HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02061996 - SD8 SD. 8
TD: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra
FROM: SUPERVISOR GAYLE BISHOP
Costa
s
County
` DATE: January 30, 1996 9Y�°rT�CUUN�
SUBJECT: REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CAMPAIGN REFORM
ORDINANCE
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
REFER to the Internal Operations Committee the responsibility to review the
implementation of the Campaign Reform Ordinance and recommend any changes
to the ordinance which are deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
In 1995, the Board of Supervisors enacted a Campaign Reform Ordinance and then
amended it on two occasions. There is a sense that some candidates and campaign
managers find the ordinance difficult to understand and comply with. I would like to
provide a forum in which, after the March 26, 1996 Primary Election, all candidates
could be invited to share their experiences with the ordinance. This will also provide
us an opportunity to review all of the campaign expenditure reports and determine
whether the ordinance is achieving its goals, including but not limited to, reducing the
amount of money that is spent on campaigns and improved financial disclosure.
Therefore, I am recommending that the Campaign Reform Ordinance be referred to
the Internal Operations Committee.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON FeF5ruary rj, i q9tj APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED BY THE BOARD that the Internal Operations
Ebiiiifi tt66 is DIRECTED to include citizens organizations (such as
the League of Women Voters) in this evaluation process, or organize
an advisory committee to be involved in this evaluation process.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
X I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
County Administrator ATTESTED February 6, 1996
Contact: County Counsel PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
cc: District Attorney SU ORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATO
County Clerk-Recorder
Assistant Registrar of Voters
Internal Operations Committee (Via CAO)
BY ,DE TY
COUNTY
�
COUNTY COUNSEL'S OFFICE CONTRA COSTA TA
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
VED
MARTINEZ, CALIFORNIA
NOV 1 5
Date: November 13 , 1995 1
OFFICE OF
COUNTY AD9iWh 'TRATOR
To: Stephen L. eir, County Clerk-Recorder
Attn: Barba Lee, Assistant County Registrar
From: Victor J. Westman, County Counsel � .A,
By: Mary Ann McNett Mason, Deputy County Counsel
Re: Campaign Spending Reform Ordinance
The Campaign Spending Reform Ordinance which regulates elections
for the office of County Supervisor and also contains provisions on
campaign disclosures was adopted in Ordinance 95-8 as an amendment to
the Contra Costa County Election Campaign ordinance. That ordinance
was later amended by Ordinances 95-35 and 95-47 . For purposes of
clarity, we have prepared a single draft of the preexisting Election
Campaign Ordinance ( sections 530-2 . 2022-530-2 . 1004 ) and Ordinances
95-8, 95-35 , and 95-47 . This document integrates all operative
provisions of the Election Campaign Ordinance as amended and the
Campaign Spending Reform Ordinance as amended. In addition, attached
are copies of the three uncodified ordinance sections applicable only
to Article 530-2 . 7 "Supervisorial Campaigns . "
You may want to circulate these documents to all declared
candidates for the office of Supervisor.
MAM: f j b
attachment
cc: Members , Board of Supe visors (District Offices )
County Administrator
James Sepulveda, Deputy District Attorney
fb5 a:\campaign.lee
1 f } I
GENERAL WELFARE AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS
Division 530
ELECTION CAMPAIGN
Chapters:
530-2 Fair Campaigns
Chapter 530-2
FAIR CAMPAIGNS
Article 530-2. 2 General
Sections:
530-2 . 202 Citation .
530-2 . 204 Purpose .
530-2 . 206 Definitions .
530-2 . 208 County election.
530-2 . 210 County offices .
530-2 . 212 Election cycle .
530-2 . 213 Local ballot measure .
530-2 . 214 Exemptions .
530-2 . 216 Broad based political
committee .
530-2 . 218 Regulations .
530-2 . 220 Informational meeting.
530-2 . 222 Limitations on filing
requirements .
Article 530-2 .4 Contributions limits
Sections:
530-2 . 402 Individual campaign
contributions .
530-2 . 403 In-kind contribution of
campaign office space.
530-2 . 404 Broad based political
committees .
530-2 . 405 Return of excess
contributions .
530-2 . 406 Governmental entities .
530-2 . 407 Contributions to
committees making
independent expenditures .
Article 530-2. 6 Candidate's Fair Campaign
Pledge
Sections:
530-2 . 602 Pledge .
530-2 . 603 Exemptions from campaign _
expenditure limit .
530-2 . 604 Voluntary pledge.
530-2 . 606 Filing.
530-2 . 608 Clerk' s duties .
SD .g
Article 530-2.7 Supervisorial Campaigns
Sections :
530-2 . 702 Application.
530-2 . 703 Individual campaign
contributions .
530-2 . 704 Broad based political
committee campaign
contributions .
530-2 . 705 Return of excess
contributions .
530-2 . 706 Limitation on personal
loans .
530-2 . 707 Voluntary expenditure
limits .
530-2 . 708 Separate and special
election cycles .
530-2 . 709 Fair Campaign Pledge.
