Connecticut House Bill HB06044

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/11
• Refer: 1/25/11

Caption

An Act Concerning Audits Conducted By The State Elections Enforcement Commission.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would affect how the State Elections Enforcement Commission handles candidate audits, particularly for those candidates who may not be heavily funded or who choose not to participate in public campaign financing. By establishing a lottery system to randomly select a maximum of forty percent of candidates for auditing, it aims to maintain transparency while also ensuring that the process is not overly burdensome for those who are less likely to violate campaign finance laws.

Summary

House Bill 06044 concerns the audits conducted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission in an effort to streamline the campaign financing process. The bill proposes amendments to Title 9 of the general statutes, specifically targeting the regulations surrounding the auditing of candidates. The intent is to exempt candidates who do not opt for public campaign financing and who spend less than the public financing threshold, thereby reducing the overall audit burden on lesser-funded candidates.

Contention

The primary points of discussion surrounding HB 06044 center on the balance between accountability and accessibility. Proponents argue that the current audit system may be overly restrictive and discourage potential candidates due to the fear of being audited. Conversely, critics express concern that reducing the number of audits could lead to less oversight, potentially allowing for abuses in campaign financing practices. The proposed changes mark a significant shift in how campaign finance regulation is approached at the state level, prompting debates over the implications for election integrity.