Title
Consider approving the use of Electronic Filing for Statements of Economic Interest and direct the Clerk of the Board to submit the application to Obtain Certification of Electronic Filing System for Processing a Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700 to the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve the use of Electronic Filing for Statements of Economic Interest and direct the Clerk of the Board to submit the application to Obtain Certification of Electronic Filing System for Processing a Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700 to the Fair Political Practices Commission.
SUMMARY:
Electronic filing will make it easier for filers to comply with reporting obligations and provide the public with information in a more accessible and consistent format. Pursuant to Section 87500.2, an agency seeking approval and certification of an electronic filing system for statements of economic interest shall submit a description of the electronic filing system the agency proposes to use along with documentation showing compliance with the technical requirements of Section 87500.2 and a certification fee of $1,000 to the FPPC. This action authorizes the Clerk of the Board to institute this process.
DISCUSSION:
At this time the Clerk of the Board does not accept online electronic filings. Required filers must submit original signed 700 Form to their agency as determined by the agency or department's conflict of interest code. Electronic filing is becoming more accepted and encouraged as it improves the public's ability to access this information. The proposed action does not prohibit "paper" filing, it merely increases and improves the ability to submit electronic filing and makes the process easier and more transparent for the public.
The County is currently under contract with Netfile for maintenance of the FPPC Statement of Economic Interest forms (700 Forms). The Netfile...
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