Hearings To Resume Thursday On Campaign Finance Reform

A campaign finance reform bill viewed as “a good first step” by key lawmakers got its initial airing in a House committee on Tuesday.

But after an hour of testimony on the Senate-passed bill, several people still wanted to testify so the House State Affairs Committee decided to resume the hearing on Thursday.

The bill is a modified version of the finance campaign limits proposed by Gov. Phil Batt. His chief of staff, Jeff Malmen, said the governor supports the bill.

The legislation would, for the first time, place limits on contributions to state political races, although an analysis of 1994 donations indicated few would have been impacted by such a law. The bill also would require more reporting from independent groups.

But the section that generated the most debate would require groups such as the Idaho Education Association and unions to obtain written permission from each of their members annually before using dues or checkoffs for political purposes.

Boise attorney John Runft, representing the IEA, said dues agreements between the IEA and its members represent legal contracts, and the proposed legislation would allow state government to interfere with those contracts.

IEA Executive Director Jim Shackelford said the IEA is a private group. “Let’s decide whether there is a problem here,” he said.

House Majority Leader Rep. Bruce Newcomb, R-Burley, called the bill “a good first step.” Besides campaign finances, Newcomb said the Legislature needs to look at other things, such as the activities of lobbyists and outside groups getting involved in campaigns.

“This is the first bill I’ve seen that covers the gamut,” he said.

Highlights of the bill:

It would impose a limit of $5,000 a primary race and the same amount for the general election on donations to statewide races and $1,000 for legislative races. Political party committees could give $2,000 per election for legislative races and $10,000 for statewide races.

Independent groups giving at least $100 to a candidate or in supporting or fighting a ballot initiative have to report seven days before the primary and general elections and 30 days after the general election. The only reports required now are after the general election.

Political donations could not be converted to personal use by candidates.

Agreements to use member or employee donations for political purposes would have to be renewed in writing every calendar year.

Sen. Sheila Sorensen, R-Boise, said the purpose of campaign finance laws is to make the public aware of where campaign money is coming from and what it is being spent for. She disputed claims that the provision requiring renewal of dues agreements was aimed at the IEA.