Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB815

Introduced
4/3/23  
Refer
4/3/23  
Refer
6/5/23  
Report Pass
6/6/23  
Engrossed
6/6/23  

Caption

In primary and election expenses, further providing for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, for late contributions and independent expenditures, for oath of compliance, perjury, disqualification from office and commercial use, for residual funds and for place of filing, providing for manner of filing and for inability to file reports or statements electronically by deadline and further providing for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for additional powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Impact

The bill's amendments promise significant changes to the existing election law in Pennsylvania. By mandating electronic filing of reports, the legislation intends to improve the efficiency and accessibility of financial disclosures in political campaigns. Furthermore, the introduction of penalties for late filings aims to encourage timely compliance and lead to a higher rate of transparency concerning campaign financing. These changes may establish a new standard for how political committees operate, thereby impacting future electoral competitions and the overall integrity of election processes in the state.

Summary

House Bill 815 is a legislative measure aimed at amending the Pennsylvania Election Code, primarily focused on primary and election expenses, and the reporting requirements for candidates and political committees. The bill stipulates that any candidate or treasurer of a political committee must file reports on receipts and expenditures exceeding $250 and introduces provisions for late contributions, independent expenditures, and penalties for late filings. This electronic filing system is designed to streamline the reporting process and enhance compliance monitoring by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, ensuring transparency in campaign financing.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 815 is generally positive among legislative supporters, who view it as a progressive step towards modernizing Pennsylvania's electoral system and increasing accountability in campaign finance. However, there are underlying concerns regarding the potential challenges some candidates may face with the electronic filing system, particularly for those lacking necessary technology or internet access. This raises questions about the accessibility of the electoral process and whether all candidates can reliably meet the new requirements without undue hardship.

Contention

Despite the prevalent support for HB 815, there are notable points of contention regarding its implementation. Critics argue that the shift to mandatory electronic filing could disenfranchise candidates who are less technologically equipped, thereby favoring more affluent candidates who have better access to technology. Additionally, some dissenters may view the penalties prescribed for late filings as overly stringent, fearing that genuine mistakes or unforeseen circumstances could lead to unnecessary financial burdens on candidates and their committees, thus complicating their ability to effectively engage in election campaigns.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

PA HB1262

In primary and election expenses, further providing for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, for late contributions and independent expenditures, for oath of compliance, perjury, disqualification from office and commercial use, for residual funds and for place of filing, providing for manner of filing and for inability to file reports or statements electronically by deadline and further providing for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for additional powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth.

PA SB139

In primary and election expenses, further providing for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, for late contributions and independent expenditures, for oath of compliance, perjury, disqualification from office and commercial use, for residual funds and for place of filing, providing for manner of filing and for inability to file reports or statements electronically by deadline and further providing for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for additional powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth.

PA HB773

In primary and election expenses, further providing for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, for late contributions and independent expenditures, for oath of compliance, perjury, disqualification from office and commercial use and for place of filing, providing for manner of filing and for inability to file reports or statements electronically by deadline and further providing for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for powers and duties of the supervisor, for additional powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth.

PA HB2099

In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions, for organization of political committees, treasurer and assistant treasurer and records of candidate and committees, for registration and for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, providing for limitations on certain contributions, further providing for residual funds, for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations or unincorporated associations, for advertising and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth and providing for independent expenditures and for independent expenditure evaluation; and providing for corporate political accountability.

PA SB11

In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions, for organization of political committees, treasurer and assistant treasurer and records of candidate and committees, for registration and for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, providing for limitations on certain contributions, further providing for residual funds, for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations or unincorporated associations, for advertising and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth and providing for independent expenditures and for independent expenditure evaluation; and providing for corporate political accountability.

PA HB542

In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions, for organization of political committees, treasurer and assistant treasurer and records of candidate and committees, for registration and for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, providing for limitations on certain contributions, further providing for residual funds, for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations or unincorporated associations, for advertising and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth and providing for independent expenditures and for independent expenditure evaluation; and providing for corporate political accountability.

PA HB1831

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for special elections for Senator and Representative in the General Assembly, for special elections for members of councils or legislative bodies of cities, boroughs, towns and townships and for nominations for special election for Representative in Congress, Senator and Representative in the General Assembly and member of council or legislative body of cities, boroughs, towns and townships and providing for special election for Senator or Representative in General Assembly or member of council or legislative body of cities, boroughs, towns and townships and for fines imposed for certain resignations and establishing the Special Election Fund; in nomination of candidates, further providing for number of signers required for nomination petitions of candidates at primaries, providing for secure online signature collection for Federal, State and municipal political offices and further providing for nominations by political bodies, for limitations on eligibility of candidates, for contents of nomination papers, restriction on names and campaign finances and for filing fee; in voting machines, further providing for requirements of voting machines; in electronic voting systems, further providing for requirements of electronic voting systems and for forms; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, repealing provisions relating to qualified mail-in electors, providing for automatic issuance of mail-in ballots, repealing provisions relating to applications for official mail-in ballots, to date of application for mail-in ballot and to approval of application for mail-in ballot and further providing for delivering or mailing ballots, for voting by mail-in electors and for public records; in primary and election expenses, further providing for authorization of political committee and for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons; and imposing penalties.

CA AB946

Political Reform Act of 1974.