Campaign Finance Documents
Air Date:01/25/2012
The House State Affairs Committee passed a bill that prohibits anyone from being a candidate for office if they fail to file certain campaign finance documents. Currently, anyone who doesn't file their finance reports by the deadline faces a $50 per day fine, up to $3,000. Representative Jon Hansen from Dell Rapids says currently some candidates choose to pay the fine rather than file their finance report, or choose not to pay the fine.
"And this really does a major disservice to the public and it is a great hindrance of open government," Hansen says. "So House Bill 1112 puts some real teeth into the law and it ensures that these reports are filed and the public is properly informed."
Opponents say there are some issues in the measure that need to be clarified. The committee passed the bill by a vote of nine to four, with a recommendation that it be amended on the House floor.
By Jenifer Jones
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