Proponents Of "California Disclose Act" Announce Deal, 7-Years Later

A California bill that would require more disclosure about donors in campaign ads is nearing passage, after seven years of attempts by proponents.

The “California Disclose Act” requires most campaign ads to display their top three funders, even if those contributions were funneled through other generically-named committees.

The author of this year's bill's, Democratic Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, said at a rally that the measure has the votes to pass.

"For the first time it appears we have a deal within the Legislature to move a real reform bill to the governor," Mullin said. "Let me tell you that the moment is indeed at hand."

An amendment inserted Wednesday could allow certain contributors, including labor unions and business groups, to avoid revealing their top funders. Trent Lange of the California Clean Money Campaign, the bill's main proponent, says the amendment helped secure the deal.

The bill failed last year by one vote in the state Senate. The conservative Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association opposed the measure, as did the California Fair Political Practice Commission, which monitors campaign finance in the state. The FPPC said the it contained confusing language and could complicate enforcement. After changes in this year's bill, the agency has remained neutral.