A. “Agent” means a person who acts on behalf or at the behest of any other person or accepts a contribution on behalf of a candidate. If an individual acting as an agent is also acting as an employee or member of a law, architectural, engineering or consulting firm, or a similar entity or corporation, both the entity or corporation and the individual are “agents.”

B. “At the behest” means made under the control or at the direction of, in cooperation, consultation, coordination, or concert with, at the request or suggestion of, or with the express prior consent of.

C. “Campaign contribution account” is that account in which all contributions or loans made to the candidate shall be deposited as required by Government Code Section 85201.

D. “Campaign statement” means the campaign statement required by the PRA (see California Government Code Sections 84200, et seq.).

E. “Candidate” means any individual seeking any City elective office, the candidate’s campaign committee, committee(s) controlled by the candidate, and agents of the candidate.

F. “City elective office” means the offices held by the Mayor, members of the City Council, or the City Attorney. The “same City elective office,” as that term is used in this chapter, means the specific seat held by the Mayor, as defined by Charter Section 300(C); the specific seat held by the City Attorney; or, in the case of a City Council member, the specific City Council District seat numbered 1, 2, 3, or 4 held by the City Council member, or the numbered seat to which that City Council member or candidate for such office is reassigned as a result of redistricting. For example, if, during the redistricting process, the district lines are redrawn such that the residence of the City Council member representing and running for District 1 or a candidate running for District 1 becomes located within District 2, 3 or 4, the member’s or candidate’s District 1 seat, as the case may be, would be considered, for purposes of this chapter, the “same City elective office” as the District 2, 3 or 4 seat so re-assigned.

G. “Contribution” is defined in a manner identical with the definition found in Government Code Section 82015, contained within the Political Reform Act, and any related provisions in the California Code of Regulations.

H. “Enforcement authority,” under this chapter, means that special counsel appointed by the City Attorney pursuant to CVMC 2.52.140.

I. “General election” is that election identified by Charter Section 900, which is combined with the state primary election.

J. “Organization” means a proprietorship, labor union, firm, partnership, joint venture, syndicate, business, trust, company, corporation, association, or committee, including a political action committee. “Organization” does not include political party committees, as that term is defined in California Government Code Section 85205.

K. “Person” means a natural individual.

L. “Political Reform Act” means the California Political Reform Act of 1974, as amended, found at Government Code Section 81000, et seq., and includes regulations adopted by the Fair Political Practices Commission.

M. “Single election contest” means either a general or special election.

N. “Special election” is as defined in Charter Section 901. (Ord. 3506 § 1, 2021; Ord. 3179 § 1, 2011; Ord. 3086 § 1, 2007).