Form 700 - Statement of Economic Interests

The purpose of financial disclosure is to alert public officials to personal interests that might be affected while they are performing their official duties, i.e., making governmental decisions. Disclosure also helps inform the public about potential conflicts of interest.

Public officials at every level of state and local government must disclose their personal financial interests. Elected officials, judges, and high-ranking appointed officials generally have the most comprehensive disclosure requirements. (Gov. Code Section 87200.) These include disclosure of:

• Investments in business entities (e.g., stock holdings, owning a business, a partnership)
• Interests in real estate (real property)
• Sources of personal income, including gifts, loans and travel payments
• Positions of management or employment with business entities

Elected officials, appointed officials and certain staff are required to comply with State law provisions relating to conflicts of interest. Those provisions, known as the Political Reform Act of 1974 are found in California Government Code Sections 87100-87500. The Fair Political Practices Commission is the State agency responsible for enforcement of the Political Reform Act.

The link to the Fair Political Practices Commission's internet website is www.fppc.ca.gov. Statements of economic interests for some state and local government agency elected officers may be available in electronic format of the Commission's Internet Web site listed above.