530-2 . 710 Contributions cumulated.
Article 530-2 .8 Reporting Requirements
Sections:
530-2 . 802 Candidate and committee
reports .
530-2 . 804 Campaign statement.
530-2 . 806 Out-of-county committee
reports .
Article 530-2.9 Campaign Advertising Disclosure
Sections:
530-2 . 902 Disclosure of contributors
required .
Article 530-2. 10 Enforcement
Sections:
530-2 . 1002 Clerk and district attorney
review.
530-2 . 1003 Penalties .
530-2. 1004 District attorney' s court suits .
fb5 a:\election.530
I-AM CAMPAIGNS 530-2.202-530-2.218
: sheriff,tax collector and treasurer, including combi-
nations thereof(e.g. clerk-recorder). (Ord. 84-9).
530-2.212 Election cycle. An "election cycle"
begins July 1st or January 1st, whichever comes
first immediately following an election. An elec-
tion cycle ends June 30th or December 31st,which-
ever comes first, immediately following the next
election for the same office.(Ords. 86-27§2,849).
530-2.213 Local ballot measure."Local ballot
Article 530-2.2 measure"means any proposition which is submitted
General to popular vote at an election by action of the board
of supervisors, or any proposition which is submit-
530-2.202 Citation.This division may be cited ted or intended to be submitted to a popular vote at
as the Contra Costa County election campaign ordi- an election by initiative or referendum as provided
nance. (Ord. 849). for in California Elections Code,Division 5.Chapter
2 "County Elections," Articles 1 and 2. Sections
530-2.204 Purpose.Inherent in the high cost of 3700--3755.5 or by recall procedure for a county
election campaigns is the possibility and the appear- office, whether or not the proposition qualifies for
ance of improper influence, veal or potential, exer- the ballot. (Ord. 92-1 § 2).
cised by campaign contributors over elective offi-
cials. The intent and purpose of this chapter is: to 530-2.214 Exemptions. Notwithstanding any
preserve an orderly political forum in which persons other provision in this chapter, it does not apply to
may express themselves effectively,to place realistic contributions placed in a controlled committee(s)of
and enforceable limits on the amounts of money that an incumbent of a county office where,
may be contributed to political campaigns in county (1) That incumbent designates the committee as
elections; to decrease the cost of campaigns; to a committee to collect funds for purposes other than
prevent improper influence over elective officials; a campaign for county office;
to prevent the appearance of improper influence; to (2) Those funds are not used for any purpose
broaden the base of funding for campaigns and to related to a campaign by that incumbent; and
provide full and fair enforcement of all these provi- (3) Those funds are not transferred to or used for
sions. (Ord. 849). any other committee controlled by that incumbent
which raises or receives or spends money for the
530-2206 Definitions.Unless otherwise specif- purposes related to a campaign for a county office.
ically provided (below) or required by the context, (Ord. 84-9).
the words and phrases in this division have the same
meanings as in the Elections Code,and in the Politi- 530-2.216 Broad based political committee_
cal Reform Act of 1974 (Government Code §§ "Broad based political committee" shall have the
81,000 ff.) and regulations adopted under Sec. same meaning as Government Code Section 85102
83112 thereof. (Ord. 84-9). (d). It means a committee within the meaning of
Government Code Section 82013(a)which has been
530-2.208 County election."County election" in existence for more than six months,receives con-
means any primary, general or special election, tributions from one hundred or more persons and
including a recall election, held within this county acting in concert makes contributions to five or
for elective county office. Each primary,general or more candidates. (Ord. 89-11).
special election is a separate election for purposes
of this chapter. (Ord. 84-9). 530-2.218 Regulations. The county clerk is
authorized to adopt regulations to interpret and carry
530-2.210 County offices. "County office" out the provisions of Division 530 of this code.
means the elective offices of members of the board (Ord. 84-9).
of supervisors,assessor,auditor,county clerk,coro-
ner,district attorney,public administrator,recorder,
166-9 (contra costa county 4-92)
530-2.220-530-2.602 GENERAL WELFARE AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS
530-2..220 Informational meeting.The county in this chapter, in a single county election cycle, a
clerk shall invite all qualified candidates for county person or political committee may give up to five
office to a meeting, in the week following the close thousand dollars in in-kind contributions of cam-
of the nomination period for county office, for the paign office space and a candidate may accept one
purpose of informing them of the provisions of this or more in-kind contributions of campaign office
division. (Ord. 84-9). space which do not exceed an aggregate amount of
five thousand dollars in value. (Ord. 92-9 § 3).
