Senate Bill 2306

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-805, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CIRCUIT CLERKS AND MUNICIPAL CLERKS SHALL FORWARD COPIES OF ALL CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WITHIN TEN CALENDAR DAYS OF RECEIVING SUCH REPORTS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL MAKE ALL THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS FILED WITH OR FORWARDED TO HIS OFFICE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ONLINE THROUGH THE USE OF THE INTERNET; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 23-15-805, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

23-15-805. (a) Candidates for state, state district, and legislative district offices, and every political committee, which makes reportable contributions to or expenditures in support of or in opposition to a candidate for any such office or makes reportable contributions to or expenditures in support of or in opposition to a statewide ballot measure, shall file all reports required under this article with the Office of the Secretary of State.

(b) Candidates for county or county district office, and every political committee which makes reportable contributions to or expenditures in support of or in opposition to a candidate for such office or makes reportable contributions to or expenditures in support of or in opposition to a countywide ballot measure or a ballot measure affecting part of a county, excepting a municipal ballot measure, shall file all reports required by this section in the office of the circuit clerk of the county in which the election occurs. The circuit clerk shall forward copies of all reports to the Office of the Secretary of State within ten (10) calendar days after receiving a report.

(c) Candidates for municipal office, and every political committee which makes reportable contributions to or expenditures in support of or in opposition to a candidate for such office, or makes reportable contributions to or expenditures in support of or in opposition to a municipal ballot measure shall file all reports required by this article in the office of the municipal clerk of the municipality in which the election occurs. The municipal clerk shall forward copies of all reports to the Office of the Secretary of State within ten (10) calendar days after receiving a report.

(d) The Secretary of State, the circuit clerks and the municipal clerks shall make all reports received under this subsection available for public inspection and copying and shall preserve such reports for a period of five (5) years. The Secretary of State shall make all reports filed with or forwarded to his office available to the public online through the use of the Internet.

(e) The provisions of this section applicable to the reporting by a political committee of contributions and expenditures regarding statewide ballot measures shall apply to the statewide special election for the purpose of selecting the official state flag provided for in Section 1 of Laws, 2001, Chapter 301.

SECTION 2. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.