Ballot question disclosure bill clears key panel

JUNEAU - A campaign finance disclosure bill for those organizing and influencing Alaska ballot initiatives is headed to the House floor.

The House Finance Committee passed Rep. Kyle Johansen's bill Tuesday. Current law requires disclosures, but a Johansen aide says that's after a process that can take up to a year and includes having the ballot question's language certified and cleared by the attorney general; signatures gathered and the measure approved for the ballot.

The Ketchikan Republican says that means millions can be spent collecting petition signatures with no disclosure of who is funding the effort. The bill would change that, requiring disclosure earlier in the initiative process.

The bill also requires public hearings on ballot questions.