SACRAMENTO – The Independent Expenditure Disclosure Act (AB 404), introduced by Assemblymember Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City), was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger today and will take effect January 1, 2008.  AB 404 passed through both houses of the legislature on unanimous votes.

“The public has made it clear - and rightly so - that clean elections are important to them.  My bill is another step in that direction,” Assemblymember Ira Ruskin said. 

AB 404 requires campaign advertisements by independent expenditure committees, in support of or in opposition to a candidate, to state in a disclaimer that they were not done with the knowledge or cooperation of candidates in the race

Independent expenditure committees, by law, must operate “independently” from a candidate.  That means the candidate and the committee cannot coordinate activities and the candidate cannot direct the committee in any way.  However, in some cases, independent expenditures have ascribed to a candidate views actually at variance with his or her beliefs.  Independent expenditure committees have also created the false impression that negative ads were approved by a particular candidate. 

In 2000, California voters approved Proposition 34, an initiative capping direct contributions for both legislative and gubernatorial candidates.  Independent expenditure committees, however, were not limited and continue to have the freedom to spend any amount they wish in support or opposition of a candidate.  The intent of Proposition 34 was to “increase public information regarding campaign contributions and expenditures.”  This did not happen with regard to independent expenditures.