NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

No Response

State Department of Education (SDE) did not respond

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 57 enacts a new School Board Campaign Finance Reporting Act which requires financial reporting by candidates in school board and community college board elections and mandates penalties for failure to comply with the act.

Significant Issues

Candidates for school boards would be required to file formal disclosure statements with the clerk of the county in which the administrative office of the school district is located, listing all campaign contributions when such contributions exceed ($1,000). If candidates plan on receiving and expending less than $1,000 in contributions, they are required to file a statement of exception with the county clerk. This bill also establishes enforcement and penalty provisions for failure to comply, including a ($25.00) per day penalty for each day that a required filing is late, up to a maximum of ($1,000) and imprisonment for up to one year.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The LFC anticipates costs to county governments associated with monitoring the act, responding to complaints, printing required forms, filling reports, making reports available to the public, mailings to candidates, preparing reports and related administrative matters.

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