Miller signs campaign disclosure bill into law

Andy Holtmann

Tuesday, June 3, 1997 | 11:32 a.m.

Gov. Bob Miller has signed into law Senate Bill 215, which requires candidates for public office to disclose the names of those donating $100 or more to their election campaigns.

In the past, such disclosure was required only for contributions of $500 or more.

The law, which goes into effect Oct. 1, was signed by Miller on Monday in Las Vegas.

Also regulated by the law is negative campaigning.

The state Ethics Commission can now fine candidates up to $30,000 for willfully spreading lies about their opponents.

"Hopefully this will serve as a deterrent to negative campaigns," Miller said. "Candidates should think twice now about making malicious statements."

For Secretary of State Dean Heller, the signing held special meaning.

Heller first introduced the bill to the Senate in 1993 but it went nowhere that session. In 1995 the bill made it through the Assembly but there it stopped.

"We have a difference now in the way elections will be run in the state of Nevada," Heller said Monday.

Miller called the law a "breath of fresh air" in which the public will have a better idea of a candidate's finances.

"It is a long awaited pleasure to sign this bill into law," Miller said. "The hard work of Dean Heller is duly noted and I offer him my sincere congratulations."

Miller also recognized Assemblywoman Chris Giun-chigliani, D-Las Vegas, as a driving force behind the bill and thanked various groups for their support.

Contributions of less than $100 are exempt from disclosure, although Miller said he would support a threshold of zero, in which all contributions and their donors would be recorded.