SB136 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Elections, campaign finance disclosure reports, electronic filing, frequency increased, Section 527 organization filing requirements, filing of large contributions required, Secretary of State to establish and maintain electronic database, Sec. 17-5-8 am'd. (2011-21174)

Summary

SB136 would tighten and modernize Alabama's campaign finance disclosure by increasing filing frequency, expanding coverage to 527 groups, and creating an online public database starting in 2014.

What This Bill Does

It changes when and how campaign finance reports must be filed for campaigns and committees, starting in 2012 with monthly reports 12 months before elections, then weekly reports before elections, plus additional pre-election filings if daily contributions or expenditures reach $5,000. It extends reporting to 527 organizations contributing to state or local elections and requires reporting of large contributions, including single contributions of $20,000 or more, within two business days. Starting in 2014, electronic filing becomes mandatory for most reports (with some exceptions) and the Secretary of State must maintain a publicly accessible, searchable database of all filings. The act also authorizes the Secretary of State to issue rules to implement and administer these provisions.

Who It Affects

• Principal campaign committees and political action committees, including 527 organizations that contribute to state or local elections, would face more frequent reporting requirements and a transition toward electronic filings with additional rules for large contributions.
• Voters and the general public, including journalists and researchers, would gain access to a new electronic, searchable database of campaign contributions and expenditures maintained by the Secretary of State.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 17-5-8 to require more frequent campaign finance reports for the 2012 and 2014 election cycles, including monthly reports beginning 12 months before elections, weekly reports before elections, and additional pre-election filings when contributions or expenditures reach $5,000 in a day, with books closed two days before the reporting dates.
• Extends disclosure to Section 527 political organizations that contribute to state or local elections and requires reporting of large contributions, including single contributions of $20,000 or more, within two business days.
• Beginning with the 2014 election cycle, electronic filing of reports shall be mandatory for most elections (with limited exceptions) and an electronic, searchable database of all required filings shall be created and maintained by the Secretary of State.
• The Secretary of State may promulgate administrative rules to implement and administer the act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections