Governor John Carney has signed House Bill 291 into law, marking a step toward greater transparency in Delaware’s campaign finance system. Under the new law, the Department of Elections must provide both a dedicated phone line and an online form for reporting suspected campaign finance violations, making it easier for the public to voice concerns about potentially unethical financial activities.
House Bill 291 also mandates that any campaign contributions exceeding legal limits be redirected to Delaware’s General Fund, effectively barring such excess funds from being donated to charitable organizations—a practice that had previously allowed candidates to gain favorable public attention. State Representative Eric Morrison (D-Glasgow), the bill’s sponsor, pointed out that the former policy created an opportunity for political leverage, with candidates potentially benefitting from excess contributions by showcasing charitable donations.
An additional measure proposed by Morrison, which would have required campaign donors to disclose their primary employer and job title, did not make it into the final version of the bill. Morrison explained that this requirement would have enabled the Department of Elections to identify “pass-through” contributions, where employers illegally funnel donations through employees. Despite this provision’s removal, Morrison remains optimistic about future reforms.
Another proposed measure, House Bill 292, would require the Department of Elections to systematically audit every political committee’s financial reports. While the bill did not advance due to funding constraints, Morrison hopes it will be reconsidered, emphasizing the current lack of proactive oversight over political contributions and expenses.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings is also working on additional reforms to introduce in the coming legislative session. Her proposals include limiting the timeframe for amending finance reports, establishing guidelines for record-keeping, and increasing resources for the Department of Elections to scrutinize financial records more effectively.
This move signals Delaware’s broader efforts to tighten campaign finance laws and improve transparency and accountability in political fundraising.
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