The bill amends various sections of the Oklahoma statutes concerning campaign finance and financial disclosure for municipalities, counties, school districts, technology center districts, and independent school districts. It mandates that campaign committees and political committees at all levels file their statements of organization and reports of contributions and expenditures with the Ethics Commission, replacing the previous requirement to file with local clerks. The legislation also clarifies that statements of financial interests must be submitted to the Ethics Commission, which will maintain these documents as public records for four years and may post them on its website for public access. Key changes include the renaming of provisions to the "Technology Center District and Independent School District Campaign Finance and Financial Disclosure Act" and the updating of referenced sections from 21 through 30 to 2-110 through 2-119.
Furthermore, the bill introduces penalties for late filings, allowing the Ethics Commission to impose fines of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per day, with a cap of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for any late statement or report. It also outlines the enforcement process, including the acceptance of complaints regarding late filings, while ensuring that if the Ethics Commission determines the allegations of late filing are unfounded, no further action will be taken. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage and approval. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance transparency and accountability in campaign finance across various levels of government in Oklahoma.