The Political Reform Act of 1974 ("the Act") is California's conflict of interest law for public officials. The Act requires certain "designated" public officials at all levels of government to publicly disclose their private economic interests and requires all public officials to disqualify themselves from participating in decisions in which they have a financial interest. The Act establishes the Fair Political Practices Commission ("FPPC") to administer its requirements. This Bulletin sets forth the FPPC's publication entitled "A Guide to The Political Reform Act of 1974, California's Conflict of Interest Law for Public Officials," and is intended to assist University employees to understand and abide by the laws governing disclosure and disqualification.

Appendix A of this Bulletin sets forth the University's procedure for employees to disqualify themselves from University decision-making.

Appendix B of this Bulletin is a brief description of the FPPC's academic decision regulation. This regulation was adopted by the Fair Political Practices Commission because of concern that the Act would prohibit faculty and other members of the University with teaching and research responsibilities from making various individual decisions in the course of academic instruction and research which are protected by principles of academic freedom.

In addition to its reporting and disqualification requirements, the Act outright limits or prohibits the receipt of specified gifts and honoraria. These provisions as well as the University's policy on gifts are addressed in the University of California Policy and Guidelines Regarding Acceptance of Gifts and Gratuities by Employees Under Californiaâs Political Reform Act.

The Political Reform Act applies to any member, officer, employee or consultant of a state or local government, including the University of California. Officials at the Los Alamos National Laboratory are subject to the applicable provisions of the Act as a matter of University policy.

A.The Political Reform Act of 1974, Government Code Section 87100 et seq.

B.Regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission, Title 2, Division 6 of the California Code of Regulations.

C.University of California Political Reform Act Disqualification Requirements.

D.University Policy on Disclosure of Financial Interest in Private Sponsors of Research.

E.Guidelines for Disclosure and Review of Principal Investigator's Financial Interest in Private Sponsors of Research.