Online filings made under this chapter will only be accepted if made in the standardized record format that is developed by the California Secretary of State pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 84602(a)(2), as may be amended from time to time, and that is compatible with the Secretary of State's system for receiving an online or electronic filing.
A. Procedures for utilizing online filing.
1. During the period commencing with the effective date of this chapter, an elected officer, candidate, or committee shall use the electronic filing system by electronically filing a statement that is required to be filed with the City Clerk pursuant to Chapter 4 of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code § 84100 et seq.), unless the officer, candidate or committee is exempt pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 84615.
2. Any elected officer, candidate, or committee who has electronically filed a statement using the City Clerk's online system is not required to file a copy of that document in paper format with the City Clerk.
3. The City Clerk shall issue an electronic confirmation that notifies the filer that the statement was received, which notification shall include the date and the time that the statement was received and the method by which the filer may view and print the data received by the City Clerk. The date of filing for a statement filed online shall be the day that it is received by the City Clerk.
4. If the City Clerk's online system is not capable of accepting a statement, an elected officer, candidate, or committee shall file that statement in paper format with the City Clerk.
5. The online or electronic filing system shall include a procedure for filers to comply with the requirement that they sign statements and reports under penalty of perjury and verify filings pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 81004.
6. The online filing system shall enable electronic filers to complete and submit filings free of charge.
B. Availability of statements for public review, record retention.
1. The City Clerk's system shall make all the data filed available on the Internet in an easily understood format that provides the greatest public access. The data shall be made available free of charge and as soon as possible after receipt. The data made available on the Internet shall not contain the street name and building number of the persons or entity representatives listed on the electronically filed forms or any bank account number required to be disclosed by the filer. The City Clerk's office shall make a complete, unredacted copy of the statement, including any street names, building numbers, and bank account numbers disclosed by the filer, available to any persons, and available to any person upon request.
2. The City Clerk's office shall maintain, for a period of at least ten years commencing from the date filed, a secured, official version of each online or electronic statement which shall serve as the official version of that record for purpose of audits and any other legal purpose.
(Ord. 1228, passed 5-17-2022)