Rules committee forwards measure requiring secretary of state to prefile campaign-finance reform proposal

During the second work session, committee staff Melissa summarized Senate Bill 1502, saying the measure would require the secretary of state to prefile a proposed legislative measure for the 2027 session with recommendations for changing the campaign finance limitation system and related reporting requirements. Staff said the proposed measure should reflect the progress and experience implementing House Bill 4024 (2024) and House Bill 4018 if it becomes law. Melissa reported a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact and said the Senate had recorded 25 ayes and 3 nays.

Vice Chair Elmer moved to send Senate Bill 1502 to the floor with a "do pass" recommendation. Chair Bowman framed the bill as an indication of the Legislature's continued work on campaign finance reform. Representative Wallin corrected a phrasing choice during discussion, saying she preferred the term "proliferation of dark money PACs" rather than "dark money packs." The clerk called the roll and members recorded on the roll call voted in the affirmative; the motion passed and Vice Chair Elmer was assigned to carry the bill on the floor.

The committee's action was procedural: it recommended that the House place Senate Bill 1502 on the floor with a do-pass recommendation so that the House can consider the secretary of state's proposed measure for 2027. The committee did not amend the bill in this session.