Oklahoma to Regulate Local Races Under New State Campaign Finance Law
On May 19, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed into law Senate Bill 1745, the Local Government Campaign Finance and Financial Disclosure Act. The law goes into effect January 1, 2015, and brings many local political races under the rules of the state Ethics Commission.
The new requirements apply to elected officials and candidates for any countywide office; municipal offices in towns with a population of more than 10,000 and a budget of more than $10 million; and all technology center districts and independent school districts.
Under the new law, political committees must file a statement of organization and are required to report contributions and expenditures. The information will be public record and available for viewing in the county where the election is taking place. Additionally, donors who contribute $50 or more will be required to be identified in campaign reports. (Currently, donors of $200 or less need not be identified.)
A newly created division of the state's Ethics Commission will enforce the law.
