The San Diego City Council’s Rules Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to direct staff to begin drafting a proposed ethics reform package aimed at lobbyists and dark money.

As proposed by Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera, the so-called “Follow the Money Ordinance” would increase transparency on lobbying efforts that could influence City Hall decisions.

Current disclosure rules “do not fully capture modern influence campaigns, including paid mailers, texts, digital ads, mass communications, and other outside spending designed to shape public opinion and pressure elected officials on city decisions,” Elo-Rivera’s office said.

Under the proposal, groups or individuals spending $1,000 or more to influence a municipal decision would be required to file a disclosure report with the City Clerk within 24 hours. The current limit is $5,000 before disclosure is legally required.

The proposal would prohibit elected city officeholders and candidates for city office from accepting campaign contributions from registered lobbyists.

The ordinance would also require covered communications to identify top funders and disclose when AI-generated or AI-altered content is used.

Elo-Rivera said local government “should work for every San Diegan,” not just those with money.

While the influence of money in politics has been around for decades, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United v. FEC ruling made the situation worse, he added.

“We have to look at role of money in all of our politics,” he said. “People already believe the game is rigged, because it is.”

“… The powerful lobbyists paid to work City Hall shouldn’t be funding the campaigns of the very officials they’re lobbying,” Elo-Rivera said. “The county banned that. The state banned that. It’s time San Diego did too.”

Councilman Raul Campillo said the proposed ordinance  “is a really necessary step forward,” noting distrust in government is at an all-time high.

Several residents offered their support during the committee meeting’s public comment period. Several members of the activist group Youth Will said the measure was necessary to fight growing apathy among young voters and increase their turnout.

The proposed ordinance now moves to the full City Council for review and consideration.