In the wake of various investigative reports and public scandals, California lawmakers have proposed reform legislation aimed at providing greater transparency and accountability in government. Three separate bills are now making their way through the Legislature that would strengthen state laws governing financial interests, gifts of travel and potential conflicts of interest involving family members. The bills include:

Financial Disclosures

AB 10 by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) would require elected officials to disclose the identity of their business partners, describe in detail the nature of their businesses, and disclose when they excuse themselves from voting based on a conflict of interest. The bill would increase thresholds for triggering a disqualifying financial interest, and expand reporting requirements to provide more detail about officials’ income, property and investments.

Gifts of Travel

SB 21 by Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) would provide for greater transparency about public officials’ travel by requiring elected officials to disclose to the Fair Political Practices Commission the destination of travel paid for by special interests. The legislation also would require nonprofits that pay for travel by public officials to disclose the name of the donors responsible for funding the travel, as specified in the bill.

Conflicts of Interest

SB 330 by Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) is aimed at preventing elected and government officials from voting on public contracts when a family member has a financial interest or may benefit in the outcome of the contracting decision. The bill would define what family relationships would constitute a financial conflict of interest for a public official voting on public contracts in his or her official capacity as a member of a governmental body, board or commission.