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Committee approves bill to require electronic campaign finance reporting
Summary
The State Government Committee voted 16–10 to report House Bill 1262, which would require candidates to file campaign finance reports electronically while allowing waivers in areas without broadband and permitting surplus funds to be given to nonprofits under an amendment.
Chair Briggs presented House Bill 1262, saying the measure "simply is requiring electronic campaign finance reporting" and that it would make filings "much more accessible to the public." He described a waiver process for filers in areas with limited broadband and said an amendment would allow surplus campaign funds to be donated to nonprofit organizations.
A committee member urged a no vote, arguing a mandate could unfairly burden filers who lack computer access or skills. "Some people are just more comfortable doing things on paper rather than electronically," the committee member said, adding concern about how waivers would be determined.
Representative Dimon told the committee he supported the bill but said it should go farther: "We ought to require every candidate for public office to file electronically" and move to rolling online reporting with seven‑day disclosure windows. Representative Waxman also urged support, calling the bill a "measure of transparency" that would let the public see campaign finance information faster.
Representative Walsh asked for current data on electronic filings; Chair Briggs said his recollection was that "more than half" filed electronically a decade ago and that the Department of State could provide updated figures.
After brief closing procedure, the committee held a roll call vote on the bill as amended. The bill passed and will be reported out of committee by a vote of 16 to 10.
The committee did not set a timeline for further floor action; House Bill 1262 will be carried forward according to legislative scheduling and the Department of State was identified as the agency to provide filing‑rate data upon request.
