Behested Payments Search: Increasing Transparency

Below is a chart showing "behested payments" reported by members of the Senate and Assembly, and statewide elected officials. 

Under California's transparency laws, an elected official who fundraises or otherwise solicits payments from one individual or organization to be given to another individual or organization may be required to report the payment. Generally, a payment is considered "behested" and subject to reporting if:

• it is made at the request, suggestion, or solicitation of, or made in cooperation, consultation, coordination, or concert with the public official; 
• it is made for a legislative, governmental or charitable purpose; and 
• it does not qualify as a gift (made for personal purposes) or a contribution (made for election-related activity) to the elected official. 

While state law limits the amount of gifts and campaign contributions, there are no limits on behested payments. However, state law requires the reporting of behested payments if they total $5,000 or more per calendar year from a single source. There are no reporting requirements for payments up to $4,999.99. 

Officials must report the behested payments within 30 days of the date they are made. This information is updated on a regular basis. Copies of the full reports are available at the FPPC office in Sacramento, 1102 Q Street, Suite 3050. 

Download the raw behested payment data in excel format

Text based search using the name of the elected official, payor or payee.