Ethics Commission authorizes further drafting of 'expenditure lobbyist' rules and to pursue ballot language; motion passes 4–1

The San Francisco Ethics Commission voted 4–1 to continue drafting a proposal that would restore a category of "expenditure lobbyists" to the city's lobbying rules and to prepare proposed ballot language. Commissioner Keane presented a report arguing the change would require disclosure (not prohibition) when third parties spend to influence officials without direct contact, and he asked the commission to proceed with staff and City Attorney drafting and public input.

Commissioners and public commenters debated whether to pursue the change via a ballot measure or through the Board of Supervisors because voter‑approved ordinances are harder to amend. Commissioner Herr and others urged narrowing the definition for enforceability and recommended more staff and regulated community input to avoid redundancy. The City Attorney’s office and staff involvement were cited as necessary to finalize workable language.

Public commenters — including former commissioners, watchdog groups and attorneys representing registrants — offered differing views. Paul Melbistad urged the commission to act and noted historical precedent for the commission placing measures on the ballot; Anita Mayo (Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman) and Armin Khomeili (Nielsen Merksamer) urged aligning definitions and thresholds with other jurisdictions and preferred legislative process over an immediate ballot measure to preserve amendability.

Commissioner Keane moved to continue drafting the measure with staff and the City Attorney and to present final language at the June meeting for a vote on whether to submit it to the ballot; the motion was seconded and carried 4–1. Commissioners instructed staff to circulate definitions from other jurisdictions and to coordinate drafting with City Attorney offices.