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Ethics staff report shows Form 700 on-time filings slipped to 88% in 2017
Summary
Staff told the Ethics Commission the city's Form 700 on-time filing rate fell from 93% in 2014 to 88% in 2017, outlined outreach and a filer survey, and described enforcement steps including referral to the state for nonfilers. Public commentators urged stronger sanctions and suggested barring nonfilers from voting on city matters.
San Francisco Ethics Commission staff presented a program update on the 2017 annual statements of economic interest (Form 700), telling the commission the city’s on-time filing rate had slipped from a high of 93% in 2014 to about 88% in 2017.
Pat Peterson of the commission’s Education and Compliance Division outlined outreach and support efforts this filing cycle: three in-person sessions for filers (roughly 50 attendees), expanded website resources including a homepage banner linking to a filing landing page, targeted email reminders, and phone support. Staff said there are two principal filer categories: elected officials/commissioners/department heads who must file electronically, and designated employees who may file on paper; staff reported about 505 electronic filers and roughly 3,000 paper filers.
Peterson summarized a post-deadline survey: 138 filers responded (about a 4% return relative to the full filer population) and 20 filing officers replied. Common themes in survey feedback included the need for clearer instructional materials, better onboarding for new hires, increased phone and in-person support around filing deadlines, and improvements to the e-filing system. Staff outlined the enforcement framework under state guidance: initial notifications at 30 days, follow-ups at 60 days, internal enforcement for late filers and referral to state authorities for nonfilers; staff warned state fines can reach up to $5,000 per violation.
Public comment focused on the adequacy of current fines. A Friends of Ethics representative urged exploration of stronger sanctions — including whether the commission could legally bar an officeholder who has not filed from casting votes — calling the current $10-a-day-to-$100 cap an insufficient incentive. Staff and counsel noted the Form 700 process is a state-mandated form and that the city’s authority to alter the state filing framework is limited.
The commission asked staff to continue outreach and produce materials to help filers, and to provide further detail on response timelines and potential legal options for stronger local enforcement if feasible.