530-2.= Limitations on filing requirements.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this chapter, 530-2.404 Broad based political committees.
all filing requirements found in this chapter which In any fiscal year,no broad-based political commit-
am
ommitare additional to or different from those set forth in tee shall make, and no candidate or campaign trea-
Chapter 4 of the Political Reform Act(Government surer shall accept, any cash contribution to or for a
Code Sections 84100 et seq.) shall apply only to single candidate for county office or to or for a
candidates seeking election in Contra Costa County, committee authorized in writing by the candidate to
their controlled committees or committees formed accept contributions for him. which will cause the
primarily to support or oppose their candidacies, to total amount contributed by such broad based com-
committees formed primarily to support or oppose mittee in support of that candidate during that fiscal
a local ballot measure which is being voted on only year to exceed five thousand dollars, provided,
in Contra Costa County.and county general purpose nevertheless, that the total aggregate amount of
committees active only in Contra Costa County. contributions from all broad based political commit-
which support or oppose candidates for county , tees which may be accepted by a single candidate
office or the qualification of or passage of local in an election cycle shall not exceed twenty-five
ballot measures which are being voted on only in thousand dollars. (Ord. 89-11).
Contra Costa County.(Ords.92-9§2,92-1 § 3.86-
48). 530-2.405 Return of excess contributions. If
for any reason the contribution limit set forth in
Article S30-2.4 Section 530-2.402 or 530-2.404 has been ex-
Contribution Limits ceeded, the candidate or campaign treasurer may
within thirty days after receipt, return the excess
S30-2.402 Individual campaign contribu- amount of contribution to the contributor without
tions. In a single county election cycle. no person penalty. (Ord 84-9).
or political committee (other than the candidate or
a broad based political committee) shall make, and 530-2.406 Governmental entities. No candi-
no candidate or campaign treasurer shall accept,any date or campaign treasurer shall accept any cam-
contribution to or for a single candidate for county paign contribution from any governmental entity for
office or to or for a committee authorized in writing any candidate for county office. (Ord. 84-9).
by the candidate to accept contributions for him,
which will cause the total amount contributed by
such person or political committee in support of that
candidate to exceed one thousand six hundred sev-
enty-five dollars:provided,that in any calendar year
in which the candidate-does not stand for election
the maximum permitted contribution shall be limited
to two hundred twenty-five dollars and in the calen-
dar year in which the candidate stands for election,
the maximum permitted contribution shall be five
hundred dollars for the period from January 1st - f
through June 30th and five hundred dollars for the
period from July 1st through December 31st of that
year. (Orris. 89-11 §§ 2, 3. 84-9).
530-2.403 In-kind contribution of campaign
office space. Notwithstanding any other provisions
3
530-2 . 407 Contributions to committees making independent
expenditures . In any county election cycle, any committee that
makes more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) in independent
expenditures for or against a candidate for the office of County
Supervisor during the twelve months preceding the election -for
that office shall not accept contributions exceeding two thousand
five hundred dollars ($2,500) from a single source other than
contributions from broad based political committees, which are
limited to five thousand dollars ($5,000) .
(Ord. 95-8 §2. )
Article 530-2.6
Candidate's Fair Campaign Pledge
530-2.602 Pledge. The county clerk when he
issues the declaration of candidacy,shall also issue
to each candidate for county office. a form for a
voluntary campaign pledge which shall read as
follows:
Fair Campaign Pledge
1. I shall conduct my campaign for County Of-
fice openly and fairly.
2. I shall discuss the issues and participate in fair
debate with respect to my views and qualifications.
SD -I"
3. I shall not engage in, or permit, defamatory whether such candidate has agreed to observe the
attacks on the character of my opponents; nor shall expenditure limit,or(b) any third party committee,
I engage in unwarranted invasions of personal priva- not controlled by a candidate in the same election
cy unrelated to campaign issues. provides campaign funds to either oppose the elec-
4. I shall not at any time use or permit the use tion of the candidate who voluntarily agrees to limit
of any campaign material or advertisement which his campaign expenditure,or to support the election
misrepresents, distorts, or otherwise falsifies the of any other candidate seeking the same office.
facts regarding any candidate or the candidate's (Ord. 89-11 § 7).
position on issues.
5. I shall clearly identify myself, or my cam- 530-2.604 Voluntary pledge. Each candidate
paign committee(s),as the sender of all of my cam- may choose to sign or not sign the campaign pledge.
paign mailings. (Ord. 849).
6. I shall personally approve in writing all of my
campaign material, advertisements, or mailings, 530-2.606 Filing. Any candidate may file the
prior to their use. pledge with his declaration for candidacy.(Ord. 84-
7.
47. I shall publicly repudiate support derived from 9).
an individual or group whose activities would vio-
late this Fair Campaign Pledge. 530-2.608 Clerk's duties. At the close of the
8. 1 shall file all campaign statements as required nomination period for county office, the county
by the California Political Reform Act and the Con- clerk shall issue a general press release stating the
tra Costa County Election Campaign Ordinance,on name of each candidate for county office who has,
time and with full disclosure of campaign contribu- and who has not, subscribed to the pledge of fair
dons and expenditures. campaign practices. (Ord. 849).
9. I shall not duplicate or use any lists of contri-
butors filed by any other candidates for the purpose
of compiling my own mailing lists without the
permission of the other candidate.
10. I shall limit my campaign expenses in this
election to no more than $150,000.
11. 1. the undersigned candidate for election to
a County Office in the County of Contra Costa,
hereby voluntarily endorse, subscribe to, and sol-
emnly pledge myself to conduct my campaign in
accordance with the above principles and practices.
