The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) of California is a five-member independent nonpartisan commission that has primary responsibility for the impartial and effective administration of the Political Reform Act of 1974. The commission's objectives are to ensure that public officials act in a fair and unbiased manner in the governmental decision-making process, to promote transparency in government, and to foster public trust in the political system.
The commission is similar to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in its campaign finance responsibilities. It differs from the FEC in its authority in lobbying and conflicts of interest.
It was created by California Proposition 9 in the June 1974 elections, known as the Political Reform Act of 1974, regulates campaign financing, conflicts of interest, lobbying, and governmental ethics.
Organization
CommissionerPositionTermAppointing OfficerAdam E. SilverChair2024-2027Governor Gavin NewsomE. Dotson WilsonCommissioner2019–2027Governor Gavin NewsomAbby WoodCommissioner2021–2025Secretary of State Shirley WeberCatharine BakerCommissioner2021–2025Controller Betty YeeElsa OrtizCommissioner2022-2025Attorney General Rob Bonta
+Commission Executive Director and Division ChiefsNamePositionGalena WestExecutive DirectorDavid BainbridgeGeneral CounselJames LindsayChief of EnforcementJue WangChief of AdministrationShrdha ShahChief of Audits and Assistance
List of Fair Political Practices Commissioner Chairs ChairTermDaniel Lowenstein1975–1979Tom Houston1979–1983Dan Stanford1983–1985John Larson1986–1991Ben Davidian1991–1995Ravi Mehta1995–1997James Hall1997–1999Karen Getman1999–2003Liane Randolph2003–2007Ross Johnson2007–2010Dan Schnur2010–2011Ann Ravel2011–2014Jodi Remke2015–2018Alice Germond2018-2019Richard Miadich2019–2024Adam E. Silver2024–Present
Electronic filing and data Campaign finance and lobbying disclosure data filed with the Secretary of State under the Political Reform Act is published on the California Automated Lobbying and Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Search System (CAL-ACCESS), a publicly accessible online database maintained by the California Secretary of State. CAL-ACCESS contains records dating to the early 2000s, including contributions received, expenditures made, and lobbying activity disclosures.
The FPPC defines filing requirements and form specifications, while the Secretary of State's office manages the technical infrastructure for receiving, storing, and publishing electronic filings. California requires approximately 35 distinct filing form types for campaign finance and lobbying disclosure, grouped into registration statements, periodic disclosure statements, 24-hour reports of large contributions and expenditures near elections, amendments, termination statements, and special filings including lobbying reports.
Bulk data downloads of the full CAL-ACCESS database are available through the Secretary of State's campaign finance data page.
See also Politics of California Campaign finance Conflict of Interest Lobbying in the United States Nevada Commission on Ethics New Mexico State Ethics Commission Oklahoma Ethics Commission Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission Texas Ethics Commission Wisconsin Ethics Commission
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