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Bill

S 5234

Relates to electronic financial disclosures of members and candidates of the legislature and requires creation of electronic version of disclosure statement

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie

Requires electronic disclosures for legislators and candidates and creates an electronic version of disclosure statements for public access.

REFERRED TO ETHICS AND INTERNAL GOVERNANCE
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Bill Summary · S 5234

Summary of Bill S 5234

Bill number: S 5234
Title: Relates to electronic financial disclosures of members and candidates of the legislature and requires creation of electronic version of disclosure statement
Sponsor: Leroy Comrie (primary)
Introduced: February 20, 2025
Status: Referred to Ethics and Internal Governance

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to modernize and improve transparency around financial disclosures by requiring electronic filings for members and candidates of the legislature.
  • It also requires the creation of an electronic version of the disclosure statement, signaling a move away from or alongside traditional paper disclosures toward digital access.

Key Provisions (as indicated by title and status)

  • Mandate electronic financial disclosures for legislators and legislative candidates.
  • Require the creation of an electronic (digital) version of the disclosure statement, to be used for public access and oversight.
  • Placement in committee: The bill has been referred to the Ethics and Internal Governance committee, indicating a focus on ethics and governance processes.

Note: The specific mechanics (e.g., submission deadlines, format standards, display platform, security measures, data retention, transition timelines) are not detailed in the provided information.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Primary: Members of the legislature and candidates for legislative office.
  • The bill would involve the ethics and governance framework that handles disclosure requirements, filings, and oversight.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Introduced on February 20, 2025.
  • Immediately referred to the Ethics and Internal Governance committee (listed twice in the provided actions, indicating routine committee referral).
  • No further legislative actions (e.g., committee reports, floor votes) are listed in the provided material.

Related Legislation

  • Prior-session Senate bills: S 5477, S 979, S 1473, S 3544.
  • Companion bill: A 2467 (listed as a companion to S 5234).

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Transparency: By enabling electronic disclosures and an electronic version of the disclosure statement, public accessibility to financial disclosure information could improve.
  • Administration: Implementation would require developing or adopting an electronic filing/storage system and defining procedures for maintenance and public access.
  • Privacy and security: As with any electronic disclosures, considerations around data security, access controls, and protection of sensitive information would be relevant (though specifics are not provided here).
  • Fiscal/operational: Possible costs associated with creating and hosting an electronic disclosure system and training for filers and staff.

How to Follow

  • Monitor updates from the Ethics and Internal Governance committee for hearings, amendments, and votes.
  • Check for related actions on companion/related bills (S 5477, S 979, S 1473, S 3544, A 2467) for cross-filed movement or harmonization.

This summary reflects the information available as of the introduced date; additional details may be released as the bill progresses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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