Senator Schupp Sponsors “Eliminate Dark Money Act”
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, has renewed her effort to bring transparency to political campaigns with her sponsorship of the “Eliminate Dark Money Act.” The measure, part of Senate Bill 789, would hold non-profit organizations that spend money to influence campaigns to Missouri Ethics reporting laws. The act also requires these organizations to bring to light the donors financing their activities.
“Our current laws allow special interests groups and their donors to hide their activities in the shadows, shielded by largely secret not-for-profit organizations,” Sen. Schupp said. “Under Clean Missouri, voters said loudly and clearly that they want more transparency in our elections. My legislation will continue this push toward transparency by shining a light on dark money groups.”
Senate Bill 789 would require so-called 501(c)(4) organizations to report expenditures whenever a covered organization attempts to influence voters, identifies or depicts a particular candidate or ballot issue by name or number, or engages in political communications to impact the outcome of an election.
Politically active organizations would also have to reveal to the Missouri Ethics Commission the names of persons or entities that contribute more than $1,000.
Sen. Schupp has been fighting dark money in politics by filing similar legislation throughout her tenure in the Missouri State Senate.
For more information on Sen. Schupp’s legislation, visit her official Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/schupp.