively bid contracts that are required by law, agency policy, or agency rule to be awarded pursuant to a competitive process.
(ii)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A)(B)(ii) Labor contracts.
(iii)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A)(B)(iii) Personal employment contracts.
(iv)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A)(B)(iv) Contracts valued under fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(v)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A)(B)(v) Contracts where no party receives financial compensation.
(vi)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A)(B)(vi) Contracts between two or more agencies.
(vii)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A)(B)(vii) The periodic review or renewal of development agreements unless there is a material modification or amendment proposed to the agreement. Non-material modifications or amendments may be approved by agency staff.
(viii)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A)(B)(viii) The periodic review or renewal of competitively bid contracts unless there are material modifications or amendments proposed to the agreement that are valued at more than 10 percent of the value of the contract or fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), whichever is less. Non-material modifications or amendments may be approved by agency staff.
(ix)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(5)(A)(B)(ix) Modification of or amendments to contracts that are exempt under this subparagraph, other than competitively bid contracts.
(6)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(6) “Contribution” includes contributions to candidates and committees in federal, state, or local elections.
(7)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(7) “Pending” in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use means either of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(7)(A) For an officer, when either of the following occurs:
(i)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(7)(A)(i) An item involving the license, permit, or other entitlement for use is placed on the agenda for discussion or decision at a public meeting of the body of which the officer is a member.
(ii)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(7)(A)(ii) The officer knows a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use is within the jurisdiction of the officer’s agency for its decision or other action, and it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision will come before the officer in the officer’s decisionmaking capacity.
(B)CA Government Code § 84308(a)(7)(B) For a party or party’s agent, or a participant or participant’s agent, when an application is filed with an agency, or, if the proceeding process does not require an application, when the proceeding is before the agency for its decision or other action.
(b)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(b)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(b)(1) While a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use is pending, and for 12 months following the date a final decision is rendered in the proceeding, an officer of an agency shall not accept, solicit, or direct a contribution of more than five hundred dollars ($500) from any party or a party’s agent, or from any participant or a participant’s agent if the officer knows or has reason to know that the participant has a financial interest, as that term is used in Article 1 (commencing with Section 87100) of Chapter 7. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the officer accepts, solicits, or directs the contribution on the officer’s own behalf, or on behalf of any other officer, or on behalf of any candidate for office or on behalf of any committee.
(2)CA Government Code § 84308(b)(2) With respect to elected officers, paragraph (1) applies only if the elected officer or the body of which they are a member has the authority to make any decision or recommendation in the proceeding.
(c)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(c)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(c)(1) Before rendering any decision in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, each officer of the agency who received a contribution within the preceding 12 months in an amount of more than five hundred dollars ($500) from a party or from any participant shall disclose that fact on the record of the proceeding. An officer of an agency shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use the officer’s official position to influence the decision in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use if the officer has willfully or knowingly received a contribution in an amount of more than five hundred dollars ($500) within the preceding 12 months from a party or a party’s agent, or from any participant or a participant’s agent if the officer knows or has reason to know that the participant has a financial interest in the decision, as that term is described with respect to public officials in Article 1 (commencing with Section 87100) of Chapter 7.
(2)CA Government Code § 84308(c)(2) With respect to elected officers, paragraph (1) applies only if the elected officer or the body of which they are a member has the authority to make any decision or recommendation in the proceeding.
(d)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(d)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(d)(1) If an officer receives a contribution that would otherwise require disqualification under this section, and returns the contribution within 30 days from the time the officer makes any decision, or knows, or should have known, about the contribution and the proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, whichever comes last, the officer shall be permitted to participate in the proceeding.
(2)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(d)(2)
(A)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(d)(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), if an officer accepts, solicits, or directs a contribution of more than five hundred dollars ($500) during the 12 months after the date the final decision is rendered in violation of subdivision (b), the officer may cure the violation by returning the contribution, or the portion of the contribution in excess of five hundred dollars ($500), within 30 days of accepting, soliciting, or directing the contribution, whichever comes latest.
(B)CA Government Code § 84308(d)(2)(A)(B) An officer may cure a violation as specified in subparagraph (A) only if the officer did not knowingly and willfully accept, solicit, or direct the prohibited contribution.
(C)CA Government Code § 84308(d)(2)(A)(C) An officer’s controlled committee, or the officer if no controlled committee exists, shall maintain records of curing any violation pursuant to this paragraph.
(e)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(e)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(e)(1) A party to a proceeding before an agency involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use shall disclose on the record of the proceeding any contribution in an amount of more than five hundred dollars ($500) made within the preceding 12 months before the date that any decision is rendered by the agency by the party or the party’s agent.
(2)CA Government Code § 84308(e)(2) A party to a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use pending before any agency or a participant in the proceeding shall not make a contribution of more than five hundred dollars ($500) to any officer of that agency during the proceeding and for 12 months following the date the final decision is rendered by the agency in the proceeding.
(3)CA Government Code § 84308(e)(3) An agent to a party or participant shall not make a contribution in any amount to an officer during the time periods described in paragraph (2).
(4)CA Government Code § 84308(e)(4) When a closed corporation is a party to, or a participant in, a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use pending before an agency, the majority shareholder is subject to the disclosure and prohibition requirements specified in this section.
(f)CA Government Code § 84308(f) This section shall not be construed to imply that any contribution subject to being reported under this title shall not be so reported.
(g)CA Government Code § 84308(g) For the purposes of this section, in determining whether a contribution has exceeded five hundred dollars ($500), the contributions of an agent shall not be aggregated with contributions from a party or participant.
(h)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(h)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(h)(1) A person is the “agent” of a party to, or a participant in, a pending proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use only if the person represents that party or participant for compensation and appears before or otherwise communicates with an agency for the purpose of influencing the proceeding on behalf of a party or participant.
(2)CA Government Code § 84308(h)(2) If an individual acting as an agent is also acting as an employee or member of a law, architectural, engineering, or consulting firm, or a similar entity or corporation, both the entity or corporation and the individual are “agents.”
(3)CA Government Code § 84308(h)(3) “Agent” includes a lobbyist registered to lobby the agency and who otherwise meets the requirements of paragraph (1).
(4)CA Government Code § 84308(h)(4) “Communicate with the agency for the purpose of influencing the proceeding” does not include either of the following:
(A)CA Government Code § 84308(h)(4)(A) Preparing drawings or submissions of an architectural, engineering, or similar nature for a client to submit in a proceeding before the agency if both of the following conditions are met:
(i)CA Government Code § 84308(h)(4)(A)(i) The work is performed pursuant to the person’s profession.
(ii)CA Government Code § 84308(h)(4)(A)(ii) The person does not make any contact with the agency other than contact with agency staff concerning the process or evaluation of the documents prepared by the person.
(B)CA Government Code § 84308(h)(4)(B) Providing technical data or analysis to an agency if the person does not otherwise engage in direct communication for the purpose of influencing the proceeding.
(i)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(i)
(1)Copy CA Government Code § 84308(i)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
(2)CA Government Code § 84308(i)(2) Subdivision (g) is not severable from paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) if paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) is held invalid in a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. If that occurs, subdivision (g) shall become inoperative on the date of that final decision.

