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Ethics Filings

Legislative Overview. The legislature passed comprehensive ethics reform in the 2010 legislative session.The law becomes effective on January 10, 2011.The most significant changes in the law for city officials are:Electronic filing of Personal Financial Disclosure and Campaign Contribution Disclo

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Ethics Filings

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    1. Ethics Filings

    2. Legislative Overview The legislature passed comprehensive ethics reform in the 2010 legislative session. The law becomes effective on January 10, 2011. The most significant changes in the law for city officials are: Electronic filing of Personal Financial Disclosure and Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports with the State Ethics Commission (SEC). Reports are electronically filed directly by the candidate/elected official with the SEC. Elected officials must complete the forms individually and forms cannot be completed by city employees.

    3. Filing Requirements City officials should have already submitted PIN applications. Candidates must complete and send a PIN application to the SEC, by November 30, 2010, to begin electronic filing. The PIN application requests a current email address. The email address may not be a city-affiliated email address.

    4. Filing Requirements Elected officials must fill out, have notarized and mail to the SEC the PIN Application that applies to BOTH CCDRs and PFDs. Only one form needs to be completed and it is titled: CCDR & FD Electronic Filing Access Code CANDIDATES/OFFICE HOLDERS ONLY Exception: If the elected official currently serves on a state authority commission or state board, the official should already have a PIN for PFD. In that case, the elected official should complete the PIN for the CCDR only.

    5. Filing Requirements The PIN application is available on the SEC website: http://www.ethics.ga.gov/references/pdf/forms/campaign/CCDRFDPIN-Candidate.pdf

    6. Filing Requirements Once the PIN application has been sent to the SEC, watch for an email confirmation from the SEC. If you do not receive an email confirmation by March 1, 2011, please call the SEC to follow up on your PIN application. The email confirmation from the SEC will contain a link to a login screen. Click on the link, then login. Once this is done, you will be able to access the system in order to file CCDRs and PFDs when they are due.

    7. SEC E-filing sign in screen

    8. Filing Requirements City officials must complete the PFDs and CCDRs individually. After January 10, 2011, the city clerk is no longer permitted to assist an elected official with these forms.

    9. Filing Requirements All candidates/elected officials must complete the Personal Financial Disclosure Report electronically and must file the report with the SEC by July 1 of each year in which the officer holds office. In an election year, candidates must file a PFD with the SEC within 15 days of qualifying as a candidate.

    10. Filing Requirements If your election is scheduled for: November 2010 Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports must be filed on: December 31, 2010 with the city clerk and June 30 and December 31, 2011 electronically with the SEC . If 2012 is an election year, CCDRs must be filed electronically with the SEC on March 31, June 30, September 30, Oct 25 and December 31. If you are in a non-election year, CCDRs are filed electronically with the SEC on June 30 and December 31. 2011 Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports must be filed on: December 31, 2010 with the city clerk and March 31, June 30, September 30, Oct 25 and December 31 of 2011 electronically with the SEC. Special Elections: 15 days prior to the Special Election in which the candidate is listed on the ballot.

    11. Penalties A late filing fee of $125 will be imposed for each CCDR and PFD report that is filed late. Notice of the late fee will be sent to the candidate An additional late fee of $250 will be imposed after the 15th day the filing was due. The fee will increase by $1,000 after the 45th day that the filing was due (total of $1375 in late fees) Campaign funds may not be used to pay the late fee.

    12. Sample E-Mail Notice to File

    13. Training The SEC encourages elected officials to attend SEC-sponsored trainings. You may use campaign funds to pay for expenses (gas/lodging) that have been incurred to attend the training. Dates of training in the Atlanta area are on the SEC website. Shortly, the SEC will have online tutorials to provide instruction on how to fill out the CCDRs and PFDs. These will be step-by-step tutorials that you can listen to at your own pace.

    14. For Additional Information The SEC encourages elected officials to contact the Education Division with any questions about filling out forms and filing: Belinda Godwin, BGODWIN@ETHIC.GA.GOV Director of Education and Information Maria Bazile, mbazile@ethics.ga.gov Education Coordinator (404) 463-1980/ www.ethics.ga.gov

    15. For Additional Information Marcia Rubensohn mrubensohn@gmanet.com (678) 686-6248 Visit GMA's website at: www.gmanet.com

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