Committee adopts amendment tightening penalties for willful campaign finance violations

Sen. Port brought forward a delete‑everything A14 amendment to Senate File 4196 that focuses the bill on willful and large campaign finance violations, increases penalties for egregious conduct, and clarifies the board’s authority and fee structure. The amendment also includes an effective date in mid‑August (after the primary) and a provision directing certain monies to the state elections campaign account to support public funding mechanisms.

The Campaign Finance Board representative, Mister Sigurdsson, testified the board would absorb modest outreach and administrative costs (noted in the fiscal discussion as roughly $2,000 for additional training and communications). Committee members asked about whether mid‑cycle effective dates would create problems in the middle of an election year; the author and board witnesses explained the changes affect penalties rather than filing requirements and that outreach would target committees most likely to be affected.

Senators adopted the amendment and voted to recommend SF 4196, as amended, be referred to the Finance Committee for further consideration on appropriations and administrative impacts.