File a Behested Payment Report - California Form 803

A donation is considered "made at the behest (request)" of an elected official if the official has control over it, asks for it, helps plan it, agrees to it, or works with others to make it happen. Most commonly, this happens when an official asks a company to give money to a nonprofit organization.

Elected officials only need to fill out Form 803 if they raise $5,000 or more in total from one person or group during a calendar year. They must submit the form within 30 days after the total amount from that source adds up to $5,000 or more. This form helps make sure the public knows about these donations.

For example, if an elected official asks a local company to give $10,000 to a charity that helps the community, and the company agrees, this is called a behested payment. If the company gives more than $5,000 in total during the same year, the official has to fill out a Form 803 within 30 days of the donation.

Elected officials can fill out and file Form 803 online using the PEC’s filing system below. They should also print a copy of the completed form to keep for their records.

No, there’s no limit to how much someone can donate to charity if an elected official asks them to. But if one person gives more than $5,000 total in a year, it has to be reported.