Thayer's bill, Senate Bill 159, notably calls for a number of recommendations from the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance (KREF) Task Force which issued a report to the General Assembly just over one year ago. Two of the task force's top priorities -- increased reporting and more electronic filing of reports -- are major thrusts of the proposed legislation. The Campaign Disclosure Project specifically cited Kentucky's lack of required electronic filing as a major reason for its downgrade. Kentucky scored an "F" rating for a low rate of electronic filing of fund-raising and spending reports.
"Transparency and access to campaign financial information allow citizens to keep candidates and elected officials accountable for their campaign fundraising," stated Thayer. "This bill will dramatically increase those aspects of Kentucky Campaign Finance law and return Kentucky to its national leadership status in campaign finance reform."
The bill calls for increased reports by adding an additional report due 60 days before primary elections for statewide elected officials as well as an additional report due 60 days before general elections for all candidates. It also requires all candidates who raise over $25,000 in one election cycle to file their reports to the KREF electronically.
Kentucky's existing election finance laws have been challenged by observers of and participants in the system as confusing, lengthy, and legally problematic. A recent series of legal challenges invalidated several portions of the existing election finance statutes. The legislation addresses many changes in election laws that resulted from those decisions.
