CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 119(FIN)(efd fld) "An Act authorizing the Alaska Public Offices Commission to issue advisory opinions; amending campaign financial disclosure and reporting requirements, campaign contribution limits, provisions related to contributions after elections, and provisions related to unused campaign contributions; providing for expedited consideration of, and modifying procedures for determining, violations of state election campaign laws; amending the time period within which to file an administrative complaint of a violation of state election campaign laws; amending the definitions of 'express communication' and 'political party' for state election campaigns; amending the registration fee for lobbyists; providing for increased use of electronic filing for reports to the Alaska Public Offices Commission; adding a definition of 'commission' in the regulation of lobbying laws; amending the requirements for the reporting of financial interests by public officials; adding a definition of 'domestic partner' in the legislative ethics code and in the public official financial disclosure requirements; allowing classified employees to take an active part in political party management; and making conforming amendments." BROOK MILES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA PUBLIC OFFICE COMMISSION (APOC), testified via teleconference and provided information on the bill. The bill provides important tools for the Commission in obtaining its mission to ensure accountability of candidates, public officials, and lobbyists to the public. The legislation provides the foundation for mandatory electronic filings under all four laws administered by the Commission. Section 17, codifies the way the Commission processes complaints. Under the new procedures, most complaints, should reach their final disposition no more than 90 days after the complaint is filed. An expedited complaint process would be initiated. Verified complaints could endanger the results of an election. The bill gives the Commission authority for cease and desist orders and allows the Commission to issue advisory opinions (a process the Commission has practiced since the mid 1980's). The Commission's authority to issue advisory opinions has been in question. This tool provides requestors clarification and allows them to avoid complaints. The legislation increases limits under campaign disclosure, changes reporting under campaign disclosure and increases the reporting threshold under the financial disclosure law. Under the changes, individuals may contribute up to $1,000 to candidates or political action committees and up to $10,000 to a political party. TAPE HFC 03 - 99, Side B  Ms. Miles added that the bill changes the method of reporting. She discussed current reporting methods, and indicating that the original intent was for total disclosure. Under the current SFIN version, campaigns would report the aggregate figure for those contributors that give less than $100 dollars. She observed that the original proposal was for full disclosure, with all contributors identified by their names and addresses (regardless of amount), unless the contribution was the result of an exempt fund raising activity. Names and addresses would be reported for contributions over $100 but under $250. Contributions of over $250 would require a detail report: name, address, occupation and employer. The amount for exempt campaigns would change from $2,500 to $5,000; fewer people would be required to disclose at the municipal level. The requirement for candidates to file 10-days after the election was deleted. The reporting period for year-end disclosure was expanded. Candidate filings on February 15, the year after the election, would include all campaign costs. Under the current provisions the public must wait another calendar year for this information. Ms. Miles noted that the legislation removes the restriction, which prevents candidates that are unopposed on the general election from raising money 45-days after the primary election. These candidates would be allowed, as all other candidates, to raise funds until 45-days after the general election ballot. She noted that the current provision proved unworkable. She noted that Section 18 redefined express communication, enabling issue advocacy to be dealt with differently. Issue advocacy that is clearly to support or oppose a candidate would be subject to the campaign disclosure law and would be an important tool for the Commission. She added that lobbyist registration fees had been increased from $100 to $250 per client per year. This is the first increase since they were enacted in 1990. The reporting threshold for legislators and public officials to disclose sources of income was raised from $1,000 to $10,000. Disclosing stock holdings is streamlined by exempting stock interest of less than $10,000 per public or trading company. ROGER SHANNON, KENAI, testified via teleconference and emphasized the public importance of APOC. He suggested that the APOC should receive proper funding. AUDREE MCCLOUD, testified via teleconference against raising the contribution limit. She maintained that the increase would limit competition and bar entry, and questioned the need for the increase. Co-Chair Williams concluded public testimony. CSSB 119 (FIN) HELD in Committee for further consideration.