2007 Campaign Finance Laws

Below is a list of campaign finance related bills that passed their houses of introduction during the 2007 General Assembly Session. Check back here for updates on the legislation at the end of the General Assembly Session.

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HB 1977 - Inaugural Funds
Patron: Fralin

Provides that surplus inaugural committee funds shall be used only to return contributions to contributors or make charitable contributions.

HB 2386 - Local Candidate E-Filing
Patron: May

Provides that the State Board of Elections shall develop and implement a centralized system to accept reports from local office candidates by July 1, 2007. Local office candidates who file electronically with the State Board will not be required to file locally, and the State Board shall make the filings available promptly to the local electoral board. The bill takes effect only if adequate funding or programming is available to implement the centralized system for accepting the local reports. This bill is identical to SB 1015.

HB 2650 - Express Advocacy Standard
Patron: Jones, S.C.

Codifies the "express advocacy" standard. The Virginia Supreme Court held in Virginia Society for Human Life, Inc. v. Caldwell, 256 Va. 151, 500 S.E.2d 814 (1998), that the Virginia's campaign finance disclosure laws apply only to “express advocacy” and that the phrase “for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election” will be interpreted to mean "express advocacy.” This was a recommendation of the task force that assisted the State Board of Elections in conducting a review in 2005 of the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act pursuant to House Joint Resolution 667 (2005).

HB 2740 - Independent Expenditures; Political Committees
Patron: Englin

Requires filing independent expenditure reports by earlier of 24 hours after (i) making expenditure, or (ii) publishing or publicly broadcasting materials to influence voting for or against an identified candidate.  Requires that independent expenditure report filed by a political action committee or political party committee that has not yet filed a statement of organization provide the information required on a statement of organization. Current law allows a committee 10 days after it is organized to file its statement of organization. This bill requires a political action committee or political party committee that makes an independent expenditure during this 10-day period or any period during which the committee has not filed a statement of organization to file a report with complete information within 24 hours of spending funds or publishing or publicly broadcasting candidate related materials.

HB 2852 - In-state vs. Out-of-State Political Action Committees; "Primary Purpose" Definition
Patron: Moran

Provides that the State Board of Elections shall not accept the statement of organization from or register a political action committee unless the PAC states that its primary purpose is to influence the outcome of nonfederal elections in Virginia. Makes conforming changes in the definitions pertaining to campaign finance. Defines "primary purpose" as meaning 50% or more of overall contributions made by a committee are made to Virginia registered campaigns and committees, excluding administrative expenses and transfers among affiliates.

HB 3101 - Independent Expenditures; Exempting Party Committees
Patron: O'Bannon

Narrows disclosure requirements by providing that the requirement to file reports of independent expenditures shall apply to any "political action committee" rather than to any "political committee."  The definition of "political committee" covers "any political action committee, political party committee, referendum committee, or inaugural committee." 

HB 3150 - Prohibits General Assembly Members from Attending Political Party Fundraisers During General Assembly Session
Patron: Saxman

Prohibits General Assembly members and the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General from attending political party committee fundraisers during regular sessions of the General Assembly.

SB 1015 - Local Candidate E-Filing
Patron: Norment

Provides that the State Board of Elections shall develop and implement a centralized system to accept reports from local office candidates by July 1, 2007. Local office candidates who file electronically with the State Board will not be required to file locally, and the State Board shall make the filings available promptly to the local electoral board. The bill takes effect only if adequate funding or programming is available to implement the centralized system for accepting the local reports. This bill is identical to HB 2386.