Date Signature
Please print name, office sought and
date of election.
(Orris. 89-11, 849, 845).
530-2.603 Exemptions from campaign expen-
diture limit. Notwithstanding Section 530-2.602
(10), any candidate who voluntarily agrees to limit
his campaign expenses shall cease to be bound by
the expenditure limit if (a) any other candidate
seeking the same office, exceeds the one hundred _
fifty thousand dollar expenditure limit,regardless of
SO•
Article 530-2.7
Supervisorial Campaigns
530-2. 702 Application .
(a ) This Article applies only to candidates for the office
: of County Supervisor. Unless otherwise specified, "candidate',
includes recall- candidates . "Recall candidates" means those
candidates who are running to replace an incumbent Supervisor who
is the subject of a ballot measure calling for his or her recall .
(b) Ordinance Code sections 530-2 .402, 530-2.404 , 530-2 .405
and 530-2 .603 shall not apply to candidates for the office of
County Supervisor.
(c) To the extent that there is any conflict between the
provisions of this article and the other provisions of Chapter
530-2, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail as to
campaigns for the office of County Supervisor.
(Ord. 95-8 § 3 . )
530-2 .703 Individual campaign contributions .
(a) In a single election cycle, no person or political
committee (other than the candidate or a broad based political
committee) shall make, and no candidate or campaign treasurer
shall accept, any contribution to or for a single candidate for
County Supervisor or to or for a committee authorized in writing
by the candidate to accept contributions to him or her, which
will cause the total amount contributed by that person or
political committee in support of that candidate during that
election\,cycle to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) , except as
provided in subparagraphs (b)and (c) below.
(b) For candidates , except recall candidates, who adopt the
voluntary expenditure ceiling defined in section 530-2.707 , in a
single county election cycle, no person or political committee
(other than the candidate or a broad based political committee)
shall make, and no candidate or campaign treasurer shall accept,
any contribution to or for a single candidate for County
Supervisor or to or for a committee authorized in writing by the
candidate to accept contributions to him, which will cause the
total amount contributed by that person or political committee in
support of that candidate during that election cycle to exceed
seven hundred .and fifty dollars ( $750 ) .
(c) For recall candidates who have adopted the voluntary
expenditure ceiling defined in section 530-2 . 707, the
contribution limits for special elections specified in Government
Code section 85305 subsection(c) (1 ) and (2 ) shall apply.
(Ord. 95-8 § 3 . )
t0
530-2 . 704 Broad based political committee campaign
contributions .
(a) In a single election cycle, no broad based political
committee shall make, and no candidate or campaign treasurer
shall accept, any contribution to or for a single candidate for
County Supervisor or to or for a committee authorized in writing
by the candidate to accept contributions to him or her, which
will cause the total amount contributed by such broad based
political committee in support of that candidate during that
election cycle to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars
($2,500 ) , except as provided in subparagraphs (b) and (c ) below.
In a single election cycle, the total acareaate amount of
contributions from all broad based political committees which a
candidate may accept shall not exceed ten thousand dollars
($10,000) except as provided in subparagraphs (b) and (c) below.
(b) For candidates, except recall candidates, who adopt the
voluntary expenditure ceiling defined in section 530-2 . 707 , in a
single county election cycle, no broad based political committee
shall make, and no candidate or campaign treasurer shall accept,
any contribution to or for a single candidate for County
Supervisor or to or for a committee authorized in writing by the
candidate to accept contributions to him or her; which will cause
the total amount contributed by such broad based political
committee in support of that candidate during that election cycle
to exceed five thousand dollars ($5, 000) . In a single county
election cycle, the total aggregate amount of contributions from
all broad based political committees which a candidate adopting
the voluntary expenditure ceiling may accept shall not exceed
forty thousand dollars ($40, 000 ) .
(c) For recall candidates who adopt the voluntary
expenditure ceiling defined in section 530-2.707 , during the
special election cycle for the election to replace the incumbent
subject to recall, the contribution limits for special elections
specified in Government Code section 85305 subsection(c) ( 3) shall
apply. In a single special election cycle, the total aggregate
amount of contributions from all broad based political committees
which a recall candidate adopting the voluntary expenditure
ceiling may accept shall not exceed forty thousand dollars
($40,000 )
(Ord. 95-8 5 3 . )
50
530-2.705 Return of excess contributions . If for any
reason the contribution limits set forth in Section 530-2.703 and
530-2.704 have been exceeded, the candidate, other than a recall
candidate, or campaign treasurer may within thirty days after
receipt, return the excess amount of the contribution to the
contributor without penalty. The return of excess contributions
by recall candidates shall be governed by the provisions of the
California Code of Regulations.
(Ord. 95-8 § 3 . )
530-2 .706 Limitation on personal loans .
(a ) In a single election cycle, no candidate shall lend to
his or her campaign or controlled committee any amount in excess
of five thousand dollars ($5, 000) except as provided in
subparagraph (b) below.
