CA SB1404

Transfers responsibility for conducting audits and field investigations of lobbying reports from the Franchise Tax Board to the Fair Political Practices Commission, effective until January 1, 2033.

Establishes a new Field Audits and Investigations Fund, continuously appropriated to the Commission, funded by a new fee not exceeding $500 per year charged to lobbying firms and lobbyist employers subject to audit.

Requires the Commission to conduct audits of 60 lobbying firms and lobbyist employers annually starting February 2027, with at least 25 of those audits targeting firms with the highest reported payments.

Mandates the Commission to post completed audits on its website for at least 10 years, annually report audit statistics to the Legislature, and adopt regulations ensuring audit personnel independence from enforcement operations.

Sunsets most provisions on January 1, 2033, returning lobbying audit responsibilities to the Franchise Tax Board and reverting the audit fee structure to the original $50 per year fee split between two funds.