HB 1851 Summary

• Establishes new ethics regulations for state officials, including restrictions on paid political consultants, lobbyists, and legislators accepting post-office employment offers while in office.

• Creates enhanced financial disclosure requirements for state employees, legislators, and their staff members, including reporting of income, assets, liabilities, and business relationships.

• Implements stricter campaign finance rules including contribution limits ($2,600 for statewide offices, $1,000 for state senators, $500 for other offices), expanded reporting of large contributions within 48 hours, and prohibition on gubernatorial appointees contributing to the governor.

• Strengthens the Missouri Ethics Commission's investigative authority and adds new penalties including potential ballot removal for candidates violating contribution circumvention rules during election periods.

• Requires all political committees to file campaign finance reports electronically and prohibits certain conduct such as fund-raising on state property, accepting gifts from lobbyists, and using state communications equipment improperly.