Ethics Commission narrows anti‑corruption proposal, opts for stepped disclosure instead of ban on behested donations

The San Francisco Ethics Commission on Oct. 23 gave staff policy direction to substantially revise the city—s proposed anti‑corruption and accountability ordinances, including replacing a proposed prohibition on behested (third‑party) payments with a stepped‑up disclosure regime and removing an automatic 50 percent civil‑penalty award for private plaintiffs.

Commissioner Sandra Chiu (identified in the record as Commissioner Chu) moved that the commission "accept the staff memo, except for these modifications," laying out a package of changes staff should draft into final ordinance language for the Commission's next review. The motion, seconded and debated through the evening, passed 4–1.

Why it matters: The ordinance package under discussion aims to limit 'soft' pay‑to‑play practices city officials and stakeholders say steer decisions away from the merits. The measures under consideration include expanding contribution restrictions on city contractors and land‑use parties, clarifying when officials may solicit charitable or in‑kind support, and how enforcement should operate. Replacing a prohibition with a stronger disclosure regime means the practice would be made…