HCS/SS/SB 378 - This act modifies multiple provisions relating to ethics. LOBBYIST REPORTS (SECTION 105.473) Under current law, lobbyists are required to file with the Missouri Ethics Commission (MEC) monthly expenditure reports. This act requires such reports to be made annually. LATE FEES ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE DISCLOSURE REPORTS (SECTION 105.963) Under current law, the executive director of the Missouri Ethics Commission is required to charge late fees of $100 per day for candidate committees and $10 per day for continuing committees, campaign committees, and political party committees for campaign finance reports required to be filed 8 days prior to an election. This act requires all committees to be charged $100 per day in late fees for such reports. All other campaign finance reports will be charged a $20 per day late fee, rather than $10 per day as required by current law. Such fees shall be increased based on the increase in the cost of living, as provided in the act. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 238 (2023). NOTIFICATIONS SENT BY MEC (SECTION 105.963) The act additionally allows the executive director of the MEC to notify the candidate or treasurer of a committee by any means, rather than just registered mail, if the committee has failed to file any campaign finance report required by Missouri law. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 238 (2023) and substantially similar to a provision in HCS/HB 510 (2023). DEADLINE FOR FILING CAMPAIGN FINANCE DISCLOSURE REPORTS (SECTIONS 105.964 AND 130.046) Under current law, if the last day of filing any campaign finance disclosure report falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or an official state holiday the deadline shall be extended to 5:00 p.m. of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or official state holiday. This act creates an exception, providing that if the document is filed electronically, the deadline shall be 11:59 p.m. INVESTMENTS IN MUTUAL FUNDS (SECTIONS 130.021 AND 130.034) Current law limits how funds held in committees may be invested. This act permits certain committees to invest in mutual funds. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 238 (2023). PERMISSIBLE USES OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS (SECTION 130.034) The act permits contributions received by any campaign committee to be used for any reasonable legal fees incurred in defense of a legal proceeding arising out of the official duties of a holder of elective office. This provision is identical to HB 2678 (2022). ITEMIZED EXPENDITURE REPORTING (SECTION 130.041) Current law requires expenditures of $100 or less to be itemized on a disclosure report filed with the MEC. This act raises the threshold for this requirement to $200 or less and provides for an increase based on the increase in the cost of living, as provided in the act. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 238 (2023). EXTENSION OF DEADLINES FOR FILING REPORTS WITH MEC (SECTION 130.046) The executive director of the MEC may extend the deadline for the filing of any campaign finance report or statement to be filed with the MEC if, in the discretion of the executive director, there are extraordinary circumstances affecting the MEC's ability to accept electronic filings from all filers, provided that such deadline extension shall not extend more than two business days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, or official state holidays beyond the established deadline. Additionally, in the event that there is a Governor-declared state of emergency, the executive director may extend any such deadline for a period of up to 30 days. LATE FILING FEES (SECTION 130.056) The act raises the fine for filing any disclosure report late from $10 to $20 and provides for an increase based on the increase in the cost of living, as provided in the act. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 238 (2023). CONTRIBUTIONS BY FOREIGN LLCS (SECTION 347.163) Under this act, a foreign limited liability company is not considered to be transacting business in this state by reason of making a campaign contribution to any political committee. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 238 (2023). SCOTT SVAGERA