BILL NUMBER:  S469

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the election law, in relation to requiring campaign
finance information to be filed on an electronic reporting system


 PURPOSE:
To require campaign finance statements related to local elections to
be filed electronically, in the same manner as campaign finance
statements for statewide races.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends subdivision 9-A of section 3-102 of the election law to require
the state board of elections to develop an electronic reporting system
to be used by the county board of elections.

 JUSTIFICATION :
Chapter 430 of the laws of 1997 requires that campaign finance
statements for all statewide elections be filed with the state board
of elections by electronic means. The state board of elections was
charged with the responsibility of developing this new electronic
reporting system. The Legislature's justification for passing Chapter
430 was to enhance the campaign disclosure laws, make more readily
available to the public information about the funding and expenditures
of campaigns for public office; enhance the credibility of candidates
              

and the political campaign system; and more easily shed light on the
funding of campaigns.

This measure extends the required electronic reporting of campaign
finance statements to all local races in the state. The fair and open
disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures is as important
in local elections as it is in statewide elections. This measure has a
$1,000 threshold, below which committees will not have to file
electronically. Additionally, this measure contains a hardship
exemption to accommodate some local elected officials who do not have
access to the computer technology necessary to file electronically.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2007/2008 - S.741 Remained in the Senate Committee on Elections
2005/2006 - S.233 Remained in the Senate Committee on Elections
2003/2004 - S.567 Remained in the Senate Committee on Elections
2001/2002 - S.2288 Remained in the Senate Committee on Elections

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :
Minimal cost to the state to extend the statewide electronic reporting
procedure to local elections. Possible cost to the local county boards
of elections for the initial cost of upgrading computer equipment.
Measure should have a long term cost savings.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.