TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the Fair Political Practices Commission report to the Legislative Analyst which includes reference to the City of Long Beach Statement of Economic Interests (SEI)
AB 1921 (Davis) Electronic Filing Pilot Project; and request City Council’s State Legislation Committee to consider amendment of its Legislative Agenda to support legislation to provide cities with ongoing authority to accept electronic filings of SEI forms.
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 of...
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