Conflicts of interest: nonprofit organizations: membership dues.

Senator Padilla's proposal carves out a specific exemption to California's conflict of interest rules for public officials' involvement with certain nonprofit organizations. The measure modifies the Political Reform Act of 1974 to establish conditions under which officials may participate in decisions affecting nonprofits that provide them income.

Under the proposed changes, public officials would not face conflict of interest restrictions when voting on matters that only affect individual members of 501(c)(5) or 501(c)(6) organizations - such as labor unions, agricultural groups, business leagues, and chambers of commerce - from which they receive income. This exemption applies exclusively to decisions that could alter membership numbers or dues within these nonprofits, rather than affecting the organizations themselves.

The measure maintains existing conflict of interest provisions while delineating specific circumstances for permissible participation. Public officials must still recuse themselves from decisions directly involving the nonprofit organizations or having broader financial implications beyond membership and dues changes. The bill requires a two-thirds vote for passage but includes no new spending or program requirements.