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Ethics staff detail Form 700 e‑filing rollout, target Jan. 2022 NetFile launch
Summary
Staff described a multi‑phase plan to move 3,500 designated filers to NetFile e‑filing, including mandatory training for filing officers, a phased data migration and departmental outreach beginning next summer.
San Francisco Ethics Commission staff on Dec. 14 provided a status report on the Form 700 e‑filing project and a projected timetable for migrating paper filers to NetFile.
Rachel Gage, engagement and compliance lead, said the team is preparing a January 2022 target for a NetFile rollout for about 3,500 designated filers. Remaining work includes migration of filer and filing‑officer data, publication of user guides and mandatory e‑learning for filing officers. Gage described a tiered model: filing officers will be trained and given administrative access to create and manage filer accounts, while department heads will be asked in June–July to confirm filing‑officer rosters that will determine who receives mandatory training and credentials.
Gage outlined training elements that will be mandatory for filing officers: short e‑learning modules (micro‑tutorials under 10 minutes), instructor‑led Q&A sessions and robust user guides and fact sheets for both filing officers and filers. She said the system will streamline the existing 20% facial‑review requirement and make it easier to audit late filings; all late statements will be subject to 100% review.
Commissioners asked about timing of outreach to the policy‑making population that files Form 700, options for prioritizing audits (for example, focusing on high‑public‑contact departments), and whether the city could require supplemental local data beyond the state Form 700. Deputy City Attorney Andrew Shen and City Attorney staff advised that the Form 700 is a state‑mandated form and cannot be altered locally; the commission can create supplemental disclosures if the law and meet‑and‑confer requirements allow it.
Rachel Gage said data migration, user guides and online training authoring will occupy the spring and summer, with broad outreach beginning in June and a designated‑filer roster update planned for July ahead of an August data upload. Staff reiterated that some implementation progress depends on hiring two critical positions (client support specialist and information systems lead) to manage migration and help filers.
The commission did not take a separate vote on the Form 700 presentation but asked staff to return with follow‑up details and to coordinate additional public outreach and training plans.
