Senate Bill 2079

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-805, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS FROM CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE ON COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL WEBSITES; 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, or directly to the Office of the Secretary of State via facsimile, electronic mail, postal mail or hand delivery. The circuit clerk shall forward copies of all reports to the Office of the Secretary of State. The circuit clerk shall also upload the reports to the county's Internet website.

(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, or directly to the Office of the Secretary of State via facsimile, electronic mail, postal mail or hand delivery. The municipal clerk shall forward copies of all reports to the Office of the Secretary of State. The municipal clerk shall also upload the reports to the municipality's Internet website. If the municipality does not maintain a website, the clerk shall forward copies of the reports to the circuit clerk of the county in which the municipality is located, and the circuit clerk shall upload the reports to the county's website.

(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 the reports for a period of five (5) years.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.