[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6076949,"mediaKeyId","2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3","parentId",2966424,"title","FPPC legislative counsel briefs commission on 2025 bills including AB 1170 implementation, crypto disclosure and foreign interference proposals","audioSeconds",941,"startMs",5010000,"endMs",5951000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3&start=5010&end=5951","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3/thumbnail_5010000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076949/California/FPPC-legislative-counsel-briefs-commission-on-2025-bills-including-AB-1170-implementation-crypto-disclosure-and-foreign-interference-proposals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076949-97232eea40c6ccd42b855e26e689552c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748759&Signature=lbvRPN7ylcZ4cZ-GyZ~QSgRArxHWrOe2ByCKsAn7gUtAdUtXTgajXXyU6xEbRapTg77HVsFEhhqg1UX5bmz~etojWMHdODsLy4x0TiV0EsXsLCLWwQGRaJH6DZw4vpnfmeYiu7bpsHH-oTAJcNOZeJu42czYCv3o3AYaUlHM~34lG~CP2DlctNJTUHRYIGvxNT9kfonkvYbKtvUbwwBwbyYYhVawdBNY4~9rcTsajFSSXgop6x8A8v6OMXq8EdmSyqjpAKaON4F2nheunRnezEXaWREimYfbkLNWE3fissnYgI5OkrNrDSrcOGjKrvVclenCa-LXmdKFk1wN8S6Rmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California Exposition and State Fair","date","2025-04-11T07:00:31Z","article","Senior FPPC legislative counsel Lindsay Nakano briefed commissioners April 10 on the 2025 legislative calendar and 22 substantive bills affecting the Political Reform Act.

Nakano reviewed commission‑initiated and commission‑related bills and their committee status. Key items included: AB 359 (extends FPPC authority to contract with local governments) and AB 808 (conforming and cleanup changes tied to the Cal Access replacement system), both reported out of the Assembly Elections Committee on consent. AB 775 (behested payment reporting) would require the FPPC e‑filing system to send automatic confirmation emails and require local agencies to post behested payment reports online within 10 days of receipt; it was placed on the appropriations suspense file. AB 1029, an amendment to the PRA, would require disclosure of interests in cryptocurrency on Form 700; it passed the Assembly Elections Committee on consent.

Nakano also summarized AB 1286 (disclosure when a public official accepts a prospective employment offer) and SB 280 (prohibitions on contributions in state or local office buildings, clarified by new definitions). AB 1286 was narrowed in committee to apply only to section 87200 officials and passed the Assembly Elections Committee on consent. The counsel noted SB 852 (scheduled for April 29) and several other bills under active committee consideration, including bills on behested payments, public campaign financing and conflict‑of‑interest exceptions.

Commissioners asked clarifying procedural questions — for example, whether a legislative district office in a private building would be covered by SB 280; counsel said yes. Commissioner Wilson asked about support and opposition for AB 775; counsel said she had not heard opposition and that the bill had been well received in committee.

Ending: Counsel said she will continue outreach with authors’ offices and report further amendments and committee actions as the legislative session proceeds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 2025 Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Senior legislative counsel reviewed 22 substantive Political Reform Act bills in process, highlighting commission‑sponsored or commission‑related measures such as AB 1170 implementation, AB 1029 (crypto disclosure), AB 1286 (disclosure of prospective employment), and others under committee review.","taxTitle","California Exposition and State Fair, Other State Agencies, Executive, California","taxId",76735,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6076954,"Former Cotati councilman and neighbor tell FPPC they believe local code enforcement is being \"weaponized\"",294,116000,410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3&start=116&end=410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3/thumbnail_116000.jpg","/articles/6076954/California/Former-Cotati-councilman-and-neighbor-tell-FPPC-they-believe-local-code-enforcement-is-being-weaponized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076954-c84bf395fa2616c92849b1652c87f316/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748759&Signature=c-ubjicDjm0sHLyfKrYPXQ0pcOOOc0v9N~hKIFygb-XyUQLNYZf5oyhB1J9qGGbKaEhr1Pg8ZuKuEV8K0hmIUay5-MkQdlreqkOU4rHuyUxVvukJeS15yAGJVaYFgZB-PQASad3ZT-hqF2NcTRF~wXM8LRwdBMDBSeZfQQIGxbqW-xhINMTvJVMChJCIMNR4bWcE1nu3jP2cZx6ZYI4C4qTb1s13k5mapNBvyAqdkWo88EbuYo5zPMcMTtSNX59G8pnpheLWoFTBxZS0yMrwCXBdMam9v3GQqeXIrioYhZHvCBFNNU3N1CVUJEsAAYWLvIu4GDRKEQhFRwcC0OrJzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 10 meeting the commission heard public comment from former Cotati city councilman George Barich and a neighbor, Laurie Alderman, who described local elections and code enforcement in Cotati as politically motivated.

