San Fernando Municipal Code Art. VII Campaign Reform

The purposes of this article are:

(1) To eliminate the possibility of corruption or the appearance of corruption in local elections, arising as a result of disproportionately large political contributions, by adopting the least restrictive limits possible on the amounts of money any person may contribute or otherwise cause to be available to candidates for the city council and city treasurer and those who support or oppose such candidates;

(2) To eliminate the need for candidates and their supporters and opponents to seek large campaign contributions by establishing a realistic voluntary expenditure ceiling for campaigns;

(3) To promote informed actions by the electors of the city by requiring the full and truthful disclosure of contributions and expenditures in election campaigns;

(4) To inhibit improper or illegal campaign activity, and to ensure vigorous enforcement of this chapter; and

(5) Pursuant to California Government Code Section 81013 and Elections Code Section 10202, to impose contribution limitations and other regulations in addition to those imposed by state law, but that do not prevent any person from complying with state law.

(Ord. No. 1560, § 1, 1-3-2005)

The following terms used in this article shall have the meanings set forth below. Except as otherwise provided here, the terms and provisions of this article shall have the meanings and shall be interpreted in accordance with the applicable definitions and provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974, as amended (Government Code § 81000, et seq.) and the regulations of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, as amended (collectively, referred to in this article as the "Political Reform Act").

(1) Candidate means any person who is a candidate for member of the city council whether or not the person is seeking to become a member of the city council or is an incumbent member of the city council seeking reelection.

(2) Committee means any person or combination of persons who directly or indirectly does any of the following:

a. Receives contributions totaling $1,000.00 or more in a calendar year;

b. Makes independent expenditures totaling $1,000.00 or more in a calendar year; or

c. Makes contributions totaling $5,000.00 or more in a calendar year to or at the behest of candidates or committees. The term "committee," as defined herein also includes any "committee" as defined under Government Code § 82013 which is organized in accordance with Government Code §§ 84100 through 84109.

(3) Contribution means a monetary payment, the donation of goods and/or services or the granting of a discount for goods and/or services. For purposes of valuation under this article the value of a donation of goods or services shall be its face value, if any, or its fair market value in the absence of any face value. The term "contribution" does not include any contribution excluded from the definition of the term "contribution" under the Political Reform Act under subdivision (c) of Government Code § 82015 as the same may be amended from time to time.

(4) Election means any general municipal election, special municipal election or recall election wherein candidates seek election or re-election to the San Fernando City Council.

(5) Person shall have the same meaning as set forth under Government Code § 82047 as the same may be amended from time to time.

(Ord. No. 1560, § 1, 1-3-2005; Ord. No. 1663, § 4, 4-3-2017; Ord. No. 1727, § 2, 8-19-2024)

(a) No person or committee may make a contribution, or series of multiple contributions to any candidate, including the controlled committee of such candidate, that exceeds $1,000.00 in the aggregate for any single election at which the candidate is attempting to qualify, or has qualified, to have his or her name appear on the election ballot as a candidate for membership on the San Fernando City Council. Additionally, no candidate or controlled committee of such candidate may solicit or accept any contribution or series of multiple contributions that will cause the amount contributed by the contributor to the candidate or to the controlled committee of such candidate to exceed $1,000.00 in the aggregate for any single election at which the candidate is attempting to qualify, or has qualified, to have his or her name appear on the election ballot as a candidate for membership on the San Fernando City Council.

(b) The city council may, by resolution, adjust the contribution limit established in subsection (a) of this section at a city council meeting held anytime on or between May 1st and June 30th of every even-numbered year, to reflect the cumulative annual percentage increases or decreases in the February Consumer Price Index for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside area since the city council's last such adjustment. Such adjustments shall be rounded to the nearest $10.00 amount.

(c) The limitations of this section shall not apply to contributions of a candidate's personal funds to his or her controlled campaign committee on behalf of his or her own candidacy, and shall apply to contributions from the candidate's spouse.

(d) Candidates with election accounts must open a new account for the next city election in which they are a candidate, and may contribute up to $1,000.00 from the old account in the new account.

(Ord. No. 1560, § 1, 1-3-2005; Ord. No. 1727, § 3, 8-19-2024)