Committee hears broad campaign‑finance package with training and audit requirements; release attempt falls short

Representative Eric Robinson presented HB 344 to the House Elections and Government Affairs Committee as a comprehensive campaign‑finance reform package that would tighten documentation, expand oversight and create new training requirements.

Robinson told the committee HB 344 would require candidates and treasurers to complete campaign finance training every two years, set standards for campaign committee bank accounts, tighten loan documentation and reporting (including requiring loan proceeds be deposited into the committee account within three business days), extend records retention from three to five years and expand the automatic extension for tardy reports from 24 to 48 hours. The bill would also authorize the elections commissioner to adopt regulations for political‑committee audits and require monthly reporting of alleged violations to the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust.

Sponsor Robinson said the package "will boost public confidence in the entire electoral process" and thanked the Department of Elections and the Department of Justice for their collaboration. He introduced April Yoweritz as the Delaware Elections Commissioner and said both departments had no concerns with the legislation as presented.

Members questioned how the bill would be implemented and whether it carried additional fiscal or staffing costs. Robinson and the Elections official explained a fiscal note of $1,100,000 reflects a Joint Finance Committee request for system upgrades the Department of Elections has already sought; Robinson said that requested funding is not specific to this bill but would support system changes that make the bill’s requirements feasible. Julie Fidel of the Comptroller/Controller office said the fiscal note would not add funding beyond the budget ask except for potential ongoing maintenance fees.

Members also pressed for practical details: what documentation candidates must keep under a five‑year rule, how loans would be documented and repaid or forgiven, how late‑filing fines are collected, and how training would be delivered. Elections staff said documentation requirements will be more structured than current law, collection efforts for serial non‑filers have increased and training is expected to be primarily online with in‑person options.

House Attorney Liba Kauffman told the committee clarifying the budget relationship was more appropriate for conversation with the Comptroller/Comptroller General’s office and not via an amendment to the bill text.

There were no public commenters on HB 344. A motion to release the bill was put to roll call. Recorded votes were yes: Representative Volley, Representative Morrison and Representative Zedsky; no: Representative York; several members were absent. The chair said the bill did not have the votes required for release and that the sponsor intends to "walk" the bill to secure additional support before bringing it back for consideration.

Because the committee did not release HB 344, its proposed requirements remain under committee consideration pending further action.