(b) For candidates who adopt the voluntary expenditure
ceiling defined in section 530-2.707, in a single election cycle,
the candidate shall not lend to his or her campaign or controlled
committee any amount in excess of thirty thousand dollars
($30, 000 ) .
(Ord. 95-8 § 3 . )
SIO-2 .707 Voluntary P penditure limits
(a) Statement accepting expenditure ceiling. All
candidates, other than recall candidates, who .adopt the
expenditure ceiling specified in subsection (c) may accept
contributions in the amounts specified in section 530-2.703,
subsection (b) and section 530-2.704, subsection (b) . All recall
candidates who adopt the expenditure ceiling specified in
subsection (c) may accept contributions in the amounts specified
in section 530-2 .703 , subsection (c) and section 530-2 .704,
subsection' (c) . All candidates who adopt the expenditure ceiling
specified in subsection (c) may loan their campaigns money up to
the amount specified in section 530-2.706, subsection (b) .
Before accepting any contributions or making any loans within the
amounts specified in sections 530-2.703, subsections (b) and (c) ,
530-2.704, subsections (b) and (c) , and 530-2. 706, subsection
(b) , a candidate for a primary, general, or recall election must
file with the County Clerk- election division a statement, signed
under penalty of perjury, which states that the candidate adopts
the expenditure ceiling specified in subsection (c) below.
(b) Time for filing statement adopting expenditure ceiling.
The statement may be filed by a candidate, other than a recall
candidate, at any time after that date which is twelve months
before the date of the primary election for the office and until
such time as the candidate files his or her declaration of
candidacy. In the event the candidate is not elected to office
in the primary election, enters the runoff election, and wishes
to adopt the -expenditure ceiling for the election cycle for the
general election, the candidate must file a separate statement.
Such statement may be filed at any time after the primary
election results are final until thirty days prior to the general
election. A recall candidate may file the statement adopting the
expenditure ceiling at any time after the date the recall measure
is certified for the ballot until thirty days before the recall
election.
(c) Amount of expenditure ceiling. During an election
cycle, candidates who agree to accept the voluntary expenditure
ceiling shall not incur campaign expenditures exceeding eighty
thousand dollars ($80,000) , except as set forth in subsection (d)
below.
ORDINANCE No. 95-47
(d) Contributions from individuals. During an election
cycle, a candidate who accepts the voluntary expenditure ceiling
and who raises twenty percent of the amount of that ceiling in
contributions of less than one hundred dollars ($100) from
individuals residing in the supervisorial district in which the
candidate stands for election, may incur ten thousand dollars
1'
($10,000) in campaign expenditures in addition to that amount
permitted in subsection (c) .
(e) Notification by candidate who exceeds ceiling. A
candidate, other than a candidate who has .accepted the voluntary
expenditure ceiling and has qualified to incur additional
campaign expenditures as specified in subsection (d) , who
receives aggregate contributions exceeding the amount of the
expenditure ceiling specified in subsection (c) shall notify the
County Clerk-election division by both telephone and guaranteed
overnight mail on the day such contributions exceeding that
amount are received. A candidate, other than a candidate who has
accepted the voluntary expenditure ceiling and has qualified to
incur additional campaign expenditures as specified in subsection
(d) , who makes aggregate expenditures exceeding the- amount of the
expenditure ceiling specified in subsection (c) shall notify the
County Clerk-election division by both telephone and guaranteed
overnight mail on the day such expenditures exceeding that amount
are made. A candidate who has accepted the voluntary expenditure
ceiling and has qualified to incur additional campaign
expenditures as specified in subsection (d) , who receives
aggregate contributions exceeding the amount of the expenditure
ceiling specified in subsection (d) shall notify the County
Clerk-election division by both telephone and guaranteed
overnight mail on the .day such contributions exceeding that
amount are received. A candidate ,who has accepted the voluntary
expenditure ceiling and has qualified to incur additional
campaign expenditures as specified in subsection (d) , who makes
aggregate expenditures exceeding the amount of the expenditure
ceiling specified in subsection (d) shall notify the County
Clerk-election division by both telephone and guaranteed
overnight mail on the day such expenditures exceeding that. amount
are made. If the day on which notice is required is not a
business day, notice shall be given on the next business day.
ORDINANCE NO. 95- 47
1D
SD .�
(f) Exclusions. For purposes of this Article, expenditures
subject to the expenditure ceiling do not include:
(1) expenclitures for campaigns for other offices;
(2) expenditures for campaigns for the office of
Supervisor which. occurred prior to the effective date of
this ordinance;
(3) expenditures for office holder expenses. "Office
holder expenses" means those expenditures arising out of the
. office holder's official duties which directly assist the office
holder in performing his official duties, or which directly
relate to a governmental purpose. "Office holder expenses"
include but are not limited to, (a) donations to charitable
organizations; (b) the cost of tickets to political events; (c)
the cost of postage, office supplies, stationary and similar
expenses related to the conduct or performance of the office
holder's governmental duties; (d) reasonable expenses for travel
to conferences, seminars, educational events and similar
activities related to the office holder's position; (e) the cost
of .books or publications reasonably related to the office
holder's position; (f) litigation expenses related to the office
holder's actions as a supervisor. The expenses listed in items
(a) through (f) shall not be considered "office holder expenses"
if they are used in connection with any office holder's campaign
for a future term of office as a Supervisor.
