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Subcommittee rejects proposal to change venue for prosecuting campaign finance violations
Summary
The subcommittee declined to report HB 1576, which sought to clarify venue and reporting for prosecuting campaign finance violations; the motion to report failed on a recorded vote, 3-5.
The Privileges and Elections Subcommittee voted 3-5 against reporting HB 1576, a bill sponsored by Delegate Cherry that would clarify venue and procedures for investigating and prosecuting campaign finance violations.
Delegate Cherry told the committee the bill "simply provides a venue for investigation and prosecution of campaign finance violations," and argued the change was needed after the recent election season. Supporters including Nancy Morgan of Money Out Virginia and Wes Gobar of Clean Virginia testified the measure would restore public confidence and address alleged gaps in prosecution.
Kari Anderson, speaking for the League of Women Voters of Virginia, urged the committee to adopt the bill and recommended that the state board of elections report alleged violations to the attorney general or, in cases involving the attorney general, to the Supreme Court of Virginia. Anderson said the League supports measures that limit undue influence from vested interests.
The committee took a recorded electronic vote; the clerk announced the result as 3 in favor and 5 opposed, and Delegate Cherry's bill "fails to report on a vote of 3 to 5." The record shows a motion to report was made and seconded prior to the roll call.
Committee members did not adopt the bill; no amendments or follow-up directions were recorded on the subcommittee floor at the time of the vote.
