SB 221

This bill makes numerous changes in the campaign financing law. The bill also

makes changes to the income tax laws, the lobbying regulation law, and the staffing

of the Government Accountability Board.

Filing of campaign finance reports

Exemptions from registration and reporting

Currently, with certain limited exceptions, any individual who accepts

contributions, makes disbursements, or incurs obligations, and any committee or

group that makes or accepts contributions, makes or transfers disbursements

(expenditures), or incurs obligations, in connection with one or more elections for

state or local office or one or more state or local referenda exceeding $25 cumulatively

within a calendar year must register and file reports with the appropriate filing

officer or agency identifying contributions received and disbursements made and

providing certain other information.

Currently, a new registrant is generally prohibited from making a contribution

or disbursement from property or funds received prior to the date of registration,

except that, if a registrant holds property or funds at the time of registration that

were not intended for political purposes in connection with an election for state or

local office at the time that they were received, the registrant may report the property

or funds as received on the date of registration and may then use the property or

funds to make a contribution or disbursement.

This bill provides that no individual who or organization which is subject to a

registration requirement may make any contribution prior to the date of

registration. In addition, the bill provides that no registrant may accept any

contribution from any individual who or organization which is subject to a

registration requirement prior to the date of registration of that individual or

organization.

Currently, a nonresident registrant need report only contributions and other

income received from sources in this state and disbursements made and obligations

incurred with respect to an election for state or local office in this state. This bill

deletes this exception to reporting requirements. The bill also requires nonresident

registrants to include in their reports a separate statement of contributions,

transfers, loans, and other income received from sources in this state and

disbursements and obligations incurred with respect to elections for state and local

office in this state. The change does not affect reporting by authorized committees

of candidates for the office of U.S. senator or representative in Congress.

Currently, a national political party committee need not file reports for any

period covered in a report filed by the committee with the Federal Election

Commission. In addition, a state political party committee which is registered with

the Federal Election Commission and which makes contributions to candidates for

national office, as well as contributions to other state political party committees,