Senate advances election-disclosure bill that would require registration for new political groups and a voluntary candidate pledge

Senator Mansell presented the second substitute to SB 55 as a two-part election reform effort: a voluntary candidate 'clean campaign' pledge and an expanded disclosure regime. The disclosure component would require PACs, political issue committees and corporations created within 90 days of an election (and that receive or disburse more than a threshold amount) to register annually and list at least two officers with contact information, aiming to prevent so-called "ghost" or transient groups from hiding behind dissolved entities.

The sponsor described the pledge as voluntary and intended to encourage candidates to avoid rhetoric that appeals to "negative prejudices based on race, gender, religion, national origin" and similar categories. Senator McCoy proposed and the Senate adopted an amendment to add the phrasing "a candidate's" before the listed personal characteristics and to insert "sexual orientation" (with a comma) among protected categories; the amendment was adopted and the Senate accepted the amended substitute.

Several senators warned about enforcement timing and the risk that enforcement actions may not resolve before an election; the sponsor confirmed the pledge is voluntary and noted criminal penalties in the statute apply only to intentionally and knowingly false or deceptive filings for the disclosure requirements, and that drafting cleanups would be made to ensure the mens rea language applies appropriately.

The Senate ordered the second substitute to third reading by recorded vote (26 yes, 0 nays, recorded in the transcript for the motion to read). The record shows the chosen approach emphasizes transparency of sponsors and officers for groups engaging in election activity, while leaving the pledge voluntary and subject to political—not criminal—enforcement in most circumstances.