A Primer on AB 1234

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Where can I get training?
• When do I have to get training?
• What is AB 1234?
• Who has to comply?
• Why do we have AB 1234?
• What topics are covered in this training?
• Who can I contact for more information?
• How much does it cost and how do I register?
  
  
  Order a copy of ACWA’s "Guidelines for Conduct and AB 1234 Compliance: A Primer for Public Water Agency Officials"

Where can I get training?

ACWA will be providing training at its semi-annual conferences (May, and November or December). Volunteer members of ACWA’s Legal Affairs Committee will provide the training.

You can also receive training from the Attorney General's website and the Fair Political Practices Commission's website.

When do I have to get training?

A public official in office prior to January 1, 2006, must receive his/her initial training by January 1, 2007. A public official taking office on or after January 1, 2006, must receive his/her initial training within one year of the first date of service. Those office holders whose terms ends prior to January 1, 2007 are not required to receive the training. Subsequent training is required for a minimum of two hours every two years thereafter.

AB 1234 is a new law, effective January 1, 2006, that has two basic components. The first requires local public agencies that provide reimbursement for expenses to members of its legislative body, or compensation for attendance at meetings or occurrences other than specified meetings of the legislative or an advisory body meeting and conferences, to develop and adopt written policies that govern how and when reimbursements and compensation can occur. The written policies must be adopted at a public meeting. Additionally, AB 1234 requires officials of local public agencies that provide any type of compensation, salary, or stipend, or reimbursement of expenses to receive a minimum of two hours of training every two years in general ethical principles and ethics laws.

Local public officials include members of the legislative body of a local public agency, whether elected or appointed, who receive any type of compensation, salary or stipend, or reimbursement of expenses, and those employees designated by the agency to receive the training. Local public agencies whose officials are required to receive the training must keep records of the dates of training and who provided it.

Ethical missteps and lapses in sound judgment by a number of public officials in the past few years were brought to the attention of the media and the California Legislature. In response, several legislators sought to reform special district governance. AB 1234, which was supported by ACWA, the League of California Cities, the California Special Districts Association, and numerous other organizations and local entities, became the vehicle that passed and signed. AB 1234 provides meaningful targeted local agency reform that includes ethics training and tighter control over the definition of a meeting for purposes of compensation or reimbursement for necessary expenses. AB 1234 provides local agencies with the guidelines to develop those definitions at the local level. Most importantly, AB 1234 respects local agency authority by not dictating each detail of the reform measures. Local voters remain in control of their local agency.

What topics are covered in this training?

• Responsibilities of office
• Proper use and safeguarding of agency property and resources
• Conflict of interest
• Gift of public funds
• Financial interest disclosure
• Due process requirements
• Incompatible offices
• Brown Act
• Compensation and expense reimbursement

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training - AB 1825 is NOT covered in this ethics training course.

Who can I contact for more information?
Contact ACWA's Meetings and Membership Department toll free at 1 (888) 666-2292 or by e-mail at events@acwa.com.

How much will it cost and how do I register?
To register for the Ethics Training being held in conjunction with the ACWA Spring or Fall Conference & Exhibitions, you will need to either be registered for the conference or fill out a one day registration for the conference. See the conference registration form.

If you are already registered for the conference no additonal fee is required to attend the Ethics Training session. However, if you are not registered for the conference, then a daily conference registration fee will apply as follows:

Preregistration
Advantage: $215
Standard: $325

On-site Registration
Advantage: $230
Standard: $345

Who Qualifies for Advantage Pricing?
The following people are eligible for ACWA Advantage pricing:

• Any ACWA member organization’s officers/directors.
• Any employee on an ACWA public agency member, affiliate or associate organization’s payroll.
• Any ACWA board member whose fee is paid for by a member agency.
• Any state or federal administrative or legislative personnel in elective, appointive or staffing positions.
• Staff of ACWA/JPIA, Water Education Foundation and California Water Awareness Campaign.
• Any individual or honorary life member.