Text of CA AB 1207 (2006)

skip to content home accessibility FAQ feedback sitemap login x Quick Search: Bill Number Bill Keyword Home Bill Information California Law Publications Other Resources My Subscriptions My Favorites Bill Information >> Bill Search >> Text Bill Text PDF2 Add To My Favorites | Version: 09/28/06 - Chaptered 08/23/06 - Enrolled 08/07/06 - Amended Senate 05/23/06 - Amended Senate 01/04/06 - Amended Assembly 02/22/05 - Introduced AB-1207 Code of Fair Campaign Practices.(2005-2006) Text >> Votes >> History >> Bill Analysis >> Today's Law As Amended >> Compare Versions >> Status >> Comments To Author >> Add To My Favorites >> SHARE THIS: Bill Start Assembly Bill No. 1207 CHAPTER 551 An act to amend Section 20440 of the Elections Code, relating to elections. [ Approved by Governor September 28, 2006. Filed with Secretary of State September 28, 2006. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1207, Yee. Code of Fair Campaign Practices. Existing law requires that, at the time an individual is issued his or her declaration of candidacy, nomination papers, or other paper evidencing an intention to be a candidate for public office, the elections official provide the individual with a form that the individual may voluntarily sign, titled the “Code of Fair Campaign Practices.” Among other things, the Code of Fair Campaign Practices sets forth specified conduct in which the individual pledges not to engage in his or her election campaign. This bill would revise the pledge contained in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices to provide that the individual shall not, in the conduct of his or her campaign, use a candidate’s actual or perceived race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, sex, including gender identity, or any other specified characteristic. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares both of the following: (a) The Legislature encourages meaningful discussion and debate in campaigns about policies and relevant issues, including ones that may be controversial, and supports candidates’ free expression of their views on policies and relevant issues during the course of a campaign. (b) The Legislature is concerned about the use of prejudice or appeals to prejudice in campaigns, especially when the prejudice or appeals to prejudice manifest themselves in explicit or subtle personal attacks based on a candidate’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, sex, including gender identity, or any other characteristic set forth in Section 12940 of the Government Code, or association with another person who has any of the actual or perceived characteristics set forth in Section 12940 of the Government Code. SEC. 2. Section 20440 of the Elections Code is amended to read: 20440. At the time an individual is issued his or her declaration of candidacy, nomination papers, or any other paper evidencing an intention to be a candidate for public office, the elections official shall give the individual a blank form of the code and a copy of this chapter. The elections official shall inform each candidate for public office that subscription to the code is voluntary. In the case of a committee making an independent expenditure, as defined in Section 82031 of the Government Code, the Secretary of State shall provide a blank form and a copy of this chapter to the individual filing, in accordance with Title 9 (commencing with Section 81000) of the Government Code, an initial campaign statement on behalf of the committee. The text of the code shall read, as follows: “CODE OF FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES There are basic principles of decency, honesty, and fair play which every candidate for public office in the State of California has a moral obligation to observe and uphold in order that, after vigorously contested but fairly conducted campaigns, our citizens may exercise their constitutional right to a free and untrammeled choice and the will of the people may be fully and clearly expressed on the issues. THEREFORE: (1) I SHALL CONDUCT my campaign openly and publicly, discussing the issues as I see them, presenting my record and policies with sincerity and frankness, and criticizing without fear or favor the record and policies of my opponents or political parties that merit this criticism. (2) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT the use of character defamation, whispering campaigns, libel, slander, or scurrilous attacks on any candidate or his or her personal or family life. (3) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT any appeal to negative prejudice based on a candidate’s actual or perceived race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, sex, including gender identity, or any other characteristic set forth in Section 12940 of the Government Code, or association with another person who has any of the actual or perceived characteristics set forth in Section 12940 of the Government Code. (4) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT any dishonest or unethical practice that tends to corrupt or undermine our American system of free elections, or that hampers or prevents the full and free expression of the will of the voters including acts intended to hinder or prevent any eligible person from registering to vote, enrolling to vote, or voting. (5) I SHALL NOT coerce election help or campaign contributions for myself or for any other candidate from my employees. (6) I SHALL IMMEDIATELY AND PUBLICLY REPUDIATE support deriving from any individual or group that resorts, on behalf of my candidacy or in opposition to that of my opponent, to the methods and tactics that I condemn. I shall accept responsibility to take firm action against any subordinate who violates any provision of this code or the laws governing elections. (7) I SHALL DEFEND AND UPHOLD the right of every qualified American voter to full and equal participation in the electoral process. I, the undersigned, candidate for election to public office in the State of California or treasurer or chairperson of a committee making any independent expenditures, hereby voluntarily endorse, subscribe to, and solemnly pledge myself to conduct my campaign in accordance with the above principles and practices.” DateSignature