Section § 84309

Explanation

This law prohibits anyone from receiving or delivering campaign contributions inside the State Capitol, state office buildings, or state-funded offices, except for legislative district offices. Delivering contributions personally means doing it yourself or having someone else do it for you. Receiving means getting campaign contributions delivered in person.

(a)CA Government Code § 84309(a) No person shall receive or personally deliver or attempt to deliver a contribution in the State Capitol, in any state office building, or in any office for which the state pays the majority of the rent other than a legislative district office.
(b)CA Government Code § 84309(b) For purposes of this section:
(1)CA Government Code § 84309(b)(1) “Personally deliver” means delivery of a contribution in person or causing a contribution to be delivered in person by an agent or intermediary.
(2)CA Government Code § 84309(b)(2) “Receive” includes the receipt of a campaign contribution delivered in person.

Section § 84310

Explanation

If a political campaign or organization pays for 500 or more phone calls to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure, they must disclose who authorized or funded the calls during each call. This rule doesn't apply to calls made by the candidate or volunteers. Campaigns can't hire phone banks that don't provide this disclosure information, and they must keep records of the call scripts or recordings. However, calls made by independent expenditures are exempt from these requirements.

(a)CA Government Code § 84310(a) A candidate, candidate controlled committee established for an elective office for the controlling candidate, political party committee, or slate mailer organization shall not expend campaign funds, directly or indirectly, to pay for telephone calls that are similar in nature and aggregate 500 or more in number, made by an individual, or individuals, or by electronic means and that advocate support of, or opposition to, a candidate, ballot measure, or both, unless during the course of each call the name of the candidate, candidate controlled committee established for an elective office for the controlling candidate, political party committee, or slate mailer organization that authorized or paid for the call is disclosed to the recipient of the call. Unless the organization that authorized the call and in whose name it is placed has filing obligations under this title, and the name announced in the call either is the full name by which the organization or individual is identified in any statement or report required to be filed under this title or is the name by which the organization or individual is commonly known, the candidate, candidate controlled committee established for an elective office for the controlling candidate, political party committee, or slate mailer organization that paid for the call shall be disclosed. This section does not apply to telephone calls made by the candidate, the campaign manager, or individuals who are volunteers.
(b)CA Government Code § 84310(b) Campaign and ballot measure committees are prohibited from contracting with any phone bank vendor that does not disclose the information required to be disclosed by subdivision (a).
(c)CA Government Code § 84310(c) A candidate, committee, or slate mailer organization that pays for telephone calls as described in subdivision (a) shall maintain a record of the script of the call for the period of time set forth in Section 84104. If any of the calls qualifying under subdivision (a) were recorded messages, a copy of the recording shall be maintained for that period.
(d)CA Government Code § 84310(d) This section does not apply to a telephone call that is paid for by an independent expenditure.