Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2517

Introduced
1/17/24  
Refer
1/17/24  

Caption

Amending the campaign finance act regarding the crime of corrupt political advertising to delete the requirement of listing the treasurer of organizations sponsoring the political advertising.

Impact

By removing the requirement for treasurer disclosure, HB2517 could simplify compliance for candidates and political committees. Proponents of the bill suggest that this change will encourage more participation in political advertising, as smaller campaigns might find it less daunting to navigate the regulations without the added requirement of personal disclosure. However, this move raises concerns about transparency in campaign finance practices and could lead to greater anonymity for those funding political messages.

Summary

House Bill 2517 addresses the current regulations surrounding campaign finance, specifically targeting the crime of corrupt political advertising. The key change introduced by this bill is the elimination of the requirement for political advertisements to list the name of the treasurer or chairperson of the organizations sponsoring the communication. The legislation aims to amend Kansas Statute 25-4156, thereby streamlining the process for political advertising and potentially reducing the administrative burden on campaign organizations.

Contention

Opponents of the bill argue that eliminating the disclosure of the treasurer's name undermines accountability and transparency in political advertising. They fear this legislation could enable corruption by allowing organizations to sponsor advertisements without public knowledge of who is financially backing them. The debate centers around the balance between facilitating easier political campaigning and ensuring that voters can make informed decisions about the influences behind electoral messaging.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2519

Substitute for HB2519 by Committee on Elections - Deleting from the general election crime of corrupt political advertising coverage of advertisements for constitutional amendments; adding coverage of advertising for constitutional amendments to the crime of corrupt political advertising which is part of the campaign finance act.

KS HB2166

Expanding the elections crime of corrupt political advertising to be consistent with the campaign finance act and clarifying the scope of its application.

KS HB2207

Expanding the election crime of corrupt political advertising to include messages sent using text messaging devices.

KS HB2614

Requiring county election officers to record the names of individuals delivering advance voting ballots on behalf of another voter and report violations of the laws governing such delivery and removing the requirement to specify the treasurer of a sponsoring organization in political advertising.

KS SB279

Amending the campaign finance act and the state governmental ethics laws regarding the qualifications of members of the governmental ethics commission, actions of the commission, formation of political committees, reporting requirements and requirements for "paid for" attributions.

KS HB2559

Relating to the crime of corrupt political advertising; regulating the use; of generative artificial intelligence; requiring disclosure that an image or speech has been manipulated ; making it a crime to create false representations of candidates in campaign media or of state officials; providing that liability shall rest solely with the advertiser and not with any broadcaster or media platform.

KS HB1091

Relative to the financing of political campaigns.

KS HB0335

Political Advertising Amendments

KS HB07329

An Act Concerning Dark Money And Disclosure Of Foreign Political Spending And Of Political Advertising On Social Media.

KS HB2165

Amending the campaign finance and governmental ethics statutes to extend the time frame for hearings before the governmental ethics commission and making technical amendments.

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