Campaign reform heads for Miller’s signature

Wednesday, May 28, 1997 | 10:48 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill that throws more light on those who finance political campaigns and is aimed at stopping "dirty politics" was unanimously approved by the Assembly and sent to Gov. Bob Miller, who is expected to sign it later this week.

The legislation will require political parties and party caucuses, which have been able to collect and spend money without any public disclosure, to reveal the source of the funds and where the money is funneled.

Candidates, political parties and caucuses will have to identify those who give more than $100 to their campaign. Now, the reporting of the names is required for those who donate more than $500.

"This isn't the answer to all the public's prayers," said Patricia Fladager, president of Common Cause of Nevada. "But it's a start." Like any law, she said, it will have to be improved later.

It's considered the most comprehensive campaign reform bill in 25 years and Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, called it "long overdue."

Giunchigliani said Senate Bill 215 is a "great equalizer ... the Democrats don't like it ... the Republicans don't like it ... and the minor parties don't like it."

Representatives of the Independent American Party and the Libertarian Party have threatened to sue, saying it will hurt their efforts to raise campaign contributions.

Secretary of State Dean Heller, who has made campaign reform his main theme, said, "For decades our political process, and specifically our campaigns, have been engulfed in a dark cloud of secrecy. With the vote today, the sunshine of accountability has broken through."

Miller called it "a major step toward building integrity and public confidence," and a "victory for the voter."

Giunchigliani said the public understands that political candidates need money to run campaigns but "most of the public wants to know where the money is coming from."

Playing "dirty tricks" and infiltrating the campaign of an opponent are prohibited in the bill. And those who spread falsehoods about an opponent can be fined up to $30,000 by the state Ethics Commission.

Giunchigliani said there will be a "trailer" bill to switch the duty for policing the "dirty tricks" section from the Ethics Commission to Heller's office. The Senate, however, favors the Ethics Commission to perform this duty and has put another $30,000 into the budget for this work.

Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga, D-Fallon, noted the bill does not cover a candidate who builds himself up with false statements.

Candidates will have to report their finances 10 days before an election, rather than 20 days. A candidate who collects more than $100 in the year before the election will be required to file a disclosure report on the donations and the spending on Dec. 31.

The new law will become effective Oct. 1.