SF 2008 (LSB 5192XS (4) 83)

SENATE FILE 2008

BY  WARNSTADT

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to campaign finance disclosure report due dates and providing a penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 68A.701, Code 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   68A.701  Penalty.
    1.  Any Except as provided in subsection 2, any person who willfully violates any provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a serious misdemeanor.
   2.  Any person who willfully fails to meet the reporting requirements set out in subchapter IV by one week prior to the election which is subject to the reporting requirements shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a class “D” felony. A failure to meet the reporting requirements within the time period specified in this subsection is sufficient grounds to initiate a criminal investigation.
EXPLANATION
   Under current law any person who willfully violates any provisions of the Campaign Disclosure —— Income Tax Checkoff Act commits a serious misdemeanor. This bill creates a specific penalty for willfully failing to meet the campaign finance reporting requirements by one week prior to the election which is subject to the reporting requirements. The bill makes violation of this filing deadline a class “D” felony. A failure to meet the reporting requirements within the one-week period is sufficient grounds to initiate a criminal investigation.
   A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $750 but not more than $7,500.