Disclosure
Disclosure is a key component of the Ethics Commission’s work and spans all four program areas. The information that must be disclosed is designed to help the public make informed decisions about elections and feel confident in how government does business. To further assist the public, the Ethics Commission makes disclosed information easily accessible online.
FILINGS
City and state laws require a variety of public disclosure statements, and the Ethics Commission processes over 15,000 filings every year. Disclosure is required of candidates, committees, contributors, independent spenders, officeholders, commissioners, City officials, departments, bidders, contractors, and lobbying entities.
Each disclosure statement has specific filing requirements. Most disclosure statements may be submitted through our electronic filing systems. Information disclosed electronically may be viewed and searched through our Public Data Portal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For questions regarding specific scenarios, please contact us prior to taking action.
I am a City official. Why do I have to tell the public about my personal financial interests?
The purpose of disclosure by City officials is to help the government avoid conflicts of interests. Going through the process of disclosing helps you to identify personal interests that might be affected by your City duties and alert you to when you need to recuse yourself. Your disclosure also helps the public understand and feel confident that decisions you participate in are made in their best interests and not for personal gain.
I am running for City office. What are my disclosure requirements?
The reports that you must file can be accessed here.
Can I search and download campaign finance data?
Yes. You may search for specific data, download to Excel files, and view and print PDFs of disclosure statements here.
I saw on the Council File Index that a lobbying firm spoke on the record about an issue I am interested in. How can I get more information about the firm?
You may search for information filed by the lobbying firm through our Public Data Portal.
How can I get a copy of a commissioner’s Form 700 and Form 60?
Most disclosures filed by commissioners can be searched and downloaded online through our Public Data Portal. You may also request paper or PDF copies of the forms by contacting us.
What if I inadvertently filed inaccurate information or the information that I filed has changed?
You must file an amendment to correct or update any information that you file, and a deadline for the amendment may be specified by law. You must file the amendment the same way that you filed the original disclosure statement.
What if I missed a filing deadline?
You must file immediately. In addition to other remedies, you may be required to pay late filing penalties, which accrue on a daily basis.
City and state laws require a variety of public disclosure statements, and the Ethics Commission processes over 15,000 filings every year. Disclosure is required of candidates, committees, contributors, independent spenders, officeholders, commissioners, City officials, departments, bidders, contractors, and lobbying entities.
Each disclosure statement has specific filing requirements. Most disclosure statements may be submitted through our electronic filing systems. Information disclosed electronically may be viewed and searched through our Public Data Portal.
For questions regarding specific scenarios, please contact us prior to taking action.
I am a City official. Why do I have to tell the public about my personal financial interests?
The purpose of disclosure by City officials is to help the government avoid conflicts of interests. Going through the process of disclosing helps you to identify personal interests that might be affected by your City duties and alert you to when you need to recuse yourself. Your disclosure also helps the public understand and feel confident that decisions you participate in are made in their best interests and not for personal gain.
I am running for City office. What are my disclosure requirements?
The reports that you must file can be accessed here.
Can I search and download campaign finance data?
Yes. You may search for specific data, download to Excel files, and view and print PDFs of disclosure statements here.
I saw on the Council File Index that a lobbying firm spoke on the record about an issue I am interested in. How can I get more information about the firm?
You may search for information filed by the lobbying firm through our Public Data Portal.
How can I get a copy of a commissioner’s Form 700 and Form 60?
Most disclosures filed by commissioners can be searched and downloaded online through our Public Data Portal. You may also request paper or PDF copies of the forms by contacting us.
What if I inadvertently filed inaccurate information or the information that I filed has changed?
You must file an amendment to correct or update any information that you file, and a deadline for the amendment may be specified by law. You must file the amendment the same way that you filed the original disclosure statement.
What if I missed a filing deadline?
You must file immediately. In addition to other remedies, you may be required to pay late filing penalties, which accrue on a daily basis.
