Assembly OKs bill to repeal ethics law

Monday, Feb. 15, 1999 | 3:24 a.m.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, also said the 1997 law allowing for the state Ethics Commission fines has had a chilling efffect on free speech.

Assemblyman Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, didn't vote as the repeal plan, AB130, was sent to the Senate for final action. Beers was fined $5,000 last summer for statements he made about his primary opponent, Dennis Silvers.

The Ethics Commission said Beers' campaign material was misleading although factually correct.

The repeal plan, AB130, has been endorsed by the Nevada Press Association and by representatives of conservative and liberal organizations.

The 1997 law gave the state Ethics Commission the power to fine candidates as much as $30,000 for negative campaigning.

Senate Republicans tacked the provision onto a major campaign finance reform bill favored by Democrats. Under the campaign finance portion of the law, candidates must disclose the source of all of their contributions of more than $100.

Despite the popularity of the bill to throw out the negative campaigning section of the law, the measure may face tough going in the Senate.

Senate Government Affairs Chairwoman Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, favors letting the Ethics Commission continue as a truth-in-campaigning squad and views it as a way to reduce negative campaigning.