Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 21, 2021
Subject
SUBJECT: TICKETS OR PASSES DISTRIBUTION POLICY
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING the Tickets or Passes Distribution Policy in Attachment A; and
B. AUTHORIZING the Chief Ethics Officer to amend the policy consistent with any changes in state law or Metro priorities.
Issue
ISSUE
Currently, Metro does not have a Tickets or Passes Distribution Policy. The policy provides required standards set by the California Fair Political Practices Commission ("FPPC") so that the tickets or passes provided to Metro from outside sources, and then appropriately distributed to the Metro Board, Board staff, Metro employees and designated consultants, are not considered gifts under state law.
Background
BACKGROUND
Throughout 2020 and 2021, Metro received offers of tickets or passes during the COVID-19 pandemic from outside sources generally seeking to boost the morale of frontline workers and other agency personnel. Under state law, to properly accept and distribute these tickets or passes without requiring potential disclosure on California Form 700 as gifts, the Metro Board of Directors must adopt a policy consistent with regulations issued by the FPPC.
Dozens of California cities, counties, and other governmental entities (e.g., Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles) have adopted similar policies. In adopting the policy, Metro would align with the rest of the state and ensure that all offers of tickets or passes are accepted under the standards set by state law.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The FPPC permits the acceptance and distribution of tickets or passes provided to public agencies from outside sources, without considering the tickets or passes as gifts under state law, only if agencies adopt policies consistent with FPPC regulations (currently contained in FPPC Regulation ? 18944.1). Once adopted, assuming compliance with th...
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