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Minutes for SB40 - Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics
Short Title
Requiring the termination of any candidate campaign account for an elected official who chooses to not run for reelection or who is defeated in a subsequent election.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 6, 2025
Chairperson Bowers opened the hearing on SB40. Charles Reimer, staff revisor, presented a briefing on the bill. After questions by the Committee were addressed, the hearing continued.
Senator Shallenburger testified in support of SB40. Senator Shallenburger indicated the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission provided copies of old campaign finance accounts that he calls dead accounts. He explained they are accounts that are open, but the people did not run for reelection and haven't run for several years. Senator Shallenburger further explained that he saw where, for example, senators who haven't been in the Senate in 12 years are still paying themselves mileage, paying for phone bills, still buying newspapers, and still have to file a campaign finance report. No written testimony was provided.
Senator Shallenburger addressed questions from the Committee.
Kaitlyn Bull-Stewart testified in support of SB40. Ms. Bull-Stewart noted the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission had supported the ideology behind this bill requiring the termination of campaign accounts in its Annual Report in both 2023 and 2024 in its Legislative Recommendations to the Legislature. Ms. Bull-Stewart indicated the premise is strongly supported as there are campaign accounts open that are over 30 years old and over 20 campaign accounts that have been inactive for 10 years or more. Ms. Bull-Stewart explained that a lot of these people that are recording mileage are telling their office it's in case they want to run for office or they intend to eventually run for office. (Attachment 1)
Ms. Bull-Stewart addressed questions from the Committee.
Rob Fillion testified in support of SB40. Mr. Fillion expressed that he is a habitual donor to campaigns and is here because the bill simplifies and says what he gave his money to do. Mr. Fillion explained he is happy to help people win elections, but he doesn't want to pay for their cellphone bills and newspaper subscriptions for the rest of their lives. Mr. Fillion indicated this bill cleans it up, and donations go toward the intended purposes. (Attachment 2)
Mr. Fillion addressed questions from the Committee.
Written testimony in opposition of SB40 was submitted by:
- Kari Sue Vosburgh, Sedgwick County Precinct Committeewoman (Attachment 3)
Chairperson Bowers closed the hearing on SB40.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2025.
