Timely explanations of the new Fair Campaign Practices Act that took effect Aug. 1 are available in video and hard copy presentations.
The FCPA update includes revisions since 2010, a discussion of the Voting Rights Act case that originated in Shelby County, and a new FCPA calendar of deadlines. The Legislature updated the FCPA in the 2013 legislative session as Act 2013-311.
According to Secretary of State Jim Bennett, changes include a new filing threshold of $1,000 for all candidates for local-to-statewide offices, a system of fines for failing to timely or accurately file campaign finance reports, and clarifying the transfer of campaign donations between political action committees, called PAC-to-PAC transfers.
“This new law not only creates stiffer penalties for those who violate it, but increases transparency in our elections process,” Bennett said.
The Business Council of Alabama supports the right to exercise free speech in all aspects of the political process and the timely and easily accessible reporting of all political contributions, financial commitments or expenditures.
The Alabama State Bar Association unveiled a handy FCPA reference guide at its July conference. It can be downloaded here.
-Dana Beyerle