Out-of-state groups that spend money on Wisconsin elections would have to disclose all of their financial supporters, under a bill being considered at the Capitol.
State Representative Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh) says a loophole in campaign finance laws allows groups from outside of Wisconsin to avoid reporting where some of the money they spend on elections here is coming from. Currently, groups based outside of Wisconsin, that are required to report their funding to the state, do not have to disclose donors that are not located in the state.
Spanbauer is proposing legislation that would require those groups to disclose all of their donors, not just contributors that are from Wisconsin. He says those groups should have to operate under the same rules as state based groups and candidates, and the bill would create that “level playing field.
The Oshkosh Republican says it will ensure the public knows who is behind efforts to impact Wisconsin elections.
The bill only applies to groups required to file reports with the state. It’s being considered by an Assembly committee.
