2007 House Bill 4415

Expand campaign finance regulations

Introduced in the House

March 6, 2007

Introduced by Rep. Chris Ward (R-66)

To revise the state campaign finance disclosure law to require non-profit "527" organizations to follow the same disclosure rules as a PACs, and prohibit them from making a campaign contribution or an independent expenditure for an "electioneering communication;" ban corporate, union, and Indian tribe contributions for independent expenditures on an "electioneering communication;" make the exchange of corporate, union, or Indian tribe money in return for a campaign contribution a felony; ban "soft money" contributions or expenditures by a union or corporation for an "electioneering communication;" and limit the amount a person can give a political party to $50,000. “Electioneering communication” would be defined as a communication that clearly identifies a candidate made 30 days before a primary and 60 before a general election. Passed in the House (56 to 50) on September 13, 2006, to revise the state campaign finance disclosure law to require non-profit "527" organizations to follow the same disclosure rules as a PACs; and require these disclosures (including amount spent and who contributed the money) for “electioneering communications,” defined as ones that clearly identify a candidate or ballot issue, and that are made 30 days before a primary and 60 before a general election.

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics