Senate committee advances bill to ban fundraising during special sessions

A Senate State Affairs committee on June 21 voted to report Senate Bill 19 favorably to the full Senate; the bill would extend the same prohibitions on accepting political contributions that apply during a regular legislative session to special sessions, committee sponsor Senator Bettencourt said.

The bill, filed as a Lieutenant Governor priority measure and carried in committee by Senator Bettencourt, would bar anyone from knowingly making political contributions to a statewide officer, a member of the legislature, or a specific‑purpose committee supporting or opposing those officials during the period beginning on the date a special legislative session convenes and continuing through final adjournment of that special session. The measure also would prohibit covered officers and members from accepting political contributions during that period. “Senate bill 19 will ensure the same prohibitions in place on accepting…