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HomeGovernment CodeCh. 7Art. 1§ 87104 Public Official Conflict Rules

§ 87104 Public Official Conflict Rules

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 87104 Public Official Conflict Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •If you work for the government, you can't get paid to help someone else talk to or influence your own agency.
  • •This rule applies to things like contracts, permits, or licenses—anything where someone wants a decision from the government.
  • •Even if you're just giving advice or talking casually, you can't do it for money if it's about influencing your agency.
  • •This rule also covers people who work on advisory groups for the government, unless they're representing their own employer (like another government agency).

Example

A person who works at the Department of Transportation gets paid by a construction company to help them win a road-building contract.

This is not allowed because the worker is using their government job to help a company get a contract, which is against the rules.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 87104 Public Official Conflict Rules

(a) A public official of a state agency shall not, for compensation, act as an agent or attorney for, or otherwise represent, any other person by making any formal or informal appearance before, or any oral or written communication to, the official’s state agency or any officer or employee thereof, if the appearance or communication is for the purpose of influencing a decision on a contract, grant, loan, license, permit, or other entitlement for use. (b) For purposes of this section, “public official” includes a member, officer, employee, or consultant of an advisory body to a state agency, whether the advisory body is created by statute or otherwise, except when the public official is representing the official’s employing state, local, or federal agency in an appearance before, or communication to, the advisory body. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 196. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

contractbenefitsemployeeemployerlicenseappearancecommunicationinfluence

Related Statutes

  • § 87406 Post-Legislative Lobbying Ban
  • § 87408 Post-Employment Representation Restrictions
  • § 19584 Employee Reinstatement And Back Pay
  • § 19996.19 Flexible Work For Caregivers
  • § 87100.1 Consultant Conflict Exemption

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 87104.
View Official Source