Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee closes loophole on campaign contributions in government offices, sends SB 280 to Appropriations
Summary
SB 280 extends the 1982 prohibition on receiving campaign contributions in state government buildings to cover legislative district offices and local government buildings; committee voted to send the bill to Appropriations with a recorded 5-0 vote.
Senate Bill 280, authored by Senator Lena Gonzalez Cervantes, would extend an existing prohibition — originally enacted by the Legislature in 1982 — that bars receipt or delivery of campaign contributions in state government buildings to also cover legislative district offices and local government buildings. The committee voted to pass the measure as amended and reported it to the Appropriations Committee.
Senator Cervantes said the bill closes a loophole and reinforces a clear separation between government operations and campaign fundraising. Lindsay Nicanos (senior legislative counsel) testified on behalf of the Fair Political Practices Commission, which sponsored the bill; the FPPC argued the change would strengthen public confidence by reducing the appearance of quid pro quo arrangements.
No witnesses testified in opposition at the hearing. Committee members voiced support and moved the bill; the clerk recorded the roll and the measure was reported as passed to Appropriations with a 5-0 tally.
SB 280 will proceed to the Appropriations Committee where fiscal impacts, if any, will be evaluated.
