Campaign Finance Transparency Law Passes General Assembly

Press Release

By a 38 -- 2 vote, the House today passed legislation to increase transparency of campaign contributions by corporations and other entities. Previously, corporations could contribute without any person taking responsibility for the donation, making it more difficult for the public to determine who was behind a contribution. Senate Bill 186 requires that these contributors disclose the name and address of one "responsible party"--someone who shares or exercises direction or control over the entity's activities.

SB 186 passed the Senate earlier this month by a 12-9 vote and now heads to the Governor's desk. The bill builds on passage earlier this week of legislation to create a more unified and efficient structure for conducting elections, while making it easier to report and investigate campaign finance violations. (More information pasted below.)

"A transparent campaign finance system is required to help voters make informed decisions and to help ensure contributors operate within contribution requirements," said Governor Markell. "With passage of a set of important elections bills this week, as well as increased disclosure requirements in recent years, we have taken important steps to strengthen this essential part of our democracy."

SB 186 -- Transparency of Entity Contributions

Sponsors: Sen. Margaret Rose Henry (D-Wilmington East); Rep. Michael Mulrooney (D-Penwood)

Requires that entities must disclose name & address of one "responsible party"--someone who shares or exercises direction or control over entity's activities.
Requires that Elections Commissioner adopt uniform summary of law governing attribution of entity contributions, including examples of how law applies in specific cases.
This summary must be posted on the Elections Commissioner's web site, and political committees must provide summary to any entity contributor that requests it.

Source