TALLAHASSEE - Certain political committees must disclose the names of their largest donors under a bill Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law Wednesday.
So-called Committees of Continuous Existence, which lawmakers can establish to raise money and then donate it to other candidates, political committees or political parties, will have to provide the name and address of anyone who contributes more than $250 a year.
The law takes effect July 1.
Committees have been able to accept unlimited donations without disclosing donors. "We ought to force legislators to disclose where their money's coming from," said Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, who sponsored the bill.
The bill (SB 2346) also requires any group or individual buying political advertising to register as a political committee and report contributions and expenditures. Current law only requires committees to file these reports if they specifically urge people to vote for or against a particular candidate.
"This bill protects free speech, but it gives voters a right to know what's going on," Bush said.
The law will also require campaign finance reports to be filed electronically beginning Jan. 1.
In addition, it requires all 67 counties to conduct earlier voting beginning 15 days before a general election and eight days before a special election. Polls will be open for eight hours a day during the week and eight total hours over weekends.
Counties have been able to conduct early voting, but weren't required to do so and didn't have uniform rules to follow.
The early voting provision was a high priority for the Republican Party. Part of the effort to re-elect President Bush is to encourage Republicans to vote early or by absentee ballot with the hopes that 25 to 30 percent will cast a ballot before election day.
