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HCS/HB 1474 - This act repeals several sections within the campaign finance chapter which were part of SB 844 (2010) which was declared unconstitutional by the Missouri Supreme Court in Legends Bank v. Missouri, 361 S.W.3d 383 (2012). As a result of that decision, there are ten sections within the campaign finance chapter which are doubly enacted: one version which was enacted by SB 844 and one version which was in effect prior to the passage of SB 844. The sections enacted by SB 844 do not have force and effect of law, but are nevertheless still considered part of current law. Only the versions which were in effect prior to the passage of SB 844 have the force and effect of law. The act also makes changes to the appropriate filing officers for the filing of reports under campaign finance laws. Currently, the appropriate filing officers for all committees and for candidates for the following offices: • state senator; • state representative; • county clerk; • associate circuit court judges; • circuit court judges; • elective municipal offices in municipalities of more than 100,000 people; and • county elective offices in counties of more than 100,000 people are the Missouri Ethics Commission and the local election authority of the district of the candidate. This act changes that so that the appropriate officer is only the Ethics Commission. Such candidates are further now required to file the financial disclosure reports already required under current law in electronic format as prescribed by the Ethics Commission. Currently, only continuing committees which make contributions more than $15,000 in an applicable calendar year are required to file disclosure reports in electronic format. All other continuing committees are required to file reports in paper format. This act repeals those requirements and instead requires all committees to file electronically. The act further repeals obsolete language relating to the establishment of an electronic reporting system by the Ethics Commission. SCOTT SVAGERA
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