AB 907

Currently, the Government Accountability Board (board) administers

programs to explain the laws that regulate lobbying and prescribe codes of ethics for

state public and elected officials. These programs are offered to state public officials,

elective public officials, and candidates for public office, among others. This bill

requires each member of the legislature to complete two hours of ethics training

administered by the board within three months after taking the oath of legislative

office and one hour of ethics training after being reelected in any immediately

succeeding election. A legislator who fails to complete the ethics training within the

specified time period must forfeit any per diem and expense allowance for which the

legislator would be eligible on the last day the training is provided.

Under current law, state public officials are subject to a Code of Ethics for Public

Officials and Employees. Current law defines a state public official to include both

individuals appointed to their office, such as persons appointed by the governor, and

individuals elected into office, including the governor, state supreme court justices,

and members of the state assembly and state senate. The code of ethics includes

standards of conduct to guide the official in taking actions while in office. Under the

code of ethics, for example, state public officials are generally prohibited from taking

official actions substantially affecting a matter in which the official or his or her

family or an organization with which the official is associated has a substantial

financial interest. The code of ethics also prohibits state public officials from

accepting any transportation, lodging, meals, food, or beverages, except as expressly

authorized by law.

This bill extends coverage of the code to apply to individuals whose names are

certified as having won election to office and who qualify to assume office but who

have not yet assumed office.

Current law requires state public officials and nominees and candidates for

state public office to file statements of economic interests with the board. Current

law defines "state public official" to include individuals appointed to their office, such

as appointees of the governor, and individuals elected into office, such as members

of the state assembly and state senate, the governor, and state supreme court

justices. This bill makes changes to the requirements to file and to the content of

these statements, including the following:

1. Currently, a state public official who serves in office during January of any

year must file a statement of economic interests with the board covering the

preceding calendar year no later than April 30 following the calendar year. This bill

changes the filing deadline to February 28.

2. Currently, a state public official, an appointee to a state public office, or a

nominee or candidate for state public office must file a statement of economic

interests that is current as of a date specified by law. In addition to other

information, the statement identifies certain organizations with which the