August 10, 2016
To: Recipient Committees (including Candidates and Officeholders) Major Donor and Independent Expenditure Committees
From: Jarrod Flores, Campaign Finance Officer
Re: Late Reporting Period Reporting Requirements
Late Reporting Period Requirements
The Late Reporting Period Chart summarizes the reporting requirements for the upcoming Late Reporting Period for the November 8, 2016 election. The period begins August 10, 2016 and covers through November 8, 2016. Please note that SFEC Forms 162 and 163 are only required to be filed during the 90 period before an election. Refer to the attached table for more information and contact the Ethics Commission if you have any questions about how these requirements apply to your committee.
FPPC Form 496
File FPPC Form 496 within 24 hours of making independent expenditure(s) that total $1,000 or more to support or oppose a single candidate or ballot measure. If you are supporting or opposing a candidate or measure in San Francisco, you must file Form 496 with the San Francisco Ethics Commission. If you are an electronic filer, you must file Form 496 in electronic format. In addition, a legible copy of any independent expenditure concerning City candidates must accompany any Form 496. These communications may be emailed to the Commission at ethics.commission@sfgov.org. PDF proofs of printed communications are preferred. The email should reference the report number(s) of the filed Form 496 and the name of the filer.
FPPC Form 497 Late Contribution Report
File FPPC Form 497 within 24 hours of making or receiving a late contribution. A late contribution is a contribution totaling $1,000 or more during the Late Reporting period and is made to or received by a candidate or measure being voted upon. If you are an electronic filer, you must file Form 497 in electronic format with the Ethics Commission.
SFEC Form 162 Electioneering Communications
File SFEC Form 162 within 24 hours of making electioneering communication(s) if the cost of the communication attributable to any one City candidate referenced in the communication is $1,000 or more. An electioneering communication is any communication that refers to a clearly identified City candidate and is distributed within 90 days prior to an election for the City office sought by the candidate. To qualify as an electioneering communication, the communication must be sent or made available to 500 or more individuals who are registered to vote or eligible to vote in the election for the City candidate identified in communication. A copy of the electioneering communication, including any script or recording, must be filed with the form. PDF proofs of printed communications are preferred. Form 162 may be submitted by email (ethics.commission@sfgov.org) or personal delivery.
SFEC Form 163 Member Communications
File SFEC Form 163 within 24 hours of making payments for member communications during the 90 days prior to a City election if the cost of the communication attributable to any one City candidate referenced in the communication is $1,000 or more. A member communication is any communication that is published, disseminated, or communicated only to an organization’s members, employees, or shareholders, or to the families of the organization’s members, employees or shareholders that supports or opposes a City candidate or City ballot measure. Excluded from this definition is any general public advertising such as broadcasting, billboards, and newspaper advertisements. A copy of the member communication, including any script or recording, must be filed with the form. PDF proofs of printed communications are preferred. Form 163 may be submitted by email (ethics.commission@sfgov.org) or personal delivery.