Morro Bay Municipal Code Ch. 2.48 Electronic Filing of Campaign Disclosure Statements and Statements Of…

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words, terms and phrases shall be defined as follows:

A. "Electronic filing system" means a system established by the city clerk pursuant to Section 84615 of the Government Code for electronic filing of statements, as defined herein.

B. "Filer" means any elected officer, candidate, committee, or other person required to file statements, as defined herein.

C. "Statements" shall mean any statements, reports, or other documents that filers must file in accordance with Chapter 4 of the Political Reform Act ("Government Code Section 84100, et seq.) for the filing of statements.

(Ord. No. 667, § 3, 5-28-24)

A. Pursuant to Government Code section 84615, the city clerk may establish an electronic filing system for the filing of statements.

B. The electronic filing system shall meet the following requirements:

1. Comply with all requirements set forth in Section 84615 of the Government Code.

2. Ensure the integrity of data transmitted, including by establishing safeguards against efforts to tamper with, manipulate, alter, or subvert data.

3. Accept filing in the standardized record format developed by the California Secretary of State pursuant to Section 84602(a)(2) of the California Government Code, compatible with the Secretary of State's system for receiving an online or electronic filing.

4. Include a procedure for filers to comply with the requirement that they sign statements and reports under penalty of perjury pursuant to Section 81004 of the Government Code.

(Ord. No. 667, § 3, 5-28-24)

A. Upon establishment of an electronic filing system by the city clerk pursuant to Section 2.48.020(A), each filer shall file statements using the city clerk's electronic filing system according to procedures established by the city clerk. These requirements are not applicable to an officer, candidate, committee or other person that is exempt pursuant to California Government Code Section 84615 as may be amended or renumbered.

B. Notwithstanding Section 2.48.030(A), the city clerk in their sole discretion may allow exceptions to the requirement for electronic filing so as to accept statements in paper format submitted by filers who do not have computer access or familiarity with computer programs, until such time as the city council determines, by resolution or amendment of this chapter, that application of Section 2.48.030(A) will have no exceptions.

C. Filers who have electronically filed a statement using the city clerk's electronic filing system are not required to file copies of that document in paper format with the city clerk.

D. Filers shall file statements in paper format with the city clerk if the electronic filing system is not capable of accepting a statement for any reason.

E. The electronic filing system shall allow filers to complete and submit statements free of charge.

(Ord. No. 667, § 3, 5-28-24)

A. The city clerk shall make available on the city's website all data filed pursuant to this chapter in an easily understood format that provides the greatest feasible public access. Data shall be made available free of charge and as soon as possible after receipt.

B. Data made available on the city's webpage shall not contain the street name and building number of the persons or entity representatives listed on the electronically filed forms or any bank account number required to be disclosed by the filer. A complete, unredacted copy of the statement shall be made available to any person upon request to the city clerk's office.

C. The city clerk's office shall maintain online or electronic statements in compliance with state law and the city's adopted record retention schedule.

(Ord. No. 667, § 3, 5-28-24)