HCS SB 689 -- ETHICS

SPONSOR:  Scott (May)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 9 to 2.

This substitute changes the laws regarding lobbyist reporting
requirements and campaign contribution disclosures for public
officials.

"Elected local government official lobbyists," defined as persons
specifically employed for the purpose of influencing local
officials in counties, cities, towns, or villages with an
operating budget of over $10 million, are required to meet the
same reporting requirements as those who lobby state officials.

Lobbyist are required to file reports of lobbying activities no
later than January 5 of each year or within five days after
beginning lobbying activities.

Certain candidates for elective office are required to file
financial interest statements no later than March 31 or within 10
days of filing for office, whichever is later, for the preceding
calendar year.  Candidates for election in April will file the
statements by January 31 for the preceding calendar year.
Candidates nominated by a political caucus will file the
statements within 10 days of nomination.  The Missouri Ethics
Commission will be the filing officer in any case where no filing
officer is designated for the filing of a financial interest
statement.  Any document postmarked by midnight of the day
designated for filing will be deemed as timely filed.

Notice requirements are also revised regarding the assessment of
late fees by the commission.  Individuals may appeal commission
actions to the circuit court of Cole County instead of the
Administrative Hearing Commission.

Every committee which is required to file a statement of
organization may exclude bank account numbers when the report is
filed with an officer other than the commission.  All records of
committee receipts and expenditures will be available for
inspection by the commission instead of the current campaign
finance review board.  Written reports are not required for any
candidate whose officer for filing is the commission if the
report is filed electronically with the commission.

The substitute reorganizes sections of law regarding reporting
requirements for out-of-state committees and for candidates
nominated by a political party committee.  Currently, a
continuing committee is required to file electronic reports if
the committee makes contributions of more than $15,000.  The
substitute changes the amount to $5,000 and includes political
party committees and campaign committees.

An individual who seeks nomination to a public office by
nomination of a political party committee will be subject to
campaign finance disclosure requirements, with certain changes
regarding the reporting dates.  A section of law that requires
the commission to print a summary of all laws over which the
commission has enforcement power is repealed.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Income on General Revenue Fund of $10,000
in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.  No impact on Other State Funds
in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is a necessary and
useful tool for regulating lobbying activities.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Scott.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the registration
of local government lobbyists could inadvertently make a large
number of unsuspecting citizens criminals.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Municipal League.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that it makes needed
technical changes to the election laws.

Others testifying on the bill was Missouri Ethics Commission.

Jason Glahn, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:46 am