The Public Disclosure Commission is pursuing several policy changes in the 2023 session. The request has been introduced as Senate Bill 5284. The legislation would:
- Enhance grassroots lobbying disclosure through sponsor identification on communications to the public and timely reporting of activity, particularly during the legislative session. (This proposal is also contained in House Bill 1317.)
- Require sponsors to alert ad vendors when a purchase is a political advertisement to help ensure the vendor collects and maintains the required records of such advertising for public inspection.
- Adjust campaign reporting schedules to synchronize with the vote-by-mail election period by expanding reporting schedule of campaign expenditures, independent expenditures, and last-minute contributions. An additional expenditure report would be due 27 days before the election in order to capture the rise in campaign spending leading up to the voting period.
- Raise the threshold for special reporting of contributions received near an election to above $2,000 to ensure timely and focused disclosure of truly extraordinary contributions.
- Provide the PDC with ongoing access to the Transparency Account to establish a permanent, stable, and independent funding source that will allow effective long-term agency strategic planning for projects that improve usability, transparency, and accessibility of systems and information.