Barich told the commission he is a former Cotati councilman who said he has lived in the town for more than 30 years and had been recalled after a prior term. He said the city hired an outside attorney in February 2018 to assist with code enforcement and that, in his view, the attorney and city staff have been used against political opponents. “They have cleverly used him and weaponized him to go after their political rivals,” Barich said during public comment. He described multiple code complaints against his property — an RV setback issue, a small shipping container and driveway width — and said fines and related attorney fees had totaled “to date over a million dollars.”

Laurie Alderman, who identified herself as Barich’s neighbor, said the problem is broader than a single neighbor complaint. Alderman told the commission, “The fines for against George Barrett right now are at 2,000,000,” and alleged the whole council was involved. Both speakers said they had sought records (Form 700 disclosures) and had difficulty obtaining them.

FPPC staff responded by directing the speakers to the Commission’s enforcement division and to the Form 700 unit for assistance. Chair Silver and Commissioner Wilson reiterated that the enforcement division and form 700 unit could help them identify whether the FPPC had jurisdiction and how to request Form 700 records.

Ending: The comments were public‑comment items; the Commission did not take formal action. Staff suggested the speakers work with the FPPC enforcement division and the Form 700 unit to determine next steps and to request records.","Two members of the public told the commission they believe Cotati city officials are using code enforcement against political opponents and described substantial fines and legal expenses; FPPC staff directed them to the enforcement division and Form 700 unit for assistance.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6076959,"FPPC approves settlement in enforcement case after staff presentation; chair recuses from item",275,781000,1056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3&start=781&end=1056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3/thumbnail_781000.jpg","/articles/6076959/California/FPPC-approves-settlement-in-enforcement-case-after-staff-presentation-chair-recuses-from-item","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076959-9db31e8d8e9977c73b6aaf4a585ee37a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748759&Signature=KIgUu1LfOZPhi4EWoFj6WMpbWoLOBMBdZnpJ1kYIOGhWU0ccHkX4vPPmKC9OvQNO6CjFrIooyF6g5LbwxBYQ0neZCQ3iVvL7LOfyO9dpagv2tmKDckJcXGgdUcRhTiNGVmAuAKSd7wvt31UDCrxeEH3-GCl6qz1HVl4SggJgO8FH~pBTQ4w1vjxRoBLBUggYFFb9Q9kY~-UbDPRJo7s8uYrb10N4ktllPxmNvKA7SBd9digJ-oA8t4j1likFOAlMNwR7EVu5jWd49H3E3QFz5kxJDTjTy9lmm9kqcGog0IP0xJh1ZnUhhNLLDIi7mlzmj~4teBPe1Qphvx7x16qakw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fair Political Practices Commission on April 10 accepted a settlement reached by the enforcement division after staff presented the case and recommended approval.

Chair Robert Silver recused himself from consideration of item 4 under a recusal standard he described at his April 2024 meeting; Vice Chair Dobson Wilson presided over the discussion. Assistant Enforcement Chiefs Angela Brereton and Christopher Burton joined staff at the table and described investigative efforts and why staff recommended the stipulation. Brereton noted the investigation at one point involved three investigators and praised staff’s work to assemble evidence and present the settlement to the commission.

Commissioner Brandt asked whether the number and scope of charged violations were typical; staff said the conduct at issue was “egregious,” involved purposeful concealment and that staff brought all possible violations in the stipulation. Staff also said they did not combine counts as sometimes done under a streamlined approach because of the seriousness of the conduct.

A motion to accept the settlement was made by Commissioner Ortiz and seconded by Commissioner Brandt. The roll call recorded Commissioner Brandt: Aye; Commissioner Ortiz: Yes; Commissioner Wilson: Aye. The motion passed.

