Panel backs electronic filing for campaign finance reports, reports bill 16–10

The House State Government Committee reported House Bill 1262 by Chairman Briggs, which would require campaign finance reports and statements filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth to be submitted electronically. The committee adopted an amendment (A02827) to reformat the definition of nonprofit organizations and reported the bill by a 16–10 vote.

Chairman Briggs described a long history of efforts to require electronic filing and argued the change would improve transparency, reduce staff time spent keying paper filings, and allow the public more timely access to contribution and expenditure data.

“I think it should be much more accessible to the public to know who’s giving to us and our opponents,” Briggs said during his remarks, and he noted waivers could be available for filers in communities lacking broadband.

Chairman Roy opposed the mandate on access grounds, saying some filers lack computer skills or internet and questioned how waivers would be administered. Representative Diamond called the bill a step in the right direction and urged even stronger measures—universal electronic filing and more frequent reporting—while Representative Waxman said mandatory electronic filing would improve transparency for voters.

Representative Walsh asked for current statistics on how many filers already use electronic reporting; Briggs said the Department of State could provide updated figures.

After the amendment to the nonprofit definition was agreed, the committee took a recorded vote and reported the bill 16–10.