Every two years the California Fair Political Practices Commission (“FPPC”) makes adjustments to the public official gift limit and state campaign contribution thresholds to reflect any changes in the Consumer Price Index.

For the 2016 calendar year, elected officials and designated public employees are prohibited from accepting gifts from any single source in excess of $460 in a calendar year. A “gift” is a payment or other benefit conferring a personal benefit for which the public official or employee did not provide payment or services of equal or greater value.

The new thresholds adopted by the FPPC increase the maximum gift limit to $470 for the 2017 and 2018 calendar years. The $460 limit will only apply for the remainder of 2016. As such, Statements of Economic Interest due early 2017 for the 2016 calendar year remain subject to the $460 limit. The increase does not alter reporting thresholds and Statement of Economic Interest filers remain obligated to report all gifts of $50 or more.

The Consumer Price Index adjustments also raise contribution limits for state elections, state voluntary expenditure ceilings, and state officeholder account contribution limits. Adjustments to state official thresholds do not affect local candidates, unless incorporated into a local ordinance. A complete list of the proposed limits can be found on the FPPC website, located here.

If you have any questions regarding the new limits, filing your Statement of Economic Interest, or any other compliance matter, please contact Steve Churchwell at (916) 468-0945, steve@whitebrennerllp.com, or Chris LaGrassa at (916) 468-0626, christopher@whitebrennerllp.com.