The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday to give candidates five days after the date of filing their candidate qualifying forms to file their required statement of economic interests.
House Bill 259 is sponsored by State Rep. Bob Fincher, R-Woodland.
Fincher said under current law, a candidate is required to file their statement of economic interests form with the Alabama Ethics Commission at the same time that they qualify to run for office.
Fincher’s bill would give candidates up to five additional days to file their statement of economic interests.
Fincher said he has been having discussions with the Alabama Ethics Commission about the bill.
“If a candidate does not submit a statement of economic interests or when applicable, an amended statement of economic interests in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, the name of the person shall not appear on the ballot and the candidate 3 shall be deemed not qualified as a candidate in that election.”
HB259 passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support 96 to 0.
It now moves forward for consideration by the Alabama state Senate.
