For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Contact: Stephanie Liotta-Atkinson, 202-297-0152, satkinson@dccouncil.us
Washington, DC – Today, the Council of the District of Columbia unanimously approved a major campaign finance reform bill that closes fundraising loopholes and includes new transparency measures to enhance the integrity of District elections.
Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, who moved the legislation through the Council stated, “Today’s vote concludes months of deliberation on campaign finance reform. The changes we are enacting include the most significant reforms we’ve seen in years to enhance accountability and transparency in the financing of District elections.”
A key feature of the bill is a provision restricting campaign contributions from related businesses. Under the new rules, related businesses will share a combined contribution limit equal to the cap for individual donors. For the past several election cycles, the “LLC loophole” has allowed business owners to use limited liability companies to far exceed the contribution limits imposed on other donors. “The Council’s vote to close the LLC loophole represents a commitment to the grassroots voices of our residents and a concrete step toward leveling the playing field between business interests and individuals,” stated McDuffie.
After several election cycles marred by questionable campaign contributions, the legislation adopted by the Council adds new disclosure and reporting requirements on donors and campaigns. “An overarching focus of this reform package is an enhancement of transparency around who finances campaigns and influences the political process,” stated McDuffie.
The bill requires campaigns to report fundraising data online and instructs the Office of Campaign Finance to publish that information on its website in downloadable form within 24 hours of receipt. Lobbyists are also required to disclose contributions that they bundle and forward to a campaign.
Addressing an array of issues that have troubled previous elections, the reform package also mandates campaign finance training for candidates and treasurers, restricts money order donations to $100, and enhances the range of penalties that may be imposed for campaign finance violations.
The legislation now advances to the Mayor for his signature and, if signed, goes into effect in 2015.
Bates Area Civic Association 