Ending: The commission voted to approve the stipulation. Chair Silver remained recused for this item and returned to the dais after discussion ended.","The commission accepted a stipulation brought by the enforcement division (item 4). Chair Silver recused under his public recusal standard; Vice Chair Wilson presided over the item and the motion to accept the settlement passed on a roll call.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6076964,"FPPC adopts amendments to require electronic filing of statements of economic interest and expanded online posting of high‑level filers",1258,3687000,4945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3&start=3687&end=4945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3/thumbnail_3687000.jpg","/articles/6076964/California/FPPC-adopts-amendments-to-require-electronic-filing-of-statements-of-economic-interest-and-expanded-online-posting-of-highlevel-filers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076964-0bdc3ee3aa7ae902856feb08d6b9b690/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748759&Signature=njiFzNC9uEBsI90RPDvh24AYkAx-NXWGjlMgcCF5iYrOhjWJ8KujqDmBxcySOBxOFMO58hoEfmnKmmO3vI5akoiSbqyAcZRMnuT2Xe0W7oEtbJ~Yjbfd-tPGyYGM1HXurrLlFXXjjfI7Hi1qkgT7pgZHOaCy-O4cX4Z817SfKaUbsjWsPZyJO2OSZUzkNUmKBLpgVYR~hKLOzWDSPl~bDMsHigtVH4AJY1hNRGAcAIm8A5WbQlTX5RVCJF5AwWp5UEh2WJoA6Mv50lJdXGOKHowBLKxhVCk1bIMm6XIjsHRcKe48-v9D5ck27Jnclbaa3aLA103yfK2ViCMep-x6Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fair Political Practices Commission voted April 10 to adopt a package of regulatory amendments to implement Assembly Bill 1170 and related statutory changes that took effect Jan. 1, 2025.

The regulatory package updates filing locations and online posting rules in multiple regulations and requires that statements of economic interest (Form 700) filed with the Commission be submitted through the Commission’s electronic filing system. The package also narrows the Commission’s online-posting practice to include section 87200 filers — the highest‑level public officials whose disclosure is statutorily required — in addition to elected officials, per staff recommendation.

“Statements of economic interest, also referred to as Form 700s or SEIs, must be filed by public officials who make or participate in making governmental decisions that may affect financial interests,” Assistant General Counsel Brian Lau told the commission. Lau explained the package revises or repeals regulations made redundant by AB 1170 (for example, rules about forwarding filings to the Commission) and adds a conforming redaction requirement for email addresses.

Lau described three options discussed at pre‑notice; staff recommended limiting the online posting expansion to section 87200 filers. He said the change will apply to filings on or after Jan. 1, 2025, and that staff interprets existing rules to require Commission approval before removing any previously posted historical documents.

A member of the public, David Carnahan, Sunnyvale city clerk, offered supportive comment on the decision to post section 87200 filings online. “I just wanted to … share my appreciation for the commission and your staff for the amendments to 18 313.5, requiring now that all 87200 filings will be posted online,” Carnahan said.

After a brief public comment period, a motion to adopt the regulatory package carried on a roll call. The roll call recorded Commissioner Ortiz voting yes, Commissioner Wilson voting aye, and Chair Silver voting aye; the motion passed.

Ending: The regulation changes implement statutory requirements from AB 1170 and are intended to reduce manual forwarding of paper filings, increase public transparency for high‑level officials and clarify filing instructions for agencies and filers. The commission declined to remove historical online postings without separate Commission approval.","The Fair Political Practices Commission adopted regulatory changes to implement AB 1170, making electronic filing of Form 700 mandatory for statements filed with the FPPC and directing online posting of SEIs for high‑level (section 87200) filers. The adoption passed on a roll call vote.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6076969,"Secretary of State, vendor outline Cal Access replacement system, target public launch November 2026",2034,1192000,3226000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3&start=1192&end=3226","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966424-95dcd76b824e7c263e1d2a08aadd8cf3/thumbnail_1192000.jpg","/articles/6076969/California/Secretary-of-State-vendor-outline-Cal-Access-replacement-system-target-public-launch-November-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076969-e5aec03ff3cb5cc99b94f16702d46118/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748759&Signature=YwlRQrP~fVVdllyimUr8pYaxrfKI7MrHzmf~Jhs8Ib1gyx~JzhqFhunC5IbRqqtFi-mZU9weUM9GPo~GawUP6Mr09hIBBY1WLq9jFzlrAUXeIPq5VgG2drwLunsECCIXIdf8h3fnuIYKXtU9EOHJQJ-~Kifa4anCtqBU5bQYhVD2e9JpciruJHV-nG7YLdZ2IBVpEN~QEjZ4YxM~c8gri78eh-fnwTW25SfZrEueuLAz4gD8bNqnhr6nt7OU7U8gnxz67XOoInYOtUSiXlyLb4mYaygEqbznYNmuIG7KGVyZ4NRpSkonNyh-BPfLNIjsmroFGntX~Dhzpkbc7EgkcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California Secretary of State’s office and prime vendor CGI told the Fair Political Practices Commission on April 10 that the Cal Access Replacement System (CARS) is under active development and is scheduled for public rollout on Nov. 26, 2026.

