Behested Payments

Under California transparency law, an elected official who fundraises or otherwise solicits or requests payments from one individual or organization to be given to another individual or organization may be required to report the payment. State law requires officials to report behested payments if they total $5,000 or more per calendar year from a single source. Officials must report payments to the Public Ethics Commission within 30 days of the date they are made. The table below is updated monthly.

Generally, a payment is considered "behested" and subject to reporting if:

1. The payment is made at the request, suggestion, or solicitation of, or made in cooperation, consultation, coordination, or concert with the public official;
2. The payment is made for a legislative, governmental or charitable purpose; and
3. The payment does not qualify as a gift (made for personal purposes) or a contribution (made for election-related activity) to the elected official.

While state and Oakland laws limit the amount of gifts and campaign contributions, there are no limits on behested payments.