Lobbyist ethics.

New Section 86103 establishes detailed lobbyist certification requirements including a photo, contact information, acknowledgment of lobbying prohibitions, ethics course completion statements with conditional acceptance provisions, and online payment of registration fees. The section is structured in two phases: an amended version effective immediately (sunset January 1, 2029) and a new version operative January 1, 2029.

Conditional certification mechanism: lobbyists who have not completed the ethics course within the previous 12 months may file a conditional certification. If they fail to complete the course by the deadline (June 30 of the following year for existing lobbyists, or within 12 months for new ones), the certification becomes void and the individual may not act as a lobbyist until the course is completed.

Legislative ethics committees are now given final approval authority over the content of the lobbyist training course that relates to the legislature's policies against harassment, including sexual harassment. Previously the bill only required consultation with the committees.

Removed the prior 'intent' statement (old SECTION 1) that expressed the Legislature's intent to enact subsequent legislation transferring lobbyist ethics training from legislative ethics committees to the Fair Political Practices Commission. The amended bill now directly effectuates the transfer rather than merely expressing intent.

Fiscal committee designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the bill now has fiscal impact (likely due to the fee structure and fund transfer provisions).

Bill title updated to include Section 86103 in the list of sections being amended or added. Section numbering reorganized (old SEC. 4 becomes SEC. 6). Vote requirement language simplified from 'majority 2/3' to '2/3.'

The bill now actually enacts the transfer of lobbyist ethics training to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) effective January 1, 2029, rather than merely stating intent to do so in future legislation.

New Government Code Section 86102.5 requires FPPC to develop, maintain, and offer an orientation course for registered lobbyists that must be available on-demand through an online platform, webpage, or application.

The existing lobbying ethics course (Section 8956(b)) now requires at least one semiannual course to be held prior to June 30 of each year, and may be combined with the official conduct course described in subdivision (a).

The lobbyist training course must now include content on each house of the Legislature's policies against harassment, including sexual harassment, in connection with lobbying activities.

FPPC may impose a $50 fee per lobbyist for the course, adjusted each odd-numbered year for changes in the Consumer Price Index and rounded to the nearest $10. Unused funds collected by the joint legislative ethics committees before January 1, 2029, transfer to FPPC for course development.

A sunset provision (Section 8956 subdivision e) repeals the existing lobbying training requirement as of January 1, 2029. A replacement Section 8956 becomes operative on that same date, retaining only the official conduct course and attendance requirements for legislators.

The bill now declares it furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 under Government Code Section 81012(a), which is required because the act is an initiative measure and amendments need a two-thirds vote of each house.

New Section 86207 prohibits any person convicted of a crime of public corruption (as defined in Elections Code Section 20) from acting as a lobbyist for 12 years after conviction. The restriction applies even if the person receives a pardon.

If a registered lobbyist is convicted of a crime of public corruption, their existing lobbying certification is automatically void upon conviction.

The Secretary of State may not accept a lobbying certification unless it includes a statement signed under penalty of perjury that the person has not been convicted of a crime of public corruption within the previous 12 years. This requirement is added to both the temporary and permanent versions of Section 86103.

New amendment to Section 86100 restructures lobbying registration rules, specifying that lobbying firms, lobbyist employers with in-house lobbyists, and lobbying coalitions with in-house lobbyists must register. It also clarifies exemptions for entities that only contract with lobbying firms (they need not register but must maintain records and file quarterly reports).

The bill is now designated as creating a state-mandated local program (changed from 'no' to 'yes') because the new public corruption provisions create a new crime under the Political Reform Act, which is punishable as a misdemeanor.

New filing format provisions in Section 86100 require registration statements to be filed both online and in paper format, transitioning to online-only once the Secretary of State certifies an online filing and disclosure system.

Assembly Member Addis is added as co-author and Assembly Member Kalra is listed as a coauthor in the bill header. Section numbers are resequenced due to the insertion of new sections.

New Section 8 provides that no reimbursement is required under Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs incurred by local agencies relate to the creation or change of a crime.