California Government Accountability Act

SECTION 1. TITLE

This measure shall be known as the "California Government Accountability Act."

SECTION 2. FINDINGS

1. Over $500 million is spent annually lobbying California's government.
2. More than 3,500 lobbyists work in Sacramento, outnumbering legislators 30 to 1.
3. Dark money in California elections exceeds $15 million per cycle.
4. The revolving door between government and lobbying undermines public trust.

SECTION 3. CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

Section 85301 is added to the Government Code:

(a) Individual contributions to candidates limited to $2,500 per election.

(b) Corporate PAC contributions to candidates prohibited.

(c) Aggregate contribution limits of $50,000 per person per election cycle.

(d) All contributions over $1,000 disclosed within 24 hours.

SECTION 4. LOBBYING TRANSPARENCY

(a) 72-hour public notice required before meetings between lobbyists and legislators or senior staff.

(b) Detailed disclosure of all lobbying contacts, including subject matter and position advocated.

(c) Online searchable database of all lobbying activity updated weekly.

SECTION 5. REVOLVING DOOR

(a) 5-year ban on lobbying for former legislators and senior staff.

(b) 3-year ban on lobbying for former agency heads and commissioners.

(c) Lifetime ban on lobbying the specific agency where official served.

SECTION 6. ETHICS COMMISSION

(a) Independent California Ethics Commission established with subpoena power.

(b) Commissioners appointed by judicial nominating commission, not elected officials.

(c) Automatic penalties for violations. Whistleblower reward program of 10-30% of penalties recovered.

SECTION 7. CONTRACT TRANSPARENCY

(a) All government contracts over $25,000 published online within 30 days. (b) Competitive bidding required for all contracts over $100,000. (c) Contractor performance ratings publicly available.

SECTION 8. FISCAL IMPACT

Implementation cost: $50M annually. Funded through ethics violation penalties and lobbying registration fees. Estimated savings from reduced corruption: $500M+ annually.