SCS/HB 678 - This act makes several changes to the laws governing lobbyists, the Missouri Ethics Commission, and campaign finance disclosure.

This act deletes printing and publication expenses, media and other advertising expenses, and honoraria from the mandatory categories in lobbyists' monthly expense reports. The remaining categories are travel, entertainment, meals, food, beverages and gifts.

Lobbyists are not required to report expenditures made on public officials, their staff or family, when such expenditures are in honor of a wedding, condolences due to death, or compensation or benefits for employment that is in addition to the public office.

This act updates the provisions regarding the electronic reporting system which shall be used for filing lobbyist reports.

On the vote of at least 4 members, the Missouri Ethics Commission has the discretion to settle a complaint case by imposing a fee of not more than $1,000. Under current law, the commission is required to hold a hearing.

The deadline for filing a statement of committee organization is 30 days prior to the election for which the committee accepts contributions or makes expenditures. Currently the deadline is the date for filing the first report pursuant to the provisions of Section 130.046, RSMo.

Continuing committees must file additional required campaign disclosure reports no later than the eighth (not seventh) day before an election for the period closing on the twelfth day before an election. Fees collected for late campaign disclosure reports must be deposited to the credit of the county school fund pursuant to Section 166.131, RSMo.

This act changes the culpability standard from "purposely" to "knowingly" for violations of Campaign Finance Disclosure Laws. Such offenses are Class A misdemeanors.

This act is similar to SB 583 (2001).
VANESSA CALEB

SA 1 - UPDATES THE LIMIT ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM A SINGLE CONTRIBUTOR TO $275 FROM $250.

SA 2 - STRIKES DUPLICATE SECTIONS FROM THE BILL.

SA 3, AS AMENDED - PROHIBITS SPONSORSHIP OF CAMPAIGN MATERIAL WHICH THE SPONSOR KNOWS TO BE UNTRUE AND DECEPTIVE OR MISLEADING.