San Francisco Ethics Commission delays action on behested-payments changes after hours of testimony and debate

The San Francisco Ethics Commission on July 27 heard hours of presentations and public testimony about competing amendments to the city's behested-payments law and voted to continue deliberations rather than approve changes that would immediately create exceptions for philanthropic and community-benefit contributions.

The panel's special meeting brought staff recommendations, a compromise package from Supervisor Aaron Peskin and Mayor London Breed's office, and presentations from the Public Utilities Commission and multiple nonprofit and city department leaders who said the law's implementation has stalled critical programs. After debate, the Commission voted to take no action at the meeting and to resume consideration at its Aug. 12 regular meeting.

Peskin, the primary author of the ballot measure known as Proposition E, told commissioners he submitted a compromise version with the mayor's office to narrow implementation questions and urged the Ethics Commission to act as a "thought partner" as regulations are drafted. "Ultimately, it is my hope that a piece of consensus legislation with your imprimatur can come forward," Peskin said.

Hank Heckel, legal compliance officer in the mayor's office, described a…