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Date: 11/22/04 Item: 6. C�paign Fin�ce Disclosur�e �rdi.rxrrr�� MEMORANDUM =_� — - _ � — — — ° - �� TO: MEMBERS OF THE ROSEVII.LE CITY COUNCIL FROM: AMY IHLAN SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE REQUIRING PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONSIN CITY ELECTIONS DATE: NOVEMBER 15,2004 I am proposing a city ordinance that would require public disclosure of the identity of campaign contributors in city elections. Some key points of the proposed ordinance are summarizedbelow: The ordinance would apply to candidates for city office and their campaign committees, and also to political committees formed to support or defeat candidates for city office, or city ballot questions. . The proposed draft ordinance is based on the City of St. Paul's campaign contribution disclosure ordinance. The names and addresses of persons or organizations who mal�e campaign contributions or contributions in l�ind of more than $50.00 must be disclosed, as part of campaign finance reports already required under state law. The $50.00 amount is borrowed from St. Paul's disclosure ordinance. Another possible disclosure threshold would be contributions over $100.00 (this is the limit applicable for Minneapolis and Hennepin County offices, as well as state legislative offices). . The filing schedule for disclosure reports is parallel to the schedule for filirig campaign finance reports under Minnesota Statutes. . Disclosures are certified under oath by person filing campaign finance reports. Intentional violation of the disclosure requirement is a misdemeanor. Some policy reasons for adopting a campaign contribution disclosure ordinance include: . Encouraging greater openness and freedom of information in the campaign process; Allowing the public to know which individuals and organizations are supporting or opposing candidates and ballot questions in city elections; . Providing information to monitor and evaluate influences on elections or possible conflicts of interest on council votes.