SB 583 - This act makes several changes to the laws governing lobbyists, the Missouri Ethics Commission, and campaign finance disclosure.

This act deletes printing and publication expenses, media and other advertising expenses, and honoraria from the mandatory categories in lobbyists' monthly expense reports. The remaining categories are travel, entertainment, meals, food, beverages and gifts. This act repeals the provision exempting union members who are not acting as union lobbyists from laws governing lobbyist reports, registration, and disclosure.

This act gives the Missouri Ethics Commission, under certain circumstances, the discretion (on the vote of at least 4 members) to settle a complaint case by imposing a fee of not more than $1,000. Under current law, the Commission is required to hold a hearing.

The deadline for filing a statement of committee organization is 30 days prior to the election for which the committee accepts contributions or makes expenditures. Currently the deadline is the date for filing the first report pursuant to the provisions of Section 130.046, RSMo.

Continuing committees must file additional required campaign disclosure reports no later than the eighth (not seventh) day before an election for the period closing on the twelfth day before an election. Fees collected for late campaign disclosure reports must be deposited to the credit of the county school fund pursuant to Section 166.131, RSMo.

This act makes technical changes such as moving certain provisions from one section to different existing or new sections.

This act is identical to HB 678 (2001).
VANESSA CALEB