SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Melissa Hurtado (D- Bakersfield) today advanced Senate Bill 401, legislation that would allow the state’s political watchdog, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to temporarily extend deadlines for public office holders to file their statements of economic interest if they reside in an area where an emergency situation declared by the Governor or a local governing body agency has affected their community.

“During a catastrophic emergency such as deadly wildfire, we can grant some temporary grace to a local elected who might have lost their home, livelihood and personal records while they are in public office and helping others in their community recover from the same catastrophe,” said Senator Melissa Hurtado. “Voters always deserve transparency from elected officials when filing their statements of economic interest as part of serving in public official. This bill simply extends the same reasonable accommodations we grant others to public officials to help them get back on their feet, without ever exempting them from the law.”  

Senate Bill 401 received bipartisan support from legislators with districts affected by wildfires and was passed by the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee on a 5-0 vote. 

Senator Melissa Hurtado is Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 on State Administration and General Government and currently represents the 16th Senate District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern Counties.

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