Independent expenditures and major‑funding disclosures: what Berkeley requires

Deputy City Attorney Lauren Packard and City Clerk Mark Newmanville set out Berkeley's rules on independent expenditures and major funding disclosure requirements.

"The period for reporting late independent expenditures of a 100 of $1,000 or more extends to the last 90 days before the election day, and you have to report it within 24 hours," Packard said, and added that Berkeley requires three copies of the funded communication to be submitted to the city clerk. She also described the major funding disclosure that appears on paid communications and said the top four donors and amounts must be identified in printed materials and major online communications.

Officials noted that the major funding disclosure must be updated within seven days when orders are placed for mass communications and urged committees to include the required "paid for" language in the proper size and placement to comply with both state and local rules.