121.005 Legislative findings on electronic storage and retrieval of campaign finance information

121.005 Legislative findings on electronic storage and retrieval of campaign

finance information.

(1) The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(a) The intent of disclosure of campaign finance information is to make that

information about political contributions and expenditures accessible to the

public;

(b) The volume of campaign finance reports submitted each year to the state

renders it virtually impossible, without the help of computer technology, to

derive meaningful conclusions from the records; and

(c) Computer automation is a necessary and effective means of transmitting,

organizing, storing, and retrieving vast amounts of data submitted by

candidates in election campaigns.

(2) The General Assembly enacts this legislation to accomplish the following:

(a) To improve the existing system of electronic reporting and extend its usage to

more candidates;

(b) To allow concerned persons easy, convenient, and timely access to campaign

finance reports submitted to the state;

(c) To ease the burden on candidates and committees of tabulating, filing, and

maintaining public records of financial activity;

(d) To strengthen both the disclosure and enforcement capabilities of the Registry

of Election Finance;

(e) To cooperate in the standardization of reporting formats among states so that

interstate as well as intrastate sources of political money can be known;

(f) To provide for a fully informed electorate; and

(g) To help restore public trust in the governmental and electoral institutions of

this state.