Bill would require unique URLs for campaign finance reports; COPP flags database rewrite and cost concerns

Representative Lucas Schubert told the committee House Bill 383 would require the Commissioner of Political Practices' SIRS reporting system to provide a unique URL for each campaign finance report or search result so users can link directly to records. "It stands in the way of transparency, whereas if we are able to link directly to them, that's just simply more transparent," he said.

Kim Trujillo, a compliance specialist supervisor for the COPP, appeared as an informational witness and said the agency had not yet scoped an implementation plan. She explained the SIRS user interface can be updated but the underlying database that stores all filings could require significant work to avoid performance or stability problems. Trujillo said COPP would work with the sponsor but cautioned about rewrite costs and data‑storage risks.

Representative Schubert said he believed the change would not require creating a new database and disputed a fiscal note estimate of about $90,000; he said the change may require just URL‑mapping modifications rather than wholesale data rearchitecture. Committee members asked COPP to engage with fiscal staff to refine a cost estimate.

The hearing closed with agreement to work on technical details between the sponsor, COPP and fiscal staff.

Next steps: COPP and sponsor to clarify technical approach and fiscal impacts before further committee action.