Electronic Filing Software as a Services (SaaS)

The California Political Reform Act (PRA), enacted in 1974, is designed to promote transparency and prevent corruption in state and local government. It is enforced by the FPPC and covers a wide range of political activities. 1. Campaign Finance Disclosures The PRA requires candidates and committees to: Disclose campaign contributions and expenditures to ensure transparency Electronically file campaign finance reports, including pre-election and semi-annual statements with the City Clerk's Office Adhere to statewide campaign contribution limits for local municipalities These disclosures are made publicly available (with personal information redacted) on the City's website to maintain accountability and transparency. The City currently handles the campaign finance filings of over 60 Committees and Candidates. Such disclosures can be accessed by the public, including filers, via a public portal linked on the City's website without any charge to the public or the filer for this service. 2. Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) Designated public officials and employees must electronically file Form 700 to: Reveal potential conflicts of interest by disclosing investments, income, gifts, and financial interests in real estate and business entities. Be electronically filed annually, within 30 days of assuming or leaving office, or under special circumstances. Help ensure decisions are made in the public interest, free from personal financial influence. These disclosures are made publicly available, with personal information redacted, on the City's website to maintain accountability and transparency. The City currently handles the Statement of Economic Interest filings of over 750 public officials, designated employees, commissioners, and board members. 3. Lobbyist Registration Forms Per Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) Chapter 4.85 Regulating Lobbying, any individual who is an expenditure lobbyist or who receives economic consideration as the employee, representative or contract of a person or entity for communicating with any official or employee of the City of Santa Monica for the purpose of influencing a City action must register as a Lobbyist. Lobbyists must register no later than 10 days after qualifying as a lobbyist and register annually. Lobbyists must also amend registration within 10 days of representing a new client, reporting new activity for an existing client or updating existing client information. These forms are made publicly available on the City's website to maintain accountability and transparency. The City currently handles the lobbyist registration filings of over 30 lobbyists. A filing system for these disclosure statements aims to uphold transparency in local government, prevent and/or detect potential conflicts of interests in local decision making and fosters public confidence.