California Fair Political Practices Commission Frequently Asked Questions: Campaign Activity
27. Q. If a committee receives a large contribution from an individual or entity, are there any special noticing requirements? A. Yes. Generally, if a committee receives a contribution of $5,000 or more from an individual or entity, the committee must notify the contributor in writing within two weeks that they may need to file a major donor report. In the 90 days before an election, if a contribution of $10,000 or more is received, the notification must be sent within one week . Language for the notice is found in the applicable campaign disclosure manual. An individual or entity qualifies as a major donor if contributions totaling $10,000 or more are made in a calendar year to California (state and local) candidates and committees. Expenditure Questions 28. Q. How does a committee report printing expenses of $100 or more paid for with the committee’s credit card? A. The name and address of the credit card company and the amount paid must be listed on Schedule E or F of the Form 460, and the printing vendor’s name and address must be listed underneath with the amount paid to that vendor. Another example of “subvendor” reporting is when a campaign consultant purchases television advertisements, the names of the stations that air the advertisements must be listed. The campaign disclosure manuals contain examples of how to report subvendors on the Form 460. 29. Q. Is it permissible for a committee to have an agreement with an independent contractor (e.g., committee fundraiser) to pay additional money if fundraising goals are surpassed? A. Yes, under the Act, a contingency agreement may be made, such as a committee paying a bonus to a contractor if fundraising goals are met or a committee not paying a contractor unless a particular outcome is achieved. The arrangement should be made as part of a written contract. (Note that the Act strictly prohibits contingency fees to a lobbyist for the outcome of legislation or to a placement agent for securing an investment from a state retirement board.) 30. Q. Is it permissible to purchase gifts using campaign funds? A. Campaign funds may be used to purchase a gift only if the payment is directly related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose. Detailed information on the permissible use of campaign funds may be found in the campaign disclosure manuals. In addition, there are special reporting rules for candidate controlled committees when reporting expenditures for gifts, meals, and travel. (See Question #57 below.) Communications Questions 31. Q. What are the disclosure requirements for a mass mailing sent by a candidate? A. When a candidate sends a mass mailing (more than 200 pieces of the same or similar mail in a calendar month), the words “paid for by” and the name and address of the candidate’s committee must appear on the outside of the mailing in no less than six- point type and in a color that contrasts with the background. If two or more candidate controlled committees pay for the mailer, the name and address of at least one of the committees must be shown on the outside and the names and addresses of all committees must appear on at least one insert. The committee ID number is not required
www.fppc.ca.gov FPPC Advice: advice@fppc.ca.gov (866.275.3772) FPPC EAEU • 016 11-2022 • Page 6 of 11
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