The Law

The Fair Political Practices Commission has primary responsibility for the impartial and effective administration of the Political Reform Act. The mission of the Act is to serve as the legal bedrock of governmental ethics in California.

The Political Reform Act

View the full version of the Political Reform Act.

Read the Political Reform Act

FPPC Regulations

View an index of FPPC regulations or information about newly adopted, amended, repealed or proposed regulations.

View FPPC Regulations

Advice Letters and Commission Opinions

Search through FPPC Advice Letters and Commission Opinions.

Read Advice Letters

The Mission of the Law

The Fair Political Practices Commission has primary responsibility for the impartial and effective administration of the Political Reform Act. The mission of the Act is to serve as the legal bedrock of governmental ethics in California. It regulates: 

  • Campaign Finance
  • Financial Conflicts of Interest by Public Officials
  • Lobbyist Registration and Reporting
  • Post-Governmental Employment
  • Political Mass Mailings at Public Expense
  • Gifts and Honoraria given to Public Officials and Candidates

Why Was the Act Passed?

Before the Act there were few rules governing the conduct of elected officials, campaigns, and lobbyists. Many considered politics to be similar to the “wild west,” where lobbyists could give gifts to members of the legislature without restriction, and campaign contributions could be made in cash without disclosing the source. There was little transparency, and trust in government was at an all-time low.

Then in the early 1970s, a major political scandal occurred in the United States that ultimately led to the resignation of the president – Watergate. In this volatile political environment, a coalition of reformers presented a statewide ballot initiative to California voters that they claimed would “put an end to corruption in politics.” The initiative was approved by more than 70 percent of California voters in 1974, forming the Act and the FPPC. 

How Has the Law Evolved?

Lawmakers and voters have changed the Act over time to account for the ever-changing landscape of campaign finance and to ensure the integrity of California’s public officials. For example, ballot measures such as Proposition 208 (1998) and Proposition 34 (2000) dramatically altered the rules every candidate and elected official must follow when running for office.  

Implementing the Law - Regulations

In addition to statutory changes in the Act, the FPPC has also played a role in fine-tuning the landmark law to achieve its goals. In order to provide specific guidelines to candidates, committees, treasurers, public officials, and other members of the regulated community, the FPPC adopts the regulations that implement the Act.  

Recent Changes to the Political Reform Act

View summaries of the recent legislative and regulatory changes to the Political Reform Act.

Interested Persons Meetings & Comment Periods

Find up-to-date information on key policy discussions underway at the FPPC. Send in comments or attend a meeting to make your point of view heard.

Pending Legislation

Legislation related to the Political Reform Act or the Commission, and positions taken by the Commission.

Prior Year Versions of the Act

Every year the California Legislature makes changes to provisions in the Act. In order to help the regulated community, media, and public track the various changes that have been made, the FPPC posts the legislative changes that have been made over the last two years.

Local Campaign Ordinances

A local jurisdiction may enact a campaign ordinance that provides for additional or different campaign requirements for candidates and committees active exclusively in its jurisdiction as long as the provisions are stricter than those imposed by the Political Reform Act (the “Act”). View local campaign ordinances submitted to the FPPC on this page.

Advice Letter Reports

View an archive of all FPPC Advice Letter Reports recapping the advice letters for that month and year.