I introduced this legislation to repeal the Alaska Public Offices Commission. The press has asked me what my impetus for introducing this was. I have emphasized to them that I am not being critical of APOC. They were handed an impossible task when the legislature passed the campaign reform laws of 1996. I just want all campaign activities out in the open. I also want allegations, investigations, and decisions on candidates to be conducted openly in a court of law in an expeditious manner.

The aim of HB 179 is three major things: (1) require each candidate to sign an affidavit of residency, (2) establish full disclosure with as few restrictions as possible, and (3) insure speedy court action.

The purpose of campaign disclosure is to make available to Alaskan voters all information concerning all contributions and all expenses of political candidates. But existing campaign disclosure laws have become too ambiguous, burdensome, and counterproductive to both the candidates and to their supporters.

HB 179 puts into place a simplified reporting system that is less intrusive and gives optimal freedom with fair accountability. Candidates will be required to make full disclosure reports semi-monthly and those reports will be made available immediately on the Division of Election's Internet Page.

I want to insure that the voters have qualified candidates and this bill requires quick judicial action during an election cycle. The current system of an appointed commission addressing complaints behind closed doors and taking six months or more to make a determination is unsatisfactory and unfair to the voting public. HB 179 requires campaign disclosure violations to be handled by the judicial system in a fair and expeditious manner.