Bill Text: PA HB1631 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: In registration system, further providing for open records and documents; and providing for voter registration drives.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 62-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-06-23 - Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT [HB1631 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HB1631-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2256
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1631 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY ROAE, S. H. SMITH, TURZAI, CIVERA, MAJOR, STERN, PHILLIPS, SAYLOR, PAYNE, SCHRODER, MARSHALL, BARRAR, GRELL, REICHLEY, MUSTIO, KAUFFMAN, ROCK, VEREB, BAKER, BEAR, BOYD, BROOKS, CAUSER, CLYMER, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, DALLY, DENLINGER, EVERETT, FARRY, FLECK, GABLER, GEIST, GINGRICH, GROVE, HARRIS, HELM, HICKERNELL, M. KELLER, KNOWLES, MARSICO, MENSCH, METZGAR, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILLER, MILNE, MOUL, MURT, OBERLANDER, O'NEILL, PICKETT, READSHAW, REED, ROHRER, SCAVELLO, SONNEY, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TRUE, VULAKOVICH AND WATSON, JUNE 23, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 23, 2009
AN ACT
Amending Title 25 (Elections) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in registration system, further providing for open
records and documents; and providing for voter registration
drives.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1207 of Title 25 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
§ 1207. Open records and documents.
(a) Scope.--The following documents under this part are open
to public inspection except as otherwise provided in this
section:
(1) Records of a registration commission and district
registers.
(2) Street lists.
(3) Official voter registration applications.
(4) Petitions and appeals.
(5) Witness lists.
(6) Accounts and contracts.
(7) Reports, including reports filed under Chapter 20
(relating to voter registration drives).
(b) Use.--Open material under subsection (a) may be
inspected during ordinary business hours subject to the
efficient operation of a commission. Public inspection shall
only be in the presence of a commissioner [or], authorized
commission employee or authorized employee of the department, as
applicable, and shall be subject to proper regulation for
safekeeping of the material and subject to this part. Upon
request, a photocopy of the record or computer-generated data
record shall be provided at cost. The material may not be used
for commercial or improper purposes.
Section 2. Title 25 is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 20
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES
Sec.
2001. Definitions.
2002. Reporting required.
2003. Forms.
2004. Content of reports.
2005. Timing of reports.
2006. Limitations on contributions.
§ 2001. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
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"Contribution." A payment, gift, subscription, assessment,
contract, payment for services, dues, loan, forbearance, advance
or deposit of money or any valuable thing to an entity made for
the purpose of supporting or financing a voter registration
drive organized or conducted by the entity. The term does not
include a contribution as defined in section 1621 of the act of
June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania
Election Code.
"Expenditure." A payment, distribution, loan or advancement
of money or other valuable thing by an entity made for the
purpose of a voter registration drive organized or conducted by
the entity or individuals associated with the entity. The term
does not include any expenditure as defined in section 1621 of
the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the
Pennsylvania Election Code.
"Government agency." The Department of State, the Department
of Transportation, a commission established under section 1203
(relating to commissions), an agency enumerated in section
1325(a) (relating to government agencies) or 1327(c)(2)
(relating to preparation and distribution of applications).
"Political committee." The term as defined in section
1621(h) of the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as
the Pennsylvania Election Code.
"Voter registration drive." An effort to encourage
individuals to register to vote under this part that is
supported, organized or conducted by an entity, other than a
government agency, in which the entity or individuals associated
with the entity do one or more of the following:
(1) assist individuals with the completion of voter
registration applications;
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(2) accept completed registration applications; or
(3) transmit completed applications to a commission.
§ 2002. Reporting required.
Each entity that receives a contribution or makes an
expenditure shall file with the secretary a report of the
contribution or expenditure.
§ 2003. Forms.
A report shall be filed on a form designed by the secretary.
The secretary shall design forms to accommodate reports of
single contributions or expenditures and reports of multiple
contributions or expenditures. The secretary may establish a
system for the electronic reporting of contributions or
expenditures under this chapter.
§ 2004. Content of reports.
(a) General information.--In addition to the information
required under subsections (b) and (c), a report required under
section 2002 (relating to reporting required) shall contain the
following information:
(1) The name of the entity.
(2) The address of the principal place of business of
the entity.
(3) The telephone number of the entity.
(4) The names and addresses of all officers of the
entity.
(b) Contribution information.--
(1) For each contribution received, a report filed under
this chapter shall contain all of the following:
(i) The date on which the contribution was received.
(ii) The full name and mailing address of the person
who made the contribution.
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(2) If the person who made the contribution is an
individual, the report shall also include the name of the
individual's employer, if any, or the principal place of
business of the individual.
(3) The person who made the contribution shall be
responsible for the accuracy of the information furnished to
the entity.
(c) Expenditure information.--For each expenditure made, a
report filed under this chapter shall contain all of the
following:
(1) The date the expenditure was made.
(2) The full name and address of the person to whom the
expenditure was made.
(3) The specific purpose for which the expenditure was
made.
§ 2005. Timing of reports.
Each contribution shall be reported no later than ten
business days after it is received by an entity. Each
expenditure shall be reported no later than ten business days
after it is made by an entity.
§ 2006. Limitations on contributions.
It is unlawful for any person other than a natural person or
a political committee to make a contribution. It is also
unlawful for any entity to knowingly accept or receive a
contribution from a person other than a natural person or a
political committee.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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