Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics And Campaign Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee gives favorable report to bill standardizing economic-interest filing deadlines
Summary
The Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee voted to report favorably on Senate Bill 165, which would align candidate filing windows for annual statements of economic interest and allow government employees to submit proof of prior filings rather than complete a second form.
The Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee gave a favorable report to Senate Bill 165 during its meeting, advancing a measure that would standardize deadlines for filing annual statements of economic interest and accept proof of filing from government employees in lieu of submitting a second report.
Senator Coleman Madison, who presented the bill, said the proposal is intended to reduce confusion over filing dates. Madison said the bill would require most candidates to file their statements “not more than 5 days after the deadline that they're filing” and would require independent candidates to file “within 5 days after the first primary.” She also said the bill would allow persons who work in government to provide proof to the commission that they have already filed a statement of economic interest rather than filing a duplicate statement.
The measure’s sponsor characterized the change as a way to “bring some consistency” to filing requirements. A member of the committee recalled prior cases in which candidates missed deadlines or filed at the wrong time, which led to disqualification. Representative Jackson moved for a favorable report; Representative Travis seconded the motion. The committee advanced the bill by voice vote after the vice chair called the roll and members answered in the affirmative. The clerk recorded the motion as carried by voice vote.
Committee discussion was brief. Senator Madison described the bill as a short, procedural change tied to the start of the annual filing season; other members spoke in support, noting past confusion when filing dates differed. No amendments were proposed during the committee session recorded in the transcript.
The bill was described in the meeting as a companion to a House measure and as having an emergency designation with a request attached; the transcript did not provide the House bill number nor further details about the emergency request.
Next steps were not specified in the recorded remarks. The committee adjourned shortly after the vote.