(g) Adoption of expenditure ceiling irrevocable. A
.candidate who adopts the expenditure ceiling for the election
cycle for a particular primary election, may not thereafter
revoke his or her adoption of the expenditure ceiling as to that
election cycle. A candidate who is not elected to office in the
primary election, enters the runoff election, and adopts the
expenditure ceiling for the election cycle as to that general
election, may not thereafter revoke his or her adoption of the
expenditure ceiling as to that election cycle.
(Ords. 95-47§ 2; 95-35; 95-8 . )
'r
530-2 .708 . Separate and special election cycles .
(a ) There shall be separate election cycles for the primary
election and for the general election, unless the candidate is
elected to office in the primary election.
(b) There shall be a special election cycle for the election
to fill the seat of an incumbent Supervisor who is the subject of
a ballot measure seeking the Supervisor' s recall. The special
election cycle shall begin the date the recall measure is
certified for the ballot and shall terminate the day of the
special recall election.
(Ord. 95-8 § 3 . )
530-2 . 709 . Fair Campaign Pledge . For elections for the
office of County Supervisor, paragraph 10 of the Fair Campaign
Pledge shall read:
"I shall limit my campaign expenses in each election
cycle to no more than that amount permitted in Ordinance Code
section 530-2 . 707 "Voluntary Expenditure Limits . "
(Ord. 95-8 § 3 . )
530-2 . 710 Contributions cumulated. In a single election
cycle, if an individual, committee, or broad based political
committee contributes at least one hundred dollars to a
candidate, then the cumulative amount of any contributions to
that candidate and contributions to independent expenditure
committees on behalf of that candidate made by such individual or
committee shall not exceed seven hundred and fifty dollars
($750 ) , and in the case of broad based political committees shall
not exceed five thousand dollars ($5, 000 ) .
(Ord. 95-8 § 3 . )
Artide 530-2.8
Reporting Requirements
530-2 . 802 Candidate and Committee reports. (a ) Each
candidate, each committee supporting or opposing a candidate for
county office, each committee supporting or opposing a local
ballot measure which is being voted on only in Contra Costa and
each county general purpose committee which supports or opposes
candidates for county office or local ballot measures being voted
on only in Contra Costa County, shall file a campaign statement
in the County Clerk-election division office, on every date a
statement is required by the Political Reform Act covering the
same time period as the statement filed pursuant to state law and
two additional statements. The first additional statement shall
be filed by 12:00 noon on the seventh day before the election
covering the period between the previous statement filed and
12:00 midnight of the eighth day before the election. The second
additional statement shall be filed by 12:00 noon on the last
Friday before the election covering the period between the
previous statement filed and 12:00 midnight of the last Thursday
before the election. These additional filings must be timely
received by the filing officer and are not accomplished by
deposit in the mail . These statements shall include, in addition
to all matters required by this section, the same disclosures
required for the last campaign statement before the election by
the Political Reform Act.
(b) Each committee supporting or opposing thequalification
of a local ballot measure to be voted on only in Contra- Costa
County shall file in the County Clerk-election division office a
statement of organization and a campaign statement on every date
such statements are required by the Political Reform Act covering
the same time period as the statement filed pursuant to state
law, and additional campaign statements on the fifth day after
filing the statement of organization and the fifth day of every
month thereafter until petitions are filed or the deadline for
filing petitions, whichever is earlier. The closing date for the
period covered by an additional campaign statement shall be five
days prior to the deadline for filing the statement.
�3
(c) In addition to campaign statements, each candidate, each
county general purpose committee, and each committee supporting
or opposing a candidate for county office or the qualification or
passage of a local ballot measure which is being voted on only in
Contra Costa County, which makes independent expenditures for or
against any candidate for county office or for or against the
qualification of , or passage of any local ballot measure, shall
file an independent expenditure report in the County Clerk-
election division office, on every date a report is required by
the Political Reform Act covering the same time period as the
report filed pursuant to state law, and two additional reports .
The first additional report shall be filed by 12:.00 noon on the
seventh day before the election covering the period between the
previous report filed and 12:00 midnight of the eighth day before
the election. The second additional report shall be .filed by
12:00 noon on the last Friday before the election covering the
period between the previous report filed and 12: 00 midnight of
the last Thursday before the election. These filings must be
timely received by the filing officer and are not accomplished by
deposit in the mail . Each independent expenditure report shall
contain the same disclosures required by Government Code Section
84203.5 (b) . (Ords . 95-8 S 4 ; 92-9, 92-1 , 91-10, 84-14, 84-9 . )
530-2 . 804 Campaign Statement. Each county .campaign
statement required to be filed by candidates for county office,
county general purpose committees, committees supporting or
opposing a candidate for county office, or committees supporting
or opposing the qualification of, or passage of, a local ballot
measure which is being voted on only in Contra Costa County shall
contain:
(1 ) (a ) the total amount of all contributions received during
the period covered by the campaign statement that equaled twenty-
five dollars, or more, and (b) the total of all contributions of
less than that amount.
