CA AB3123

Revises the MTA board code of conduct to specify that board members are subject to all applicable state ethics laws and eliminates specific rules on gifts and financial conflicts of interest, replacing them with governance by state law and MTA's administrative code.

Establishes the ethics officer as an independent position reporting to the board with expanded duties including providing advice on codes of conduct, lobbying, ethics, campaign finance, procurement, and conflicts of interest; prohibits removal except by two-thirds board vote or for violations of ethical practices.

Comprehensively recasts MTA lobbying regulations requiring lobbyists, lobbying firms, and lobbyist employers to register within 10 days and file quarterly reports; authorizes the ethics officer to conduct audits and impose late fees up to $300 for non-compliance.

Replaces a 3-year post-employment restriction on board members and employees working with MTA contractors with a 12-month prohibition limited to those who directly participated in contract awards, and authorizes the inspector general to enforce this restriction.

Repeals provisions restricting gifts from contractors to board members and eliminates the ordinance requirement for gift regulation, instead governing gifts through applicable state law and MTA's administrative code.