History and Timeline
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History and Timeline
Los Angeles County's ethics laws predate the Ethics Commission by decades. The County's Lobbyist Ordinance (Los Angeles County Code Chapter 2.160) requires lobbyists to register and report their activity to the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors. Proposition B, approved by County voters in November 1996, sets contribution limits for candidates for County office and is administered by the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. County officials and employees file Statements of Economic Interests under the state Political Reform Act. Responsibility for advice, audits and enforcement has been divided among County Counsel, the Auditor-Controller, the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and the Executive Office.
On July 9, 2024, the Board of Supervisors instructed County Counsel to prepare a Charter amendment for the November 2024 ballot that would, among other reforms, require an independent Ethics Commission by 2026. On July 23, 2024, the Board unanimously approved a motion directing County Counsel to report on the creation of an Ethics Commission, an Office of Ethics Compliance and the position of Ethics Compliance Officer, and on July 30, 2024, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 2024-0043 placing the Charter amendment, Measure G, before the voters. On September 24, 2024, the Board directed County Counsel and the Chief Executive Office to analyze implementation timelines, cost scenarios and structures for the Commission and the Office; County Counsel's report, Moving Forward on Ethics Reform in Los Angeles County, was issued on October 24, 2024.
On November 5, 2024, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure G. Sections 11.68 and 11.70 of the amended County Charter require an independent Los Angeles County Ethics Commission and an Office of Ethics Compliance by 2026, and Section 11.72 requires the Board to adopt an ordinance prohibiting former County officials from lobbying the County for a minimum of two years after leaving County service. On November 26, 2024, the Board of Supervisors established the Governance Reform Task Force to guide implementation of Measure G and directed it to propose a structure for the Ethics Commission in time for the Commission to be established in 2026.
The Governance Reform Task Force convened on May 30, 2025, and formed an Ad Hoc Subcommittee on the Establishment of an Independent Ethics Commission. The Subcommittee released its draft proposal on February 11, 2026, held a community listening session on March 7, 2026, and on March 25, 2026, the Task Force approved its final recommendations and transmitted them to the Board.
On May 19, 2026, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to establish the Ethics Commission and the Office of Ethics Compliance and directed County Counsel to prepare the establishing ordinance. The ordinance was introduced on June 30, 2026, and adopted on July 7, 2026, adding Chapter 2.55, County Ethics Commission, to the Los Angeles County Code, and took effect on August 6, 2026. Applications to serve on the Commission were accepted from July 6 through July 26, 2026, and more than 370 eligible residents applied. On July 28, 2026, the Board placed Measure E, "the County of Los Angeles Ethics Commission and Community Investment Charter Amendment," on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
On September 15, 2026, the Board of Supervisors appointed the Commission's first two members, Wilma A. Franco, Ed.D., nominated by Board Chair Hilda L. Solis, and Amanda Susskind, nominated by Assessor Jeffrey Prang. On September 16, 2026, the Governance Reform Task Force selected Michael K. Woo as its nominee following public interviews with six finalists. On September 29, 2026, the Board of Supervisors appointed Mr. Woo, completing the Commission's first three appointments.
What Comes Next
The first three commissioners will nominate the Commission’s remaining four members following a public selection process. The Board of Supervisors will act on each nomination within 45 days. Once all seven members are seated, the Commission will nominate an Ethics Compliance Officer for appointment by the Board, adopt its Complaint Procedures and Penalty Guidelines after public hearings, and set its meeting calendar.
Under the County’s implementation plan, the Commission will be seated by December 31, 2026. The Ethics Compliance Officer will begin work, and the Office will add staff members in the first half of 2027. The Office will reach its full staff by mid-2028.
By December 31, 2027, the Commission will submit a draft County Ethics Code ordinance to the Board. No later than January 1, 2028, the Office of Ethics Compliance becomes the filing officer for County lobbyist registration and reports and for Statements of Economic Interests.
Beginning with fiscal year 2027–28, the County Code guarantees the Commission and the Office a minimum annual budget of $14.3 million. When the elected County Executive takes office, the Executive assumes the Task Force’s role in nominating one member of the Commission, beginning January 1, 2029.
ETHICS COMMISSION TIMELINE
1996
- County voters approve Proposition B, the County's campaign finance ordinance.
2024
- July 9: The Board of Supervisors directs County Counsel to prepare a Charter amendment including an independent Ethics Commission.
- July 23: The Board directs County Counsel to report on creating an Ethics Commission, an Office of Ethics Compliance and an Ethics Compliance Officer.
- July 30: The Board adopts Ordinance No. 2024-0043 placing Measure G on the November ballot.
- October 24: County Counsel issues Moving Forward on Ethics Reform in Los Angeles County.
- November 5: Voters approve Measure G.
- November 26: The Board establishes the Governance Reform Task Force.
2025
- May 30: The Governance Reform Task Force convenes.
- September 24 to October 9: Ethics experts brief the Task Force.
2026
- February 11: The Ethics Ad Hoc Subcommittee releases its draft proposal.
- March 7: Community listening session on the design of the Commission.
- March 25: The Task Force approves its recommendations and transmits them to the Board.
- May 19: The Board votes to establish the Ethics Commission and the Office of Ethics Compliance.
- July 6 to July 26: Application period for the inaugural Commission; more than 370 eligible applicants.
- July 7: The Board adopts the ordinance adding Chapter 2.55 to the County Code.
- July 28: The Board places Measure E on the November 3 ballot.
- August 6: The ordinance takes effect, establishing the Ethics Commission and the Office of Ethics Compliance.
- September 15: The Board appoints the first two commissioners.
- September 16: The Task Force selects its nominee.
- September 29: The Board appoints the Task Force's nominee, Michael K. Woo, and approves the first positions and funding for the Office.
- November 3: General election.
- November 10 and 17: The Board considers the ordinance adding the Office's positions to the County salary ordinance.
- October 16: First meeting of the Ethics Commission.
- The Commission nominates its remaining four members, and the Board acts on each within 45 days.
- December 31: Charter deadline for establishing the Commission and the Office. The County's implementation plan calls for a seated Commission by this date.
2027
- January to June:
- The Commission nominates one or more candidates for appointment as Ethics Compliance Officer by the Board of Supervisors.
- June 30: The initial term of the Assessor-nominated seat expires; a new nomination follows.
- July 1: Fiscal year 2027-28 begins with a guaranteed minimum budget of $14.3 million.
- December 31: Draft County Ethics Code ordinance due to the Board.
2028 and Beyond
- No later than January 1, 2028: The Office becomes the filing officer for lobbyist filings and Statements of Economic Interests.
- By June 30, 2028: The Office reaches its full staff.
- December 2028: The elected County Executive takes office; on January 1, 2029, the County Executive assumes nomination of the seat first filled by the Task Force.
- June 30 of 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031: The initial terms of the remaining seats expire on a staggered schedule (two Commission-nominated seats in 2028, the Task Force-nominated seat in 2029, the Board Chair-nominated seat in 2030, and the last two Commission-nominated seats in 2031).