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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING ASSEMBLY BILL 1234 WHICH PERTAINS TO ETHICS TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At the October 29, 2024 City Council Meeting, a referral was made by Councilmember Nehrenheim, and approved by Council, to schedule an agenda item to discuss ethics training requirements for local officials as established by California Assembly Bill (AB) 1234.
AB 1234 was signed into law in 2005 and requires that elected and appointed officials who are appointed, or reimbursed for their service, complete ethics training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter. The training focuses on public service ethics laws and principles, covering topics like conflicts of interest, gift limitations, and government transparency. The training is intended to ensure that elected and appointed officials understand their ethical obligations while in office.
There are numerous options that can be utilized to satisfy the training requirements, including trainings provided by commercial organizations, non-profits, outside legal counsel, or free online training offered by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
Attached is the text of AB 1234, literature from the Institute for Local Government, and an outline of course requirements prepared by the California Attorney General’s Office that provides uniform guidance regarding appropriate course content.
ATTACHMENTS
• Text - AB 1234
• AB 1234 Update - Institute for Local Government
• Outline - Ethics Training for Local Officials, California State Attorney General’s Office