( 2 ) If the cumulative amount of contributions during the
election cycle from a person is more than twenty-five dollars and
less than one hundred dollars and a contribution has been
received from that person during the period covered by the
campaign statement, the statement shall include the date, amount,
and type of each contribution, such as monetary or nonmonetary
(in-kind contribution) . In the case of in-kind contributions ,
the fair market value shall be reported. If the value is
unknown, a written valuation shall be obtained from the donor and
this valuation reported.
(3 ) If the cumulative amount of contributions during the
election cycle from a person is one hundred dollars or more and'
contribution has been received from that person during the period
covered by the campaign statement, the statement shall contain
the same disclosures required by Government Code Section 84211
subsections (f ) , (r) , and (u) .
(4 ) The statement shall contain the same disclosures of
expenditures required by Government Code section 84211
subsections (b) , (h) , (i ) , ( j ) , (m) , (s ) , (t) , and (v) .
(5 ) Candidates and committees need not duplicate any reports
of contributions, loans, or expenditures required by state law
but may certify that reports made pursuant to this section are in
addition to those made pursuant to state law.
( 6 ) In the case of campaign statements filed by a committee,
other than a candidate controlled committee, the statement shall
-contain the full name, and street address of any person or
persons who direct or control the contributions or expenditures
made by the committee.
(Ords . 95-8 S 5, 92-9, 92-1 , 91-10, 84-9 . )
530-2 . 806 Out-of-county committee reports . Committees
domiciled outside this county which make independent expenditures
or contributions for or against any candidate for county office,
or for or against the qualification of, or passage of any local
ballot measure which is being voted upon only in Contra Costa
County shall file a report with the county clerk's elections
division, in the time and manner required by Government Code
Sections 84200 ff. and section 530-2. 804, subsection ( 6 ) for
committees domiciled in this county which either support or
oppose a candidate for county office or support or oppose a local
ballot measure which is being voted on only in this county.
(Ords . 95-8 S 6, 92-1, 91-10, 84-9 . )
Sb
Article 530-2 . 09
Campaign Campaign Advertising Disclosure
530-2 . 902 Disclosure of contributors Disclosure of contributors required . Any
committee that makes, during the calendar year in which the
,election is held, more than five thousand dollars ($5, 000 . ) in
independent expenditures for or against a candidate for county
office or for or against the qualification of, or passage of a
local ballot measure being voted on only in this county shall
list the following information in a clear and legible manner on
the bottom one-third of the front page of any mass mailing sent
by the committee in the election for which the independent
expenditures were made.
(1 ) The names and occupations of individuals and the names
and business interests of non-individuals, of the five largest
contributors to the committee during the twelve months preceding
the most recently passed campaign reporting period listed in
order of the amount of contributions (except that no contributor
with cumulative contributions of two hundred fifty dollars ($250 )
or less need be listed) . The disclosure shall read: "Major
funding by: (name and occupation or business interest) " . In the
case of contributions from committees, the disclosure shall read:
"Major funding by: (name of committee) ; Expenditures directed
by: (name and occupation or business interest of persons or non-
individuals who direct or control the expenditures of the
committee) " ; and
(2) If the committee has received at least one third of its
total contributions during the twelve months preceding the most
recently passed campaign reporting period from large out-of-
county contributor(s ) , the disclosure shall state "Major funding
from large out-of-county contributors . " "Large out-of-county
contributors" means a) those contributors who either are not
residents of the county or do not have a principal place of
business in the county and b) whose cumulative contributions to
the committee are $500 or more for the twelve month period
preceding the most recently passed campaign reporting period.
(3) This section does not apply to communications from an
organization to its members .
(Ord. 95-8 § 7 . )
1�
Article 530-2.10 5 D
Enforcement
530-2.1002 Clerk and district attorney re-
view.(a) In addition to other duties required by law,
the county clerk shall monitor all statements(except
those of candidates for his office or committees
supporting or opposing candidates for his office)
filed pursuant to this chapter. He shall:
(1) Determine whether the required statements
have been filed with his office;
(2) Determine the timeliness of filing;
(3) Determine whether the statements conform on
their face with the requirements of this chapter, and
(4) Determine if any reported contributions ex-
ceed the allowable maximums established by this
chapter.
(b) The district attorney shall monitor all state-
ments of candidates for the office of county clerk,
and all statements of committees supporting or
opposing candidates for the office of county clerk,
as set forth in subsection (a).
(c) If the county clerk, in the course of monitor-
ing statements as required by subsection(a), deter-
mines there has been an apparent violation,he shall
notify the candidate or committee. If the district
attorney, in the course of monitoring statements of
candidates for the office of county clerk,or commit-
tees supporting or opposing candidates for the office
of county clerk as required by subsections (a) and
(b) above, determines there has been an apparent
violation,he shall notify the candidate or committee.
