Requiring political action committee to disclose contributors' names and addresses to Secretary of State
Summary
SB98 amends West Virginia’s electioneering communication disclosure law to require more detailed reporting of who is funding political messaging. The bill keeps the existing trigger thresholds for electioneering communications and the existing reporting framework, but adds a specific requirement that political action committees disclose the names and addresses of their contributors to the Secretary of State. It also requires contributor information to be reported when contributions are made for the purpose of funding electioneering communications, including additional identifying details for individual donors such as occupation and employer, and for PAC donors, their registered name and address.
The bill also reinforces disclaimer and transparency rules for electioneering communications by requiring a clear statement that the communication is not authorized by a candidate and identifying the person making the expenditure. It directs the Secretary of State to make disclosure statements publicly available online within five business days and authorizes emergency and legislative rulemaking to implement the changes. The bill clarifies that coordinated expenditures with candidates or party committees are treated as contributions and expenditures by the candidate or party, and it excludes federal candidates from its scope.
Impact
SB98 would amend §3-8-2b of the West Virginia Code, expanding disclosure obligations for electioneering communications and PAC activity. Its main legal effect is to require PACs and other persons funding electioneering communications to provide contributor names and addresses, along with related identifying and contribution details, to the Secretary of State, while preserving existing reporting thresholds and public disclosure procedures. It would affect political action committees, donors, candidates, and entities making electioneering expenditures, and would require the Secretary of State to administer and publicly post the additional information.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the available context suggests the bill is framed as a transparency and disclosure measure rather than a punitive or restrictive campaign finance overhaul. The caption and note emphasize disclosure of PAC contributors, indicating a policy goal of increasing public visibility into election-related spending. Because there are no committee transcripts or vote records provided, there is no documented opposition or support in the supplied materials beyond the bill’s stated purpose.
Contention
The likely point of contention is the expanded disclosure burden on political action committees, donors, and other groups engaged in electioneering communications. Supporters would likely view the measure as improving transparency and helping voters identify the sources of political messaging, while critics may argue it increases administrative burdens, chills political participation, or exposes donors to unwanted public scrutiny. Another possible issue is the breadth of the contributor disclosure requirements, including the treatment of coordinated expenditures and the detailed personal information required from individual contributors.