JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Campaign finance reform has been under discussion for months before the 2024 legislative session begins, and lawmakers made some progress on legislation this year.
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann (D-Mississippi) vowed to address this issue when he defeated former state Sen. Chris McDaniel in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor.
State Sen. Jeremy England (R-District 51) plans to bring the bill to the Senate floor once it is fully written. He said the bill was developed by him, Horsman, Secretary of State Michael Watson (R-Mississippi), and Attorney General Lynn Fitch (R-Mississippi).
The bill includes cross-party input and is aimed at reining in the state's historically lax campaign finance laws.
“We are increasing some of the penalties for people who fail to file a report or file an incomplete or inaccurate report. We are definitely adding more teeth and We're increasing some penalties to make sure people are filing in the right way,” England said.
A common criticism of state campaign finance laws is the lack of enforcement by the attorney general's office. This legislation would allow the Secretary of State's Office to enforce the law, rather than simply report the law to the Attorney General's Office.
The bill would also allow third-party prosecutors to enforce the law.
