Requirements of short term insurance plans.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Fady Qaddoura

Senate Bill 165 requires Alabama candidates to file financial interest statements within five days of candidacy deadlines, boosting transparency and public trust in elections.

Authored by Senator Qaddoura

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Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 165 aims to revise the filing requirements for statements of economic interests for candidates running for public office in Alabama. The bill seeks to enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process by ensuring that candidates disclose their financial interests in a timely manner.

Key Provisions

Filing Deadline Changes:

Candidates must file their statements of economic interests not more than five days after the deadline to file their candidacy, rather than the previous requirement of five days after filing qualifying papers.
For independent candidates, the deadline is adjusted to not more than five days after the first primary election.

Previous Filings:

If a candidate has already filed a statement for reasons other than their candidacy, they are only required to provide proof of that filing to the State Ethics Commission, rather than submitting a new statement.

Affected Sections:

The bill amends Sections 36-25-14 and 36-25-15 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which govern the filing of statements of economic interests.

Who Would Be Affected

Candidates: All individuals running for public office at the state, county, or municipal levels will be required to comply with the new filing deadlines.

State Ethics Commission: The commission will oversee the implementation of these changes and manage the filings.

Public Transparency: The bill is designed to benefit voters and the public by providing timely access to candidates' financial disclosures.

Procedural Aspects

Current Status: As of April 8, 2025, SB 165 has been read for the second time and placed on the calendar for further consideration by the Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee.

Introduced Date: The bill was introduced on June 11, 2025, and has undergone several readings and amendments since its introduction.

Fiscal Impact: According to fiscal notes, the bill is not expected to directly affect state or local funding.

Conclusion

Senate Bill 165 represents a significant step towards improving the integrity of the electoral process in Alabama by ensuring that candidates disclose their economic interests in a timely manner. The adjustments to filing deadlines and requirements aim to enhance public trust in elected officials and candidates.

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