The presentation explained why the project is being undertaken and how the Secretary of State (SOS), the California Department of Technology (CDT), independent verification and validation consultants, and the vendor are working together to build a cloud-based system to replace the legacy Cal Access application.

The project team said the objective is to move the state’s campaign and lobbying filings from a mix of paper and legacy online forms to a single, data-driven, online platform that validates entries, improves public access, and reduces manual processing. “Cal Access is the public’s window into the filings that are received by the secretary of state,” said Kiara Rasmussen, Political Reform Division assistant chief, California Secretary of State. Rasmussen said the team is focused on automation, stronger data validation and easier public access.

John Heinlein, SOS assistant project director for CARS, described an emphasis on stakeholder engagement. He said the project has regular biweekly and monthly meetings with a broad set of users, including campaign treasurers, third‑party filing software vendors, county and city filing officers, and watchdog groups. “One of the guiding objectives when we started planning this project was stakeholder engagement,” Heinlein said, noting the project used industry best practices to involve users in design, demonstrations and user acceptance testing.

Denise Tower, CGI project manager, reviewed the build plan and current schedule. She said the project completed kickoff and planning deliverables last year and is in phase 2 development with four planned program increments. Increment 1 is focused on filer registration and disclosure; the team reported they are in the early development sprints (8 of 40 completed at the time of the briefing) and beginning to deliver working software for stakeholder review. Tower said the project has set up development, test and user acceptance environments in the Microsoft Azure Government cloud and is converting legacy data into the new schema.

Officials described the migration need as significant: the legacy system dates to work begun after the Online Disclosure Act of 1997 and contains roughly 20–30 years of filings. Tower said the project team is implementing data governance and conversion processes to preserve data integrity during migration. Heinlein said the system will support interfaces with third‑party electronic filing vendors and that a proof of concept for those interfaces is planned for mid‑May during Sprint 11.

Commissioners and staff asked about training and user experience. Rasmussen and Tower described a mix of instructor‑led, webinar and self‑paced training and said the system is being designed to be “wizard driven” so screens adapt to users’ answers and reduce training needs. Commissioner Wilson asked about artificial intelligence; the team said they have discussed AI conceptually and are tracking options but had not finalized any AI features.

The presenters asked for ongoing, timely feedback from the commission and FPPC staff, who are regular participants in the project’s biweekly meetings. Executive Director West and FPPC staff — including Dave Bainbridge, Chloe Hackert and Lindsay Nakano — were listed by the SOS team as active, standing partners on the project.

The team reiterated the public go‑live target for the full public portal: Nov. 26, 2026, timed to give filers and third‑party vendors runway before the 2026 general election.

The commission did not take any formal action on CARS during the meeting. The presentation materials and ongoing stakeholder meetings will continue; FPPC staff and SOS will coordinate on testing and training schedules.

Ending: The commission thanked the SOS and vendor teams for the briefing and for regular coordination; staff noted FPPC participation will continue through stakeholder reviews and user acceptance testing.","Secretary of State staff and prime vendor CGI briefed the Fair Political Practices Commission on the Cal Access Replacement System (CARS), describing stakeholder engagement, a phased development schedule and a public go‑live target of Nov. 26, 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

FPPC legislative counsel briefs commission on 2025 bills including AB 1170 implementation, crypto disclosure and foreign interference proposals

Former Cotati councilman and neighbor tell FPPC they believe local code enforcement is being "weaponized"

FPPC approves settlement in enforcement case after staff presentation; chair recuses from item

FPPC adopts amendments to require electronic filing of statements of economic interest and expanded online posting of high‑level filers

Secretary of State, vendor outline Cal Access replacement system, target public launch November 2026