Title:
Title
(Pass for Publication) An Ordinance Amending Sacramento City Code Chapter 2.15, the City of Sacramento Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Code to Mandate Electronic Filing
End
FileID
File ID: 2020-01508
Location
Location: Citywide
End
Recommendation:
Recommendation
1) Review an ordinance amending Sacramento City Code Chapter 2.15, the City of Sacramento Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Code; and 2) pass for publication the ordinance title per Sacramento City Code section 32(c) for consideration on January 12, 2021.
FileName
Contact: Mindy Cuppy, MMC, (916) 808-5442, Office of the City Clerk
Body
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Ordinance (Redline)
3-Ordinance (Clean)
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The purpose of the Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Code (Sacramento City Code chapter 2.15; the “Sacramento Lobbyist Code”) is to maintain a fair and open decision-making process in city government and to ensure that the public and city officials have full knowledge of lobbying activities that have been brought to bear on any legislative or administrative action. To that end, the Sacramento Lobbyist Code states that-
• the people of Sacramento have the need and right to know the identity of lobbyists who attempt to influence the decisions of city government and the means employed by them to advance their interests;
• full disclosure of lobbying activities of such persons and the identity of their employers, will contribute to public confidence in the integrity of local government; and
• full disclosure is also necessary to ensure that city officials are kept informed about the identity of persons whose interests the lobbyists represent.
(Sacramento City Code § 2.15.020.)
To increase transparency and open decision-making, it is recommended that electronic filing be mandated. A survey was sent to Sacramento’s registered lobbyists, and 100% of the respondents were in favor of using electronic filing. The recommended amendment makes additional administrative changes to the code to modernize and clarify language.
Policy Considerations: Not applicable.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environment Considerations: Not applicable.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: The Ethics Commission reviewed and commented on the proposed amendments. The commission has formed an ad hoc committee to review other provisions of the Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Code and may make additional recommendations in their annual report to the City Council.
On December 15, 2020, the Law and Legislation Committee voted 4-0 to forward the proposed ordinance to council for consideration.
Rationale for Recommendation: An update of the Sacramento Lobbyist Code will increase transparency, open decision-making, and efficiency of lobbyist registration and reporting.
Financial Considerations: None.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.