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Bill

SF 828

Working group on local campaign finance reporting establishment and appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Boldon and 3 co-sponsors

Establishes a working group to study and recommend standardized local campaign finance reporting practices, aiming for clearer, more accessible data across municipalities.

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Elections
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Bill Summary · SF 828

Summary of SF 828 (2025-2026) – Working Group on Local Campaign Finance Reporting Establishment and Appropriation

Purpose and Intent

SF 828 establishes a state-level working group to study and make recommendations regarding local campaign finance reporting practices. The bill aims to improve transparency and consistency in how local campaigns report contributions and expenditures, with an emphasis on creating a structured, unified framework that could inform future statutory or administrative changes.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment of a Working Group: The bill creates a formal working group focused on local campaign finance reporting. The group’s mandate is to study current local reporting requirements and identify gaps, best practices, and potential models for standardized reporting.

  • Scope of Review:

    • Local campaign finance reporting requirements across municipalities, counties, and school districts.
    • Data elements to be reported (contributions, expenditures, committee affiliations, timing, disclosure thresholds, etc.).
    • Accessibility and usability of reported data for the public, media, and researchers.
    • Use of technology and online filing mechanisms to improve reporting efficiency and transparency.
    • Potential for standardized reporting formats, timelines, and enforcement mechanisms.

  • Membership and Structure:

    • The bill outlines the composition of the working group, including representation from the Legislature, local government officials, election administrators, and potentially public interest or oversight groups. (Exact member categories are typical, though specific names or agencies may be defined in the final language.)

  • Deliverables and Timeline:

    • The working group is tasked with producing a report with findings and recommended policy options.
    • Recommendations likely cover proposed statutes or administrative rules, implementation steps, and cost considerations.

  • Appropriations:

    • The bill includes an appropriation to fund the working group’s activities, such as staff support, expert analysis, and consultation.
    • The appropriation amount is specified in the bill (exact dollar figures would be in the enrolled language).

  • Impact on Local Entities:

    • Local election offices, campaign committees, and political action committees (PACs) would be affected insofar as any recommended changes could impose new reporting requirements, formats, or timelines.
    • Potential long-term effects include improved consistency in local campaign finance data and easier public access to information.

Affected Parties

  • Local election administrators and campaign finance reporters
  • Local candidate committees, PACs, and committees that fundraise or spend on campaigns
  • State Legislature and election law administrators (as the study group reports to them)
  • The general public, journalists, and researchers interested in campaign finance transparency

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Committee Activity: The bill has progressed through multiple committees with amendments, suggesting continued refinement before final passage.
    • March 24, 2025: Report from Committee “to pass as amended and re-refer to Elections”
    • March 3, 2025: Report “to pass as amended and re-refer to Rules and Administration”
    • February 13, 2025: Report “to pass as amended and re-refer to State and Local Government”
    • January 30, 2025: Introduction and first reading; referred to Elections
  • Legislative Path: As an early-stage bill, it would need to pass all chambers (House and Senate) and be signed by the governor to become law. The working group itself would operate during the interim or a defined period, producing a report with recommendations.

Notable Details

  • Sponsors: Co-sponsors include Liz Boldon, Lindsey Port, John Marty, and Bonnie Westlin.
  • Policy Focus: Emphasis on local campaign finance reporting practices rather than statewide campaign finance reform. The measure seeks to inform future policy by gathering expert input and data.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to specific sections of the bill (e.g., proposed membership rules, exact appropriation amount, or anticipated timeline for the working group’s deliverables) once the enrolled text is available.

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

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