SCS/SB 238 - This act modifies provisions relating to campaign finance.LATE FEES ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE DISCLOSURE REPORTS (SECTION 105.963)
Under current law, the executive director of the Missouri Ethics Commission is required to charge late fees of $100 per day for candidate committees and $10 per day for continuing committees, campaign committees, and political party committees for campaign finance reports required to be filed 8 days prior to an election. This act requires all committees to be charged $100 per day in late fees for such reports. All other campaign finance reports will be charged a $20 per day late fee, rather than $10 per day as required by current law. Such fees shall be increased based on the increase in the cost of living, as provided in the act.
The act additionally allows the executive director of the MEC to notify the candidate or treasurer of a committee by any means, rather than just registered mail, if the committee has failed to file any campaign finance report required by Missouri law.
These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/SS/SB 378 (2023).
FOOD AND BEVERAGE (SECTION 130.011)
This act exempts food or beverages provided at an event sponsored by or on behalf of a candidate from the definitions of "in-kind contribution", "contribution", and "expenditure".
INVESTMENTS IN MUTUAL FUNDS (SECTIONS 130.021 AND 130.034)
Current law limits how funds held in committees may be invested. This act permits certain committees to invest in mutual funds.
These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/SS/SB 378 (2023).
ITEMIZED EXPENDITURE REPORTING (SECTION 130.041)
Current law requires expenditures of $100 or less to be itemized on a disclosure report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission. This act raises the threshold for this requirement to $200 or less and provides for an increase based on the increase in the cost of living, as provided in the act.
This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SB 378 (2023).
LATE FILING FEES (SECTION 130.056)
The act raises the fine for filing any disclosure report late from $10 to $20 and provides for an increase based on the increase in the cost of living, as provided in the act.
This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SB 378 (2023).
CONTRIBUTIONS BY FOREIGN LLCS (SECTION 347.163)
Under this act, a foreign limited liability company is not considered to be transacting business in this state by reason of making a campaign contribution to any political committee.
This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SB 378 (2023).
SCOTT SVAGERA