TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the City of Long Beach Report to the Legislature: Statement of Economic Interests (SEI) AB 1921 (Davis) Electronic Filing Pilot Project.
DISCUSSION
Under the Political Reform Act, local public officials are required to complete and file paper SEI Form 700s with local filing officers annually by April 1 of each calendar year, and when a filer assumes or leaves a designated office or position. Designated filers also include candidates for local elected offices during a municipal election cycle. Typically, designated filers must disclose their personal assets and income, and if necessary, disqualify themselves from participating in decisions that may affect their personal economic interests.
The City of Long Beach co-sponsored the introduction of Assembly Bill (AB) 1921 (Davis) in order to participate in the Form 700 electronic filing pilot program authorized by AB 2607 (Chapter 498 of 2008). AB 1921 was approved by the Governor on July 9, 2010, and was enacted into law, effective January 1, 2011. The City of Long Beach is the only California city participating in the pilot program along with four counties.
As a result of our participation in the pilot program, the following performance results and benefits were achieved:
· Of 1,316 filers, 95% filed on-time;
· A 14% decrease in late filers down from 26% in 2009;
· As a result of electronic submittal, 328 hours in productivity savings by not having to inspect and scan filings;
· Reduction in the occurrence of amendments by virtue of the SEI system's ability to allow users to view and easily carryover prior year filing information; and
· More effective interaction with filers, filing officials and the public, as well as more efficient, timely and complete dealings with late filers.
Without a modern SEI IMS, and AB 1921 SEI authorization for electronic filing, the budget and human resource constraints faced by the City Clerk Department would have negatively impacted the quality of SEI program administration. Furthermore, without electronic filing, the demands of SEI administration would have competed for resources allocated to municipal elections, citywide records management, and the City's legislative process.
At this time in our Department's history, AB 1921 electronic filing, as authorized under
AB 1921, is the correct solution to doing more with less in an era of reduced budgets while simultaneously promoting compliance with the Political Reform Act of 1974. Electronic filing, as pioneered by AB 1921, should be extended on a permanent basis as an efficient option for the processing of SEI forms at the local government level.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
None.
FISCAL IMPACT
The AB 1921 Electronic Filing Project Report was submitted to the Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC) on July 1, 2011. The FPPC is required to review and, in turn, transmit the agency reports to the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), along with any comments, no later than August 15, 2011. The LAO is then required to provide a report to the Legislature evaluating the pilot program no later than February 1, 2012.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
LARRY G. HERRERA
CITY CLERK