City and County of San Francisco
Ethics Commission

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:                                                                                               For release:

John St. Croix                                                                                    

December 14, 2004

(415) 581-2300

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT DECEMBER 13, 2004 MEETING

At its meeting on

December 13, 2004

 , the San Francisco Ethics Commission took the following action:

• Discussed potential changes in collections practices for fines owed to the Ethics Commission that would allow the Commission to continue to refer collections to the Bureau of Delinquent Revenues (BDR) but charge collection costs to the party(ies) paying the fine.  Discussed changes to existing statutes that would allow the Ethics Commission to determine whether it would refer fines collections to BDR.  Decisions on these issues were deferred to a future date.
• Discussed an informal advice letter to Supervisor-elect Ross Mirkarimi.  Mr. Mirkarimi, who will represent District 5 when the new board convenes in January, sought advice on whether the contribution limits apply to funds raised for inaugural and transition activities.  No Commission vote is necessary on informal advice letters.
• Unanimously approved two amendments to the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance  (Board of Supervisors Files 041395 and 041456).  One amendment changes the notice and font size used in the San Francisco Voter’s Guide to note which candidates have opted to observe the voluntary spending limit; the other amendment adds the City College Board and the 

  Unified

   

  School District

   to the law restricting campaign contributions by contractors doing business with the City.

• The Commission also noted the passing of Eric Allen Bass, who frequently attended and commented upon Ethics Commission meetings.

The next Ethics Commission meeting will be held on

Monday, January 10, 2005

 , at 

5:30 p.m.

– – – – – – –

The Ethics Commission, established in November 1993, serves the public, City employees and officials and candidates for public office through education and enforcement of ethics laws.  Its duties include:  filing and auditing of campaign finance disclosure statements, lobbyist and campaign consultant registration and regulation, administration of the public financing program, whistleblower program, conflict of interest reporting, investigations and enforcement, education and training, advice giving and statistical reporting.   

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