Ethics Commission takes no action now on Sunshine Ordinance referral involving SFPD; leaves door open for willfulness complaint

Acting Chair Vice Chair Salahi and two other commissioners voted unanimously on July 11 to take no action on a referral from the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force about a records order for the San Francisco Police Department, while leaving the matter “without prejudice” so the petitioner or the task force may pursue a willfulness complaint under the commission’s standard enforcement process.

The vote followed extended legal discussion about whether the Ethics Commission can enforce non-willful violations of the Sunshine Ordinance. Enforcement staff recommended against action on the referral, saying the regulations do not authorize monetary penalties or other remedies for non-willful violations. Director of Enforcement Matthews told the commission the staff’s view was that "the regulations do not provide for monetary penalties or other remedies upon a finding of a non willful violation," and recommended no action on that basis.

The item began as a May 2, 2025 referral from the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force under San Francisco Administrative…