Government Code Section 84615 allows local government agencies to require elected and appointed officials, candidates, and committees to file FPPC campaign statements, reports, or other documents online or electronically with a local filing officer. The City Clerk is the local filing officer for the City of Rocklin.
On January 1, 2021, Assembly Bill 2151 adding Government Code Section 84616 went into effect stating the following:
(a) Within 72 hours of each applicable filing deadline, a local government agency shall post on its internet website a copy of any statement, report, or other document required by Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 84100) that is filed with that agency in paper format. If the final day of the 72-hour period is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the period is extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. Before posting, the local filing officer shall redact the street name and building number of the persons or entity representatives listed on any statement, report, or document, or any bank account number required to be disclosed by the filer. Providing a link on the agency’s internet website to the statement, report, or other document satisfies this subdivision.
(b) A statement, report, or other document posted pursuant to this section shall be made available for four years from the date of the election associated with the filing.
In order for the City to transition to electronically filed FPPC campaign disclosure statements, pursuant to Government Code section 84615, the City Council must adopt an ordinance permitting the use of an online filing system as an option for filing and designating the filings received electronically by the City Clerk's Office as the filings of record for the City. In addition, the system must operate securely and effectively, be offered at no cost to filers, be available to the public to view filings, not place an undue burden on filers, and include procedures for filers to comply with the requirement that they sign statements and reports under penalty of perjury.
Pursuant to Government Code section 87500.2, the City may also permit electronic filing of a statement of economic interests. A provision allowing such filing is also included in the ordinance, to promote efficiency.
Implementation of an online system will promote transparency, efficiency, and provide an added level of convenience for the public and the filers.
On December 14, 2021, the City Council introduced, waived further reading, and read by title only, an Ordinance of the City of Rocklin Enacting Chapter 2.64 of Title Two of the Rocklin Municipal Code Regarding Paperless Electronic Filing of Fair Political Practices Commission Statements, Reports and Other Documents. A second reading, by title only, is required for adoption of the Ordinance.