Sec. 54-105.5. Reporting of independent expenditures and electioneering communications.
(a) An independent spender that makes one or more independent expenditures or electioneering communications in an aggregate amount of $1,000 or more during an election cycle must file a report with the city clerk in accordance with this section. The report filed by an independent spender must include the following information:
(1) The full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address of the independent spender.
a. If the independent spender is a natural person, the report must include the occupation and employer of the person.
b. If the independent spender is a covered entity or other organization, the report must include:
1. The full name, mailing address, telephone number, email address, and title of the individual filing, and jointly responsible for the report on behalf of the entity.
2. The full name, mailing address, telephone number, email address, and title of the individual who is primarily responsible for approving the independent expenditures or electioneering communications made by the entity.
3. The full name of each principal owner of the entity, if any.
4. The URL for the website of the entity, if any.
5. The business or purpose of the entity, including its tax-exempt status, if applicable.
6. The street address of the entity's principal place of operations, if different from the mailing address.
(2) For each independent expenditure or electioneering communication made during the period covered by the report, the report must provide:
a. The full name and mailing address of each person to whom payment was made in connection with the independent expenditure or electioneering communication.
b. The amount, date, and a description of the independent expenditure or electioneering communication. The amount of independent expenditure or electioneering communication includes all design, production, and distribution costs.
c. The full name of each candidate, ballot issue, or ballot question to which the independent expenditure or electioneering communication refers or relates. In the case of an independent expenditure, the report must also indicate whether the expenditure supports or opposes each candidate to whom the expenditure refers or relates.
(3) The full name and mailing address of each donor who made one or more donations in an aggregate amount of $1,000 or more to the independent spender during the election cycle, along with the date and amount of each donation made by the donor in the reporting period, and the aggregate amount of donations made by the donor in the election cycle.
a. If the donor is a natural person, the report must include the person's occupation and employer.
b. If the donor is a covered entity or other organization, the report must specify the business or purpose of the entity, including its tax-exempt status, if applicable.
c. A donor who is identified on a report under this section need not be identified on any subsequent report filed by the independent spender unless the donor makes additional donations to the spender during the election cycle.
(4) The aggregate amount of independent expenditures and electioneering communications made by the independent spender in the reporting period and in the election cycle to date.
(5) A statement signed by the individual filing the report on behalf of the independent spender affirming, under penalty of law, that the report is accurate and complete.
(b) An independent spender must file an initial report under this section within 48 hours of making one or more independent expenditures or electioneering communications in an aggregate amount of $1,000 or more during an election cycle. The initial report must cover the period that begins on the first day of the election cycle and ends on the date that the independent spender makes independent expenditures or electioneering communications in an aggregate amount of $1,000 or more in the election cycle. After an independent spender files an initial report under this section, the spender must file a subsequent report within 48 hours of making any additional independent expenditure or electioneering communication during the same election cycle in which the initial report was filed. Each subsequent report must cover the period that begins on the day after the last date included in the independent spender's previous report and ends on the date that the additional independent expenditure or electioneering communication is made.
(c) A committee, including an independent expenditure committee, must report an independent expenditure or electioneering communication made by the committee in accordance with section 54-104. (Ord. No. 2020-58, § 2, 11-16-2020)