Allegheny County, PA Chapter 220 Campaign Finance Reports and Statements

[HISTORY: Adopted by the County Council of Allegheny County 8-19-2003. Amendments noted where applicable.]

CHARTER REFERENCES

For additional information regarding elected officers, see Charter Art. III.

For additional information regarding the Legislative Branch, see Charter Art. IV.

For additional information regarding the Executive Branch, see Charter Art. V.

For additional information regarding accountability, conduct and ethics, see Charter Art. XI.

ADMINISTRATIVE CODE REFERENCES

For additional information regarding the County Council, see Administrative Code Art. 301.

For additional information regarding the Chief Executive, see Administrative Code Art. 401.

For additional information regarding political activity and the Accountability, Conduct and Ethics Code, see Administrative Code Art. 1013.

§ 220-1 Definitions.

The following terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:

CANDIDATE

Any individual who seeks nomination or election to public office, other than a judge of elections or inspector of elections, whether or not such individual is nominated or elected. An individual shall be deemed to be seeking nomination or election to such office if he has received a contribution or made an expenditure or has given his consent for any other person or committee to receive a contribution or make an expenditure, for the purpose of influencing his nomination or election to such office, whether or not the individual has made known the specific office for which he or she will seek nomination or election at the time the contribution is received or the expenditure is made; or taken the action necessary under the laws of the commonwealth to qualify himself for nomination or election to such office.

POLITICAL COMMITTEE

Any committee, club, association or other group of persons which receives contributions or makes expenditures.

§ 220-2 Candidates to have access to system for electronic filing.

Beginning January 1, 2005, it shall be the policy of the County of Allegheny that any candidate who is required to file a campaign finance report or campaign finance statement with the Elections Division pursuant to the Campaign Expense Reporting Law, Act 171 of 1978, shall have access to a technical system so that they may use electronic means to file.

§ 220-3 Treasurers to have access to system for electronic filing.

Beginning January 1, 2005, it shall be the policy of the County of Allegheny that each Treasurer of a political committee which is required to file a campaign finance report or campaign finance statement with the Elections Division pursuant to the Campaign Expense Reporting Law, Act 171 of 1978, shall have access to a technical system so that they may use electronic means to file.

§ 220-4 Access to reports and statements filed electronically.

Beginning April 1, 2005, it shall be the policy of the County of Allegheny that campaign finance reports and campaign finance statements filed electronically with the Elections Division shall be posted and accessible to the public through the County's Web site within 72 hours of each filing deadline and shall remain accessible for a period of five years.

§ 220-5 Access to reports and statements on County Web site.

Beginning January 1, 2007, it shall be the policy of the County of Allegheny that campaign finance reports and campaign finance statements, regardless of the means by which they were filed with the Elections Division, shall be posted and accessible to the public through the County's Web site within 72 hours of each filing deadline and shall remain accessible for a period of five years.

§ 220-6 Web access guidelines, methods and specifications.

Web access to the campaign finance reports and campaign finance statements shall include a searchable database. The development of the guidelines for submission, retrieval, storage and public disclosure of campaign finance reports and campaign finance statements by electronic means shall be at the discretion of the administration and shall mirror, as closely as possible, the guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation. The Elections Division shall promulgate methods and specifications for the electronic submission of campaign finance reports and campaign finance statements no later than June 30, 2004.

§ 220-7 Electronic submission not required.

The filing of campaign finance reports and campaign finance statements through electronic means shall be permitted and encouraged, but not required. The Elections Division shall continue to accept reports filed by paper.