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Committee considers "dark money" disclosure bill; Secretary of State and nonprofit groups warn of constitutional, practical problems
Summary
Representative Mike Schatz sponsored House Bill 1286 to require disclosure of contributors to groups spending more than $200 on election influence. The secretary of state's office and 501(c)(4) representatives said the bill raises enforceability and First Amendment issues and could be nearly impossible to administer as written.
Representative Mike Schatz, sponsor of House Bill 1286, told the Government and Veterans Affairs Committee the bill would require ‘‘covered persons’’ who spend more than $200 per election cycle to disclose donors, and would direct those records to the secretary of state's website. “Who’s trying to influence my vote? Why are they trying to influence my vote? Why are they so secretive about it?” Schatz said, calling the proposal a way to bring ‘‘dark money’’ into the light.
The bill defines covered persons broadly, including certain committees and PACs, and would give the secretary of state responsibility for investigations and…
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