Malden Lawmaker Joins House to Pass Bills on Campaign Finance, Disclosure Regulations

From the Massachusetts House of Representatives:

BOSTON – Representative Steve Ultrino (D-Malden) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass three bills related to campaign finance and disclosure regulations which will update, strengthen and close a loophole in existing law.

“Upholding an open and functional democracy requires constant vigilance when it comes to campaign finance laws,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “I’m pleased that the 2014 bipartisan task force was able to make timely and comprehensive recommendations, and I look forward to the benefits these laws will bring about.”

“We need to ensure that there is transparency towards election funding to the public,” said Representative Steve Ultrino. “When we eliminate loopholes in the law, we can assure people that the elections they vote in are fair, honest, and will maintain the dignity of a representative democracy.”

· “An act enhancing disclosure requirements for expenditures made to support or oppose candidates by certain political committees”

This bill requires that political committees reporting in-kind contributions must include the name of the candidate they are supporting or opposing. Through this update, contributions could be tracked in real time. Currently this information is required only in candidate end-of- year reports, which are not due until after the election. The legislation will bring state law in line with current Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) regulations.

· “An act relative to contribution limits for candidates running for office in a special election”

This bill changes the campaign finance calendar for candidates who run in special election and a general election in the same calendar year. These candidates would be allowed to receive up to $1,000 in individual contributions between January 1 st and the special election, and up to an additional $1,000 between the day after the special election and December 31 st .

· “An act relative to enhance disclosure of top-five contributors information”

This bill strengthens transparency provisions in Massachusetts’ 2014 campaign finance law. Under the legislation passed today, the top five donors contributing more than $5,000 would have to be documented on direct mailings and billboards. Currently they must be identified on only paid television, internet advertising or print advertising. This bill is designed to address efforts to evade disclosure following passage of the 2014 law.

The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

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