Committee approves narrower disclosure of lingering tax liens and convictions, 7–3
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Summary
The committee voted 7–3 to favorably recommend HB 446 as amended, which adds disclosure of unresolved tax liens older than two years and certain convictions to routine conflict-of-interest filings; proponents argued it protects integrity, while public comment warned it could deter grassroots candidates.
The sponsor presented HB 446 to add two items to existing annual conflict-of-interest disclosures: unresolved tax liens and criminal convictions (excluding traffic, juvenile, and expunged records). The stated purpose was to help voters know more about candidates and appointees and to preserve the integrity of those serving in office.
Committee members raised practical questions about candidates who operate businesses across multiple jurisdictions and how frequently disclosures would need updating. Representative McPherson proposed an amendment narrowing the requirement to tax liens "unresolved for more than two years" and tying disclosure to liens where the officeholder is personally liable or that encumber property the officeholder owns; the sponsor supported the change.
Seth Stewart, a public commenter, urged the committee to oppose the measure, saying mandatory disclosure could be used politically to dig up dirt and could impose financial or reputational barriers for grassroots challengers. The sponsor responded that the online form contains space for explanations and that existing penalties for failure to disclose remain in place.
The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and later voted to recommend HB 446 as amended to the full House; the transcript records the committee vote as 7–3.
