Ethics commission approves narrowed behested‑payment amendments, adds $1,000 de‑minimis exception and short PUC grace period

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Ethics Commission voted 3–2 on Aug. 12 to adopt amendments to the city’s behested‑payment rules and transmit them to the Board of Supervisors, concluding a months‑long negotiation among the mayor’s office, the Board and commission staff.

The adopted changes narrow the ordinance’s “attempt to influence” prong so it applies primarily in the context of city contracts and certain permits, add a de‑minimis exception of $1,000 per year for small payments, and include a limited grace period for preexisting programs such as the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Social Impact Partnership (SIP) program. The commission’s vote followed extended debate about whether the narrower approach would leave gaps in coverage for legislative and budgetary advocacy.

“We went from two competing versions to the combined version,” Supervisor Aaron Peskin, author of the draft ordinance, told the commission, saying the new text reflects tripartite collaboration among his office, the mayor’s office and Ethics staff. “I commend to you the legislation as now amended per your staff’s…