The proposed bill seeks to amend Kansas campaign finance laws by implementing significant changes aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability. It requires the termination of candidate campaign accounts for elected officials who do not seek re-election or are defeated, and it renames the Kansas governmental ethics commission to the Kansas public disclosure commission. The bill outlines the commission's structure, including member appointments and regular meeting requirements, and establishes a fee fund for its operations. Additionally, it introduces provisions for independent expenditure statements, prohibits contributions made in another person's name, and clarifies definitions related to campaign finance, such as "candidate," "contribution," and "expenditure."

Moreover, the bill raises the reporting threshold for independent expenditures from $100 to $1,000 and increases the maximum contribution amount that can be accepted without disclosing the contributor's identity from $10 to $50. It introduces civil penalties for late filings and abolishes political committees primarily advocating for legislative candidates. The bill also mandates detailed reporting by lobbyists, establishes a fee structure for lobbying registration, and requires state agencies to submit budget estimates with specific details. Overall, the amendments aim to streamline campaign finance and lobbying regulations while ensuring that funds are managed and reported appropriately.

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