HCS HB 525 -- ETHICS

                     (Vetoed by the Governor)

This bill changes the laws regarding ethics and campaign
contribution disclosures.  In its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Requires lobbyists to file verified registration forms with
the Missouri Ethics Commission no later than January 5 of each
year or five days after beginning lobbyist activities and removes
the requirement that twice a year lobbyists provide the
commission with a summary of legislation they supported or
opposed (Section 105.473, RSMo);

(2)  Changes the dates when financial interest statements must be
filed and designates the commission as the filing officer for all
other persons required to file a financial statement for which no
filing officer is otherwise specified (Sections 105.487 and
105.489);

(3)  Allows lobbyists and other individuals to appeal a late fee
assessment on a disclosure report (Sections 105.492 and 105.963);

(4)  Changes the body to which they may appeal commission actions
from the Administrative Hearing Commission to the circuit court
of Cole County (Section 105.961);

(5)  Removes the requirement that municipal lobbyists in Kansas
City register with the city clerk (Section 105.971);

(6)  Removes the requirement that the commission print and make
available a summary of all laws for which they have enforcement
powers (Section 105.973);

(7)  Adds the date of voter registration to the list of
information that must be made available to the public through
electronic media or printout (Section 115.157);

(8)  Moves a section regarding the nomination process for
presidential electors by a newly created political party from
Section 115.315 to Section 115.327 (Sections 115.315 and
115.327);

(9)  Removes direct dollar amounts from various sections limiting
campaign contributions and instead references the section
establishing the base amount and the method of computing the
biennial increase (Sections 130.011 and 130.046);

(10)  Permits candidates or committees who file with the local
election authorities to omit the name and number of bank accounts
(Section 130.021);

(11)  Changes references from the Campaign Finance Review Board
to the Missouri Ethics Commission (Section 130.036);

(12)  Eliminates the requirement of filing campaign finance
disclosure reports with an election authority if the reports have
been filed electronically with the commission and the candidate
has filed a declaration that electronic filing will be used
exclusively (Section 130.041);

(13)  Reorganizes various sections regarding reporting
requirements for out-of-state committees and candidates nominated
by political party committees (Sections 130.049 and 130.050);

(14)  Changes from $15,000 to $5,000 the amount of contributions
which triggers the requirement for continuing committees to file
electronic reports and extends the requirement to political party
committees and campaign committees (Section 130.057);

(15)  Moves a section regarding the nomination of candidates from
Section 130.050 to Section 130.062 (Section 130.062); and

(16)  Requires the commission to hold hearings, study the
effectiveness, and report to the General Assembly by January 1,
2006, regarding current campaign contribution limits, independent
expenditures, and the regulation of various continuing committees
(Section 1).

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:19 pm