During public comment at the May 15 meeting of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, Laurie Alderman asked whether the FPPC can enable searches by name across multiple jurisdictions’ Form 700 filings or otherwise compile city Form 700 disclosures in one searchable location.

Alderman said she had obtained copies of Form 700 filings from several cities through public records requests and noted inconsistencies across filings in reported assets and income. “I have a question. The official that I was trying to get the Form 700s… I did get, through a PRA request, the Form 700s. So I have all of them now. But each city has reported different assets, income, all that on the Form 700. So I was wondering if there's a possibility of the FPPC looking into whether you can search by name and have all the 700s there,” she said.

Chair Silver and staff responded with instructions on next steps. Staff advised that if Alderman believes violations occurred she may file a complaint with the enforcement division; if she seeks guidance on Form 700 filing requirements she may contact the advice line. “If you do feel violations occurred, please feel free to do so with the enforcement division. If you do have questions regarding the Form 700 requirements, you can reach out to our advice line,” staff said.

The commission did not take any action on the request at the meeting; staff provided referral paths for enforcement complaints and advice inquiries.