What's the goal of Political Reform Act modernization?

When it passed in 1974, the California Political Reform Act was hailed as a landmark law that regulated campaign finance and government ethics. The nation had just come through the Watergate crisis and Californians acted decisively to create a law that would keep state and local governments transparent and responsive.

In the 42 years since, the law has been amended and expanded many times and today the law, while still considered a strong piece of good government legislation, has become a bit unwieldy and for some, even a little confusing.

So the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), which enforces the law, has undertaken the task of modernizing the law. It is partnering with California Forward and the University of California in The Political Reform Act Revision Project which is supported by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation.

The process, which will take about five months, is designed to be inclusive and transparent and will result drafting of a revised law that will be submitted to the 2017 Legislature.

Law students from the UC Berkeley and UC Davis have completed a review of the law and documented issues, options and recommendations which the FPPC staff will include as it evolves the revisions.

For political candidates, elected officials and public officials who have to comply with the law, a simpler and easier to understand law will be welcomed.

"We are hoping for extensive contribution from those affected by the law, including filing officers, political attorneys, public officials and candidates and other good government groups interested in this issue," said Jodi Remke FPPC Chair.

California Forward is leading a targeted and strategic communications campaign to encourage participation in two rounds of public comment in the coming months. A webinar will be held Thursday to explain the project.

"We think through this process we will end up with a cleaner law that is easier to comply with and to enforce," said CA Fwd’s Jim Mayer. "We will all benefit from an ethics law that is smart, modern and understandable."

FPPC Chair Remke and FPPC Enforcement Chief Galena West think the result of the effort will be a simpler, easier to understand and more effective law.