House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes comprehensive amendments to the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act in Louisiana, focusing on enhancing the regulation of campaign financing. Key changes include the establishment of leadership committees, updated definitions of contributions and expenditures, and new reporting requirements aimed at promoting transparency while respecting constitutional rights related to political speech. The bill raises the threshold for reporting in-kind contributions and expenditures from $25 to $50 and increases the reporting thresholds for candidates, with contributions for statewide office rising from $1,000 to $2,000 and for district office candidates from $500 to $1,000. Additionally, it modifies the definition of "political committee" to include entities receiving or making contributions exceeding $1,000 in a calendar year.

The legislation also introduces stricter regulations on the dissolution of political committees to prevent evasion of reporting requirements and clarifies the responsibilities of campaign treasurers. It emphasizes the need for accurate record-keeping and specifies penalties for violations. Notably, the bill expands the definition of personal use of campaign funds, prohibiting expenditures on household food items and other personal expenses. Furthermore, it enhances the procedural rights of respondents in ethics investigations and allows the supervisory committee to issue subpoenas for document production. Overall, the bill aims to modernize campaign finance laws, ensuring greater accountability and transparency in the electoral process.

Statutes affected:
HB596 Original: 18:1483(8), 18:6(C), 18:1(C), 18:2(H)(1), 18:1483(15), 18:1486(C)(1)