Fair Political Practices Commission.

Assembly Member Ramos proposes expanding the Fair Political Practices Commission's oversight capabilities regarding local campaign finance and government ethics laws through amendments to the Political Reform Act of 1974. The legislation would grant the Commission authority to conduct audits of local jurisdictions that have entered agreements for campaign finance or ethics law enforcement, while removing both the current legislative reporting requirement and the January 2026 sunset date for these provisions.

The bill maintains the existing framework where the Commission may assume primary responsibility for administering and enforcing local campaign finance and ethics laws through mutual agreements with local governing bodies. These agreements must specify reimbursement terms for the Commission's direct and indirect costs, subject to Department of General Services review. Either party may terminate agreements with 90 days' notice, though local agencies may need to compensate the Commission for services already rendered. The Commission must post all participating jurisdictions on its website.

The provisions exclude jurisdictions with populations over 3 million and San Bernardino County. As an amendment to the Political Reform Act, the bill requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers for passage. While creating no new state spending requirements, the measure allows for local reimbursement agreements to cover the Commission's implementation costs.