April 1 Deadline For Filing Form 700's

Lozano Smith Client News Brief
March 2014
Number 16

April 1 is the deadline for those holding "designated positions" under their agency's Conflict of Interest Code (Code filers), as well as so-called "Section 87200 filers," to file the annual Statement of Economic Interests. (Form 700) Section 87200 filers include mayors, city council members, city managers, city attorneys, city treasurers, members of planning commissions, members of the board of supervisors, district attorneys, county counsels, county treasurers, county chief administrative officers, other public officials who manage public investments, and candidates for any of these offices at any election. The Political Reform Act (Gov. Code, §§ 81000-91014) requires those public officials and employees to disclose on Form 700 certain investments, interests in businesses and real property, and sources of income, as well as certain gifts that were received in the previous 12-month period which exceed designated dollar amounts. School districts, cities, counties, and other public agencies are required to adopt a conflict of interest code which, at a minimum, includes the terms of Government Code section 87300, and the related regulations.

If a Code filer or Section 87200 filer receives a gift or gifts totaling $50 or more from a single source in the previous calendar year, then the gift or gifts must be disclosed on the Form 700. (Gov. Code, § 87210) The filers may not receive gifts totaling more than $440 (for 2013-2014) in any calendar year from a single source if they would be required by their agency's Code or Section 87200 to report income or gifts from that source on Form 700. (Gov. Code, § 89503; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 18940.2)

The Political Reform Act includes a broad definition of a "gift": anything of value that is received by a public official or employee for free or at a discount and which is not otherwise made available to members of the general public. This could include meals, tickets to concerts or sporting events and some forms of travel. There are some limited exceptions for gifts that are exchanged for holidays, birthdays and similar occasions, gifts received from relatives and informational materials that primarily convey information and are provided to assist the recipient in the performance of his or her official duties. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, §§ 18942, 18942.1) Because the reporting of gifts has drawn particular scrutiny and media attention recently, particular care should be taken to comply with the rules.

If you have any questions regarding the Political Reform Act's rules on gifts, when reporting is required, or updating your agency's conflict of interest code, please feel free to contact one of our eight offices located statewide. You can also visit our website, follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or download our Client News Brief App.
 
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As the information contained herein is necessarily general, its application to a particular set of facts and circumstances may vary. For this reason, this News Brief does not constitute legal advice. We recommend that you consult with your counsel prior to acting on the information contained herein.