03/08/1995 01:15 PM House JUD

 HJUD - 03/08/95                                                               
 CSHB 13 - CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE REPORTS                                       
                                                                               
 JEFF LOGAN, Legislative Assistant to Representative Joe Green,                
 introduced HB 13.  Sponsor Statement:                                         
                                                                              
 "HB 13 makes it easier for the public to know who is contributing             
 money to non-party candidates for statewide office.                           
                                                                               
 "Problem:  Currently, non-party candidates for legislative office             
 who gain access to the general election ballot by going through the           
 petition or write-in process are not required to file campaign                
 finance disclosure reports during the primary election cycle.                 
 Alaska Public Office Commission Policy Decision 15.13-82-2 sets               
 requirements for these candidates.                                            
                                                                               
 "The Commission has ruled that non-party candidates, groups formed            
 to influence the outcome of ballot issues not appearing on the                
 primary ballot, and political party subdivisions and multi-                   
 candidate PAC's which do not make expenditures to benefit a                   
 candidate on the primary ballot "...need not file either Primary or           
 General Election reports so long as their only activity during                
 those reporting periods is the receipt of contributions or the                
 expenditures of funds for administrative purposes.                            
                                                                               
 "When a campaign-related expenditure is made, the reporting cycle             
 is triggered.  Until that time, the public has no idea who is                 
 contributing money to non-party candidates.                                   
                                                                               
 "Solution:  HB 13 requires prospective non-party candidates for               
 legislative offices to disclose to the public, during the primary             
 election reporting cycle, who is making campaign contributions to             
 them."                                                                        
                                                                               
 Number 240                                                                    
                                                                               
 BROOKE MILES, Juneau Branch Administrator, Alaska Public Offices              
 Commission, Department of Administration,  explained why there was            
 a positive fiscal note, originally.  The existing language in the             
 draft required all individuals who had a letter of intent on file,            
 including people who were going to run for municipal office, to               
 file reports during the primary cycle.  Instead of an estimated 20            
 additional reports, this would generate something like an                     
 additional 300 reports.  There is a zero fiscal note on the State             
 Affairs committee substitute, however.  The Alaska Public Offices             
 Commission supports this legislation.                                         
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE made a motion to move CSHB 13 (STA) with             
 individual recommendations and the zero fiscal note.                          
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE AL VEZEY objected.  There was a discussion on                  
 existing requirements for filing by nominating petition and by                
 general election ballot.  Representative Vezey then removed his               
 objection.                                                                    
                                                                               
 After no further discussion or objection, the bill moved.