HB 2235 - DIGEST

Directs the public disclosure commission to adopt recommended spending limits for candidates for the following offices: Governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, commissioner of public lands, insurance commissioner, superintendent of public instruction, member of the state senate, and member of the state house of representatives.

Provides that each candidate for an office subject to a recommended spending limit may execute, and file with the commission, a promise that the candidate will stay within the limit. A candidate's promise that is executed and filed in conformance with this act and with the rules adopted by the commission to implement this act is binding on the candidate. A candidate who violates his or her promise to stay within the voluntary spending limit is in violation of this act.

Provides that, for each election involving an office for which voluntary expenditure limits have been established under this act, the commission shall compile a list of those candidates who filed promises in a timely manner. The commission shall promptly make the list available to the media and the public.

Directs the secretary of state to add to each voters' pamphlet a list of the campaign spending limits recommended by the public disclosure commission for each of the state offices for which the statements of candidates appear in the pamphlet and a brief explanation of the effect of a promise filed with the commission under this act.

Provides that, in preparing the voters' pamphlet for publication, the secretary of state shall secure from the public disclosure commission its most current list of candidates who have promised to limit spending, as that list is specified in this act. Using this list, the secretary shall add a prominent notice in the candidates' pamphlet to accompany the statement or photograph of each person on the list. The notice will state: "Has promised to abide by the voluntary spending limit for this campaign." With the statement in the pamphlet of each other candidate for state office, the secretary shall add a prominent notice stating: "Has NOT promised to abide by the voluntary spending limit for this campaign." The notice will accompany the statement or photograph of each such other candidate.