Tougher campaign reporting approved by committee

The Senate Legislative Operations and Elections Committee Saturday recommended passage of a bill toughening reporting requirements on Political Action Committees and barring contributions by foreign nationals to state and local candidates.

Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, added the language barring foreign contributions in Nevada elections saying it mirrors existing prohibitions at the federal level.

Sen. James Settelmeyer, R-Gardnerville, said that amendment was a good addition to the bill. But he said he has problems with changes in reporting thresholds for PACs. Existing law doesn't require PACs to report to the Secretary of State's office until they have raised $10,000. Ten they only have to list contributions over $1,000.

The bill would remove the $10,000 threshold and require all PACs to report every contribution over $100.

Settelmeyer said that would be a problem for local groups advocating such things as bond issues at the county level.

The committee chaired by Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, agreed to move the contribution level back to $1,000 but refused to reinstate the $10,000 threshold.