Date: 3/01/06
Last year, the governor signed Assembly Bill 1234 (Chapter 700) which imposes ethics training, as well as other compensation and reimbursement requirements, on cities, counties and special districts. The law requires local agency officials who receive compensation (such as a stipend) or reimbursement for expenses to receive two hours of training in general ethics principles and ethics laws every two years.
Because the legislation specifically defines “local agency” as a city, county, or special district, it is the opinion of CSBA that this law does not apply to school districts or county offices of education.
Certainly, nothing in the law prohibits school and county board members from voluntarily receiving ethics training. It is our understanding the attorney general and/or Fair Political Practices Commission will be developing a free, online AB 1234 training seminar. Once the online seminar is finalized, CSBA would encourage board members to review those training resources.
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