This bill amends the requirements for reporting independent expenditures in West Virginia by removing specific monetary thresholds and replacing them with broader language. Notably, it deletes the requirement for independent expenditures to be reported only if they exceed $1,000 and instead mandates that any sum spent during a calendar year must be disclosed. Additionally, it modifies the reporting requirements for contributions made to fund independent expenditures, changing the threshold from over $1,000 to any sum. The bill also adjusts the reporting timelines and amounts for independent expenditures related to various candidates, removing specific dollar amounts and replacing them with the phrase "in any sum."

Furthermore, the bill requires that any person or political committee making independent expenditures must maintain financial records for five years and make them available for audit. It establishes penalties for willful non-compliance and mandates electronic filing of reports, ensuring that these documents are accessible to the public within 24 hours. The Secretary of State is given the authority to propose rules for implementing these changes, and the bill clarifies that it does not apply to candidates for federal office. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency in campaign financing by broadening the scope of reporting requirements for independent expenditures.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-8-2