Committee clears SB290 substitute to require proof of bar standing for AG and DA candidates at filing

Senate Bill 290 (first substitute) was favorably recommended by the Senate Government Operations Committee on Feb. 24 after sponsors said the measure would prevent confusion that emerged during last year's attorney-general primary.

Senator Pitcher, the sponsor, described the bill as a response to a problem where a primary candidate for attorney general was later discovered not to have been in good-standing status with the bar at the time of the election filing. He said SB290 (first substitute) requires candidates for attorney general and for district attorney to satisfy one of three conditions when filing: provide a bar license number plus a letter from the bar or the Supreme Court confirming good standing; provide proof to the elections office that they have applied to the state bar and will remedy licensing issues by the time of the election; or provide an affidavit explaining how they will be in good standing by election day.

Ryan Cowley from the Lieutenant Governor's office (director of elections) testified in support, saying the substitute "fixes some of the concerns" the office had and that putting the burden on the candidate at filing gives voters clarity about constitutional qualifications. Committee members offered no substantive objections and the motion to favorably recommend the substitute passed on voice vote, recorded by the chair as 4-0.

The substitute language moves to the next Senate stage with a committee recommendation. The committee did not record roll-call names for the vote in the transcript; sponsors waived further summation.