SB469 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bryan Taylor

Republican

Co-Sponsors

J.T. WaggonerArthur OrrBobby D. Singleton

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Fair Campaign Practices Act, certain reporting excluded, civil penalties authorized by Secretary of State, probate judges, administrative rules authorized, administrative review of contested fines, Secs. 17-5-19.1, 17-5-19.2, 17-5-21 added; Secs. 17-5-8, 17-5-19 am'd.

Summary

SB469 would exempt elected officials whose principal campaign committees are closed from annual reporting and adds civil and administrative penalties, plus a review process, for late or inaccurate campaign filings under Alabama's Fair Campaign Practices Act.

What This Bill Does

It changes annual reporting by exempting officials with closed committees from the requirement, while those with open committees must continue annual reports. It authorizes the Secretary of State and the judge of probate to impose civil penalties or administrative fines for late or inaccurate filings, with defined amounts that escalate by offense. It creates an administrative review process for contested fines and allows the Secretary of State to issue administrative rules to administer the act, including moving toward electronic filing.

Who It Affects

• Elected officials, principal campaign committees, and political action committees: open committees must continue annual reports; closed committees are exempt from annual reporting; penalties can apply for late/inaccurate filings.
• Secretary of State and judge of probate: gain authority to assess civil and administrative penalties, enforce reporting rules, conduct administrative reviews of contested fines, and promulgate administrative rules to carry out the act.

Key Provisions

• Exempts elected officials who have closed their principal campaign committees from annual reporting requirements.
• Maintains annual reporting for committees that have not closed, due by January 31 of the following year.
• Adds civil penalties for late or inaccurate reports, with first offense up to $300 or 10% of the unreported amount; second offense up to $600 or 15%; third or subsequent up to $1,200 or 20%; a fourth offense creates a rebuttable presumption of intent; penalties go to the appropriate filing official.
• Creates administrative fines (Section 17-5-19.1) for similar late/inaccurate filings, with the same penalty schedule; four or more offenses triggers notice to the Attorney General and district attorney.
• Provides for administrative review of contested fines (Section 17-5-19.2) with a 14-day request window and a 30-day review period; judicial review follows exhausted administrative review.
• Authorizes the Secretary of State to promulgate administrative rules (Section 17-5-21) needed to implement and administer the act.
• Moves toward electronic filing, with mandatory electronic filing for certain elections beginning in 2014 and public access to electronic filings.

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