Information provided by San Benito County Elections Office. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
By SBC Elections
On October 22, 2024, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance Number 1070, aimed at promoting greater transparency and accountability in government decision-making. The ordinance requires individuals and organizations that lobby County officials to register, disclose their activities, and provide detailed information about who they represent, their spending, and the officials they contact. This initiative ensures the public is aware of the influences shaping government actions.
The ordinance will become effective in February 2025.
Key Features of the Ordinance:
The ordinance establishes several essential requirements for lobbyists:
Registration Requirements: Lobbyists must register with the County Clerk-Recorder and file regular reports detailing their activities.
Disclosure Requirements: Lobbyists are required to disclose information about their clients, compensation, and lobbying efforts.
Land Use Lobbyist Specifics: Lobbyists focused on major land use decisions face stricter reporting rules.
Prohibitions: The ordinance prohibits deceptive practices, unauthorized communications, and certain gifts to County officials.
Penalties: Violators may face fines and civil penalties for noncompliance.
The overarching goal of the ordinance is to create a transparent framework that enables
both the public and County officials to be fully informed about external influences on
government decisions.
Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki expressed strong support for the ordinance stating, “The San Benito County Board’s commitment to transparency is refreshing. I’m grateful to Supervisor Angela Curro for bringing this topic forward and to the entire county team’s efforts in refining these new rules. We have a shared goal of utmost transparency when it comes to lobbyists’ interests and their impacts on the community.”
Distinguishing Between Lobbyists
The ordinance differentiates between general lobbyists and land use lobbyists, with the latter subject to more stringent reporting requirements. This distinction is crucial, as land use decisions can have lasting effects on the county’s development, environment, and economy.
General Lobbyist: A general lobbyist may seek to influence a broad range of County actions, such as legislation, administrative decisions, or policy changes.
Reporting requirements for general lobbyists are less stringent than those for land use lobbyists.
Land Use Lobbyist: A land use lobbyist focuses on influencing significant land use decisions, such as large construction projects, surface mining operations, or major subdivisions.
These lobbyists must comply with stricter registration and disclosure rules, which include:
Registering if they spend $5,000 or more, or dedicate 10 or more hours of paid time in a year to influencing land use approvals.
Reporting on specific land use projects they are trying to influence.
Providing detailed summaries of their activities, including reports, events,
advertisements, and official contacts.
Disclosing any payments of $500 or more to other entities, as well as the
identities of their clients.
Updating their reports before meetings or hearings related to the land use
project.
Enforcement and Exemptions
While some lobbyists may be exempt from certain requirements, land use lobbyists are held to stricter standards to guarantee transparency in significant decisions. To ensure compliance with the ordinance, the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, led by Francisco Diaz, will oversee enforcement. The Clerk’s Office already administers similar programs, such as the Conflict of Interest (700) Form and Campaign Finance Disclosures.
Additionally, the ordinance grants authority to investigate violations or pursue legal action when necessary.
Supervisor Angela Curro, who led the initiative, emphasized the importance of the new ordinance stated, “The new Lobbyist Ordinance passed by the San Benito County Board of Supervisors in 2024 will improve and promote transparency in government decision-making by requiring paid individuals and organizations that try to influence elected officials to register locally. The disclosure of their lobbying activities allows officials to know who and why they are being contacted by individuals attempting to sway decision-making. The more we know about who is influencing policy locally, the better we can prevent corruption and ensure accountability for both lobbyists and elected officials.”
To view Lobbyist Disclosures, visit: San Benito County Lobbyist Activities
By enforcing these provisions, the County aims to create a more transparent, fair, and accountable process for both lobbying activities and government decision-making.
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