CA SB459

Requires lobbyists, lobbying firms, and lobbyist employers to disclose each bill or administrative action subject to lobbying activity in periodic reports, effective one year after Secretary of State certifies an online filing system or January 1, 2023, whichever is later.

Mandates disclosure of the position advocated (support, oppose, support if amended, etc.) for issue lobbying advertisements costing $2,500 or more in connection with legislative or administrative actions.

Requires persons paying or promising to pay $5,000 or more during a calendar quarter for issue lobbying advertisements to file reports within 72 hours with the Secretary of State, including advertisement costs, dissemination dates, legislative actions involved, and position taken.

Requires lobbyist employers to file expedited reports within 48 hours during the 60-day period before legislative recess if they pay a new lobbying firm $5,000 or more, identifying the firm and legislative actions involved.

Permits entities filing reports in paper with the Secretary of State to verify filings by electronic signature rather than requiring physical signatures.