The bill proposes comprehensive reforms to campaign finance regulations in Kansas, including the closure of candidate campaign accounts for elected officials who do not seek re-election or are defeated, requiring these accounts to be terminated within a specified timeframe after the second general election. It also renames the governmental ethics commission to the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission, detailing its structure, member appointments, and meeting requirements. New provisions for filing independent expenditure statements are introduced, along with prohibitions on agreements that condition contributions based on subsequent donations to other committees. The bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in campaign finance practices.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Kansas Statutes related to political committees, party committees, and independent expenditures, updating definitions and establishing new registration fee thresholds based on anticipated contributions. Significant deletions include the removal of phrases that previously defined the major purpose of political committees, broadening their scope. The reporting threshold for independent expenditures is raised from $100 to $1,000, potentially reducing the number of required disclosures. The bill also introduces stricter regulations for gubernatorial inauguration funds, updates lobbying registration and reporting requirements, and mandates that budget estimates from state agencies include detailed appropriations explanations. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline regulations while promoting accountability in both campaign finance and lobbying activities.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 25-4119a, 25-4119b, 25-4119e, 25-4119f, 25-4142, 25-4153b, 25-4189, 25-4143, 25-4145, 25-4150, 25-4152, 25-4154, 25-4157, 25-4158a, 25-4180, 25-4186, 46-246a, 46-253, 46-263, 46-265, 46-280, 46-288, 46-295, 46-225, 74-50, 75-3036, 75-3717, 75-4302a, 75-4301, 75-4303a, 75-4301a, 75-4304, 75-4305, 75-4306, 77-440
As Amended by House Committee: 25-4119a, 25-4119b, 25-4119e, 25-4119f, 25-4142, 25-4153b, 25-4189, 25-4143, 25-4145, 25-4150, 25-4152, 25-4154, 25-4157, 25-4158a, 25-4180, 25-4186, 46-246a, 46-253, 46-263, 46-265, 46-280, 46-288, 46-295, 46-225, 74-50, 75-3036, 75-3717, 75-4302a, 75-4301, 75-4303a, 75-4301a, 75-4304, 75-4305, 75-4306, 77-440
{As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole}: 25-4157, 25-4119a, 25-4119b, 25-4119e, 25-4119f, 25-4142, 25-4153b, 25-4189, 25-4143, 25-4145, 25-4150, 25-4152, 25-4154, 25-4158a, 25-4180, 25-4186, 46-246a, 46-253, 46-263, 46-265, 46-280, 46-288, 46-295, 74-50, 75-3036, 75-3717, 75-4302a, 75-4303a, 77-440
Enrolled: 25-4157a, 25-4157, 25-4119a, 25-4119b, 25-4119e, 25-4119f, 25-4142, 25-4153b, 25-4189, 25-4143, 25-4145, 25-4150, 25-4152, 25-4154, 25-4158a, 25-4180, 25-4186, 46-246a, 46-253, 46-263, 46-265, 46-280, 46-288, 46-295, 46-225, 74-50, 75-3036, 75-3717, 75-4302a, 75-4301, 75-4303a, 75-4301a, 75-4304, 75-4306, 77-440