Human Resources Service Center

Form 700 Introduction

The Political Reform Act requires certain state employees and officials who serve in positions designated in an agency’s conflict-of-interest code to file a Statement of Economic Interest [Form 700]. Most "designated positions" at Chico State have some fiscal responsibility (for example, the ability to purchase items using state funds).

If you have been notified that you are in a designated position (e.g., procurement card holder, department chair, program manager, etc.) and/or need to complete a Form 700, your statement is due 1) within 30 days of assuming office, 2) by April 1 of each year, and 3) when leaving the designated position. Form 700's are only accepted through the CSU's eDisclosure system and paper forms are no longer accepted. The system will notify you when a form is due.

Steps:

  1. Watch Form 700 - figuring out what to report(opens in new window) by the CSU Chancellor's Office (10 min). 
  2. Watch eDisclosure's Form 700 overview for filers(opens in new window) by SouthTech to understand how filers will use the electronic Form 700 filing system (5 min).
  3. Look for an email from Southtech Hosting providing information about your filing requirements and a link to file your Form 700 electronically.  

Important Tips:

  • CSU Position Title: Designated positions are groups or families of positions and may differ from your position's actual working title.
  • Disclosure Categories: You will be assigned one or more categories to report on within the system. The  CSU Disclosure Categories (PDF) limit your reportable interests; please be careful to only report on your assigned categories

If you have any questions about this process, please Teams Chat(opens in new window) our staff with questions or email form700@csuchico.edu

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  • What is the purpose?
    • The Form 700 process alerts employees to potential conflicts of interests (COI) and reminds them how to prevent a COI.
    • It helps employees identify if they have a reportable source using the CSU Disclosure Categories for their Designated Position.
    • And...it's required by state law and enforced by California's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
  • What to Report

    Different employees have different levels of responsibility for state funds, property, etc. What you need to report on--called a disclosure category--is increased or decreased based on your level of responsibility and potential impact. The Form 700 - figuring out what to report(opens in new window) video will explain this in more detail. Remember, the CSU Disclosure Categories limit what you need to report. Please only report on those areas.

    After watching the video, these resources may be helpful:

  • Who Must File

    Each state and local agency (including the University) must adopt a conflict of interest code tailoring the disclosure requirements for each position within the agency to the types of governmental decisions a person holding that position would make. Each University employee in a designated position is required to file a Form 700 and disclose personal financial interests in accordance with the positions assigned disclosure categories. These may include disclosure of:

    • Investments in business entities (e.g., stock holdings, owning a business, a partnership)
    • Interests in real estate (real property)
    • Sources of personal income, including gifts, loans and travel payments
    • Positions of management or employment with business entities

    Unpaid members of boards and commissions and consultants to state and local government agencies also may be required to disclose their personal financial interests if they make or participate in making governmental decisions that could affect their private financial interests.

  • Timeline and Tracking

    If you have been notified that you are in a designated position (e.g., procurement card holder, department chair, program manager, etc.) and/or need to complete a Form 700, your statement is due:

    • within 30 days of assuming the designated position [assuming office],
    • by April 1 of each year and covering the prior tax year (Jan - Dec) [annual reporting], and
    • when leaving the designated position [leaving office].

    Form 700's are only accepted through the CSU's eDisclosure system and paper forms are no longer accepted. The system will notify you when a form is due.

  • Important Information to Employees who fail to submit the Form 700 by the due date

    Employees who fail to submit the Form 700 by the due date may be assessed a fine in accordance with FPPC regulations. Employees who fail to disclose material interests are personally liable and may be subject to a personal penalty (such as fines, and potential civil and criminal penalties).

  • Online Training

    If you have not already completed the CSU's Avoiding Conflicts of Interest (ethics) online course, you will be emailed a training notice. The notice will link you to the campus training system ( CSU Learn). 

    The Training System will automatically remind you to complete this training every two years, by October 1. If you have completed CSU COI training in the last 2 years, you will not need to complete it again until just prior to the training’s expiration date.

  • Resources
    1. CSU Disclosure Categories (PDF) 
    2. Campus Designated Positions List(opens in new window)
    3. Frequently Asked Questions: Form Disclosure (PDF) (rev. 10/2023) 
      • Provides a list of frequently asked questions that are often asked to FPPC by employees completing Form 700. Frequently asked questions regarding gift disclosure are also included.
    4. 2023-2024 Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests Reference Pamphlet  (PDF)
      • Provides information to assist employees in designated positions on how to complete their Form 700.
    5. Limitations and Restrictions on Gifts, Honoraria, Travel and Loans Fact Sheet (PDF) (rev. 10/2023)
      • This fact sheet summarizes the major provisions concerning gifts, honoraria, travel and loans. The aggregate limitation on gifts, which is indexed for inflation every two years, is $590 (2023-2024) from a single source in a calendar year. 
    6. Conflict of Interest Handbook (PDF)
      • This handbook prepared by the CSU Office of General Counsel profiles information on conflict statues.
    7. CSU Form 700 Demo and Tutorial(opens in new window)

Questions?

If you have a question regarding specific situations, please call the California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) toll-free at 866-275-3772 or visit their website(opens in new window).

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