Treasurers —and assistant treasurers who sign and verify campaign statements— for City general purpose committees and ballot measure committees must complete a training conducted by Ethics Commission staff after filing an original or amended Statement of Organization (FPPC Form 410) designating a new treasurer. (An individual who serves as the treasurer for more than one committee is not required to complete a training if that individual has completed such a training within the previous 12 months.)
Mandatory Training for Treasurers of General Purpose and Primarily Formed Committees
Important:
After completing the training, treasurers and assistant treasurers must file a Certificate of Training (Form SFEC-107):
SF Ethics Supplemental Training Factsheet for GP/PF.
Please note this highlights the Form number and filing deadline that apply to San Francisco General Purpose or Primarily Formed committees, additional details are available https://sfethics.org/guidance/campaigns/committees/committee-reporting-requirements. FPPC filing requirements are not covered but are still required.
SFEC-113 – Ballot Measure Circulation
Due 1 Business day after petition circulation (Docusign)
Within one business day of the first date that a petition is circulated to qualify a measure for the ballot, the proponent must file a Notice for Initiative, Recall and Referendum Petitions (SFEC Form-113) with the Ethics Commission to inform the Commission that the proponent has begun to circulate the petition. For more information see “Disclosure During Signature Gathering Periods”
SFEC-114.5 – Behested Payments – $5,000+
Due: Semi-Annual or Pre-Election Campaign Statement where the contribution would be reported (Docusign)
Any ballot measure committee or committee making independent expenditures that receives contributions totaling $5,000 or more from a single person in a single calendar year at the behest of a City elective officer must file SFEC-114.5 no later than the deadline to file the semi-annual or pre-election campaign statement that must report the contribution that makes the cumulative total $5,000 or more.
SFEC-124 – Contributions Made by Business Entities – $10,000 –
Due: Semi-Annual or Pre-Election Campaign Statement where the contribution aggregates to $10,000 (Docusign)
Any committee required to file campaign statements with the Ethics Commission must disclose certain additional information about any contribution(s) that, in the aggregate, total $10,000 or more from a single business entity in a single election cycle. The committee must file SFEC-124 no later than the deadline to file the semi-annual or pre-election campaign statement that must report the contribution that makes the cumulative total $10,000 or more.
SFEC-161 – Independent Expenditure Mass Mailing – 200 pieces of mail
Due: Five Business Days or 48 hours (NetFile)
Any committee that pays for a mass mailing (greater than 200 substantially similar pieces of mail) that constitutes an independent expenditure supporting or opposing a candidate for City elective office must file SFEC-161 and attach a copy of the mailing.
Timing:
1) five (5) working days after the date of the mailing; or
2) 48 hours of the date of the mailing if the date of the mailing occurs within the final 16 days before the election.
EXCEPTION: Committees making independent expenditures to support or oppose a candidate for City elective office are NOT required to file this statement during the time period that they are required to file 24-hour independent expenditures reports (Form 496) along with the itemization of the expenditures made for the communication(s).
SFEC-162 – Electioneering Communication – $1,000
Due: 24 hours after distribution (NetFile)
Any person making an electioneering communication of $1,000 or more per City candidate must file a Form 162 Electioneering Communications Report along with the corresponding communication within 24 hours of each distribution. Statements due on a weekend or holiday are extended until the next business day.
An electioneering communication is a communication that: 1) refers to a clearly identified candidate for City elective office or a City elective officer who is the subject of a recall election; and 2) is distributed within 90 days before an election for the City elective office sought by the candidate or a recall election regarding the City elective officer to 500 or more persons eligible to vote in that election.
SFEC-163 – Member Communications – $1,000
Due: 24 hours after distribution (NetFile)
Any person making a member communication of $1,000 or more per City candidate must file a Form 163 Member Communications Report, along with the corresponding communication within 24 hours of each distribution. Statements due on a weekend or holiday are extended until the next business day.
A member communication is a communication made by an organization or its committee for the publication, dissemination or communication to the organization’s members, employees or shareholders, or to the families of the organization’s members, employees or shareholders by newsletter, letter, flyer, e-mail or similar written or spoken material, that supports or opposes a candidate during the 90 days prior to an election.
FPPC Obligations
Major Donor Notification
FPPC Form 511 – Paid Spokesperson Report
NetFile User Training:
FPPC Workshop: Local Candidates, Treasurers, and Committee Basics
This workshop offers great information and guidance for local candidates and committee treasurers, and includes an in-depth review of the Form 460 Campaign Statement. This workshop is recommended as a supplemental overview of State law. It does not encompass laws exclusive to San Francisco and does not replace the annual mandatory training requirement.