(d) The candidate or committee shall be allowed
to correct any reports within five days after notice.
(e) The county cleric shall report to the district
attorney any apparent violations of this chapter
which have not been corrected by the candidate or
committee.
(f) The county clerk and district attorney shall
each compile and maintain for five years a current
list of statements or parts of statements which he is
required to monitor. Each list shall be indexed by
the candidate's or committee's name.
(g) The county clerk shall make recommenda-
tions to the.board of supervisors on additional pen-
alty provisions. (Ords. 91-10 § 5, 84-15, 84-9).
530-2.1003 Penalties. Pursuant to Section 51-
4.404, every violation of this division is a misde-
meanor and punishable as such, except that failure
to file a timely report as required by Section 530-
2.802 is an infraction punishable by a fine of one -
hundred dollars. (Ords. 84-51, 84-13, 84-9).
530-2.1004 District attorney's court suits.
The district attorney may enforce the provisions of
this chapter by filing, in his discretion, any appro-
priate legal action. (Ord. 84-9).
1 �-
SbL7
UNCODIFIED
SECTION IV, EFFECT OF CONTRIBUT1014 RECEIVED OR LOAN OF MONEY OR
EXPENDITURE OF MONEY MADE BEFORE MAY 25, 1995 . No supervisorial
candidate or his or her campaign treasurer shall be subject to
criminal or civil sanction for receipt of a contribution prior to
May 25, 1995 if such contribution was lawful when received,
whether or not the amount of such contribution would have
exceeded the contribution limits for supervisorial candidates .
effective May 25, 1995. Nothing in this section shall require a
candidate or his or her campaign treasurer to refund all or a
portion of a contribution received prior to May 25, 1995 if such
contribution was lawful when received. No supervisorial
candidate shall be subject to criminal or civil sanction for
making a personal loan to his or her campaign prior to May 25,
1995 if such loan was lawful when made, whether or not the amount
of such loan would have exceeded the limitations on personal
loans effective on May 25, 1995. Campaign expenditures .made by a
candidate prior to May 25, 1995 for an election occurring after
that date do not count toward the voluntary expenditure ceiling
specified in section 530-2 .707 subsections (c) , (d) . Personal
loans made by a candidate prior to May 25, 1995 shall not be
chargeable against the limitations on personal loans - specified in
section 530-2 .706 .. Contributions received prior to May 25, 1995
shall not be chargeable against the limits on individual
contributions specified in section 530-2.703, or against the
limits on broad based committee contributions specified in
section 530-2.704, or against the limits on cumulative
contributions specified in section 530-2.710 .
ORDINANCE NO. 95- 47
l
c
UNCODIFIED
SECTION III . EFFECT OF CONTRIBUTION OR LOAN OF MONEY AFTER MAY
25 , 1995 . It is the Board of Supervisors' intent that if a
candidate accepts a contribution after May 25, 1995 for an
election occurring after that date from either an individual
contributor or a broad based political committee, and thereafter
files the statement adopting the voluntary expenditure ceiling,
during the remainder of the election cycle for that election such
candidate may accept from the same contributor or committee no
more than an amount which when combined with the earlier
contribution will not exceed the maximum amount specified in
section 530-2 . 703 (b) or 530-2. 704 (b) respectively. If after
May 25, 1995 such candidate loans money to his or her campaign
for an election occurring after that date and then adopts the
voluntary expenditure ceiling, during the remainder of the
election cycle for that election, such candidate may loan his or
her campaign no more than an amount which when combined with the
earlier loan will not exceed the maximum amount specified in
section 530-2 . 706 (b) .
ORDINANCE NO. 95- 35
2
SI `V
UNCODIFIED
SECTION III. REVOCATION OF ADOPTION OF VOLUNTARY EXPENDITURE
CF_.ILING= This section shall become operative only' in the event
that a court of competent jurisdiction makes a final judicial
determination that subsection (g)' of section 530-2.707 is
unenforceable. A candidate who has adopted the voluntary
expenditure ceiling and who has accepted contributions and\or
made personal loans rin the amounts applicable to candidates
adopting the ceiling, and who then determines to revoke his or
her adoption of the ceiling must do the following at least three
business days before the 'candidate may make expenditures in
excess of the ceiling: (1) return the balance of any
contribution exceeding the contribution limit applicable to
candidates not adopting the ceiling to the individual or
broadbased committee contributor and return the balance of any
loan the candidate has made to his or her campaign which exceeds
the limitation on personal loans applicable to candidates not
adopting the ceiling; and (2) file with the County Clerk-
elections division a statement, signed under penalty of perjury,
which states that the candidate has revoked adoption of. -the
voluntary expenditure ceiling and has returned. the balance of all
contributions and loans exceeding the limits applicable to a
candidate who has not adopted the ceiling. The statement shall
contain a list of all contributors to whom monies were returned
and the amounts thereof.
ORDINANCE NO. 95-47