Campaign reform bill details

Thursday, May 15, 1997 | 7:39 a.m.

* Gives the state Ethics Commission the power to judge if a campaign statement is true or false. If it finds there was an untrue statement made with malice or "reckless disregard," it can fine the offending party $10,000, or $30,000 if the remark was made within 10 days of the election.

* Bars candidates from putting a mole on the staff of an opponent to disrupt the campaign. The Ethics Commission could levy a $10,000 fine if there is a violation.

* Reduces the three-month period for filing a candidacy to the first two weeks in May.

* Increases the penalty for voting twice from a gross misdemeanor to a felony.

* Requires candidates who raise more than $10,000 in the year preceding the election year to file disclosure statements on Dec. 31.

* Requires candidates to disclose the names of those who give more than $100. Currently, identification is required only for those who donate more than $500.

* Bars people from funneling campaign contributions through other individuals.

* Political parties and political caucuses will be required to file reports detailing where they get their money and who they donate it to.

* The dates for filing candidate campaign finance reports is moved to seven days before the election, rather than 15 days. This is to catch the names of those who donate a lot of money late in the campaign.