HB538 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew SorrellAuditor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Campaign debt, require reporting of if contributions accepted to pay off, Secs. 17-5-2, 17-5-7, 17-5-8, 17-5-9 am'd.

Summary

The Campaign Debt Clarification Act would require reporting of post-election campaign debt and limit contributions to the reported debt during the first 120 days after an election.

What This Bill Does

If a candidate, public official, or principal campaign committee accepts contributions to pay down campaign debt in the 120 days after an election, they must report the debt to the appropriate filing official. They would then be limited to accepting contributions that do not exceed the amount of debt reported. The bill creates a formal process (the qualifying campaign debt disclosure form) and updates related campaign finance provisions to implement these rules.

Who It Affects

• Candidates, public officials, and principal campaign committees must report post-election debt and may only accept contributions up to the reported debt amount during the 120 days after an election.
• State and local filing authorities (Secretary of State or judges of probate) will receive the debt disclosures, oversee the new reporting requirements, and maintain access to electronic records for the public.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Campaign Debt Clarification Act and amends Sections 17-5-2, 17-5-7, 17-5-8, and 17-5-9.
• Requires reporting of campaign debt if contributions are accepted during the 120-day period after an election.
• Prohibits accepting contributions during that period that exceed the disclosed amount of campaign debt.
• Requires a qualifying campaign debt disclosure form to list the amount and description of outstanding debt and to be filed with the appropriate filing official; it can be filed and amended within the 120-day period.
• If no contributions are accepted in the 120-day period, the debt disclosure form is not required.
• Maintains and clarifies filing requirements (Secretary of State or judge of probate) and related electronic filing provisions for campaign finance records.

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

Subjects

Campaign Finances