HB141 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Campaign finance disclosure reports, electronic filing authorized, Secs. 17-5-8, 17-5-9 am'd.; Act 2009-751, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

HB141 allows electronic filing of campaign finance reports for large contributions or expenditures, with a four-year voluntary phase-in and mandatory electronic filing thereafter, and requires the state to provide free software and security rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds an option to file campaign finance reports electronically for reports that show contributions or expenditures over $100,000, during a four-year phase-in period, after which electronic filing becomes mandatory. The Secretary of State would provide the necessary software at no charge and establish the format and medium for electronic filings, submitted over the Internet with security and validation rules. The existing paper filing system remains in place, with the same reporting timelines and disclosure requirements, but electronic filing would apply to high-dollar reports and no supporting documentation would be attached to electronic reports.

Who It Affects

• Principal campaign committees and political action committees would be eligible to file electronically for high-dollar reports and would need to use the SOS-provided system once the phase-in ends.
• Elected state and local officials who file campaign finance reports would be affected, particularly for high-dollar reports that may be submitted electronically.
• The Secretary of State and the judge of probate (local filing) would oversee and implement the electronic filing system and determine where reports are filed depending on whether the office is state or local.
• The general public and observers who rely on campaign finance disclosures would gain online access to high-dollar reports once electronically filed.

Key Provisions

• Electronic filing option for campaign finance reports reporting contributions or expenditures greater than $100,000, available during a four-year phase-in and mandatory thereafter.
• Secretary of State must provide free software and prescribe the format/medium for electronic filings; electronic submissions must be Internet-based and include no required supporting documentation attached to the electronic report.
• The Act authorizes a four-year voluntary period before mandatory electronic filing takes effect and requires the SOS to enact rules ensuring security, data protection, and validation of electronic reports.
• The amendments apply to the reporting requirements in Sections 17-5-8 and 17-5-9, including the designated filing authorities (Secretary of State or judge of probate) and the existing reporting timelines for campaigns.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections