News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Bill Places all Statewide Candidates Under Same Fundraising Rules

For Immediate Release: April 1, 1998 Contact: Portia Parker, Assistant to Senate President Mike Miller, at (907) 465-4711.

Juneau – The House Wednesday passed legislation to create one set of campaign fundraising rules for all candidates running for statewide office including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Legislators and challengers. Sponsored by Senate President Mike Miller (R-North Pole), Senate Bill 275 and its immediate effective date passed by a vote of 37 to 3.

Current state law allows non-incumbents and the incumbent Governor and Lieutenant Governor to raise funds and receive campaign contributions for a statewide office during regular and special legislative sessions while legislators are prohibited.

Miller noted that SB 275 originally prohibited fundraising by all candidates for statewide office during legislative sessions. As amended on the House floor, the bill will allow all candidates for statewide office, including legislators, to fundraise during legislative session. "Either way, the bill achieves the goal of leveling the playing field by making restrictions on campaign fundraising consistent and fair for all people seeking public office," said Miller.

"Because incumbents have such a huge advantage over challengers, we changed SB 275 to ensure we don’t inhibit any new statewide candidates in their efforts to become public servants."

A summary of Senate Bill 275 as passed by the House Wednesday includes:

• Becomes effective immediately
• Allows all candidates for statewide office to raise money during the year of the election.
• Prohibits candidates for the State Legislature from raising money during the regular and special legislative sessions.
• Contains no additional fundraising restrictions on candidates for municipal or local office.
• Contains no fundraising restrictions during the 90 days immediately preceding an election.

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Broadcast Note: Radio actualities are available at 800/478-6540.
= Mike Miller, 23 K = Mike Miller, 15 K

Media Note: Each bill in the legislative process can be subjected to three full votes by the House or Senate: The final vote in third reading, reconsideration vote, and a motion to rescind. The House rescinded its action in adopting SB 275 and failed to adopt its effective date. The bill was returned to second reading where it was amended and again came before the body for a vote. The bill was then passed with the immediate effective date.