(a) Any person may file a statement alleging a violation of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920) with the committee.

(b) To constitute a valid complaint, the statement shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

(1) It shall be in writing.

(2) It shall state the name of the Member of the Legislature alleged to have committed a violation.

(3) It shall set forth allegations which, if true, would constitute a violation of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920). These allegations shall be stated with sufficient clarity and detail to enable the committee to make a determination pursuant to Section 8945.

(4) It shall be signed by the complainant under penalty of perjury.

(5) It shall include a statement that the facts are true of the complainant’s own knowledge or that the complainant believes them to be true.

(c) As used in this article, the term “complaint” means a valid complaint as specified in subdivision (b).

(d) If a complaint is filed with the committee, the committee shall promptly send a copy of the complaint to the Member of the Legislature alleged to have committed the violation complained of, who shall thereafter be designated as the respondent, and the committee may send a copy of the complaint to the house in which the respondent serves, the Attorney General, the Fair Political Practices Commission, and the district attorney of the county in which the alleged violation occurred.

(e) No complaint may be filed with the committee after the expiration of 12 months from the date upon which the alleged violation occurred.

(Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 740, Sec. 6.)