AB 196

Currently, under the campaign finance law, with limited exceptions, an

individual who or committee that makes disbursements (expenditures for political

purposes) must register with the appropriate filing officer or agency. With limited

exceptions, a registrant is required to file regular and special reports containing

specified information pertaining to financial activity. The law also regulates the

extent to which corporations and cooperatives, including unincorporated cooperative

associations, may make disbursements.

Currently, the Government Accountability Board (GAB) may promulgate rules

interpreting or implementing specific statutes regulating the conduct of elections or

election campaigns or ensuring the proper administration of these statutes. This bill

prohibits GAB from promulgating any rule: 1) affecting the authority of a

corporation or cooperative, whether or not incorporated, to make any disbursement

independently of a candidate who is supported or opposed or any agent or authorized

committee of such a candidate; or 2) imposing any registration, reporting, filing,

accounting, treasury, or fee payment requirement or any attribution requirement in

making communications upon any person, including any organization, apart from

the requirements imposed under the campaign finance law.

This bill is introduced as required by s. 227.19 (5) (e), stats. in support of the

objection of the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules to the

promulgation of rules under proposed Clearinghouse Rule CR 10-087 by GAB.