Portantino Financial Reporting Bill for Politicians Goes to Governor

A measure by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (who represents part of Monrovia) to update financial reporting for politicians and public officials passed the Senate today. AB 2162 now goes to the Governor for signature. The Form 700 â€" Statement of Economic Interest - gives the public a way to keep tabs on the outside financial interests of officeholders and other officials to ensure that they avoid conflicts of interest, but Portantino said, "These forms haven’t been updated in more than 35 years and are way out-of-date."

Portantino's AB 2162 adjusts the dollar ranges for investments and income used by some 200,000 public officials when they file the Form 700. Currently there are only 4 ranges for investments, property and income. This bill would revise the dollar amounts associated with these ranges to 8 levels for investments and real estate and 10 levels for income ranges.

The Political Reform Act of 1974 requires persons holding public offices to file disclosures of investments, real property interests, and income within specified periods of assuming or leaving office, and annually while holding the office. The act requires the disclosures to include a statement indicating, within a specified value range, the fair market value of investments or interests in real property and the aggregate value of income received from a source.

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

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