By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would apply the state’s campaign finance election laws to political expenditures of more than $1,000, made by persons, corporations, associations, organizations or other groups of people, to influence the outcome of articles that appear on Town Meeting warrants. The person or group would be required to file disclosure forms and failure to comply would be punishable by a 1-year prison sentence and/or a $1,000 fine.

Supporters said that the bill will close a loophole that allows unlimited amounts of unreported funds by outside individuals and groups to influence and sway the town’s decision. They noted the flow of dark drowns out the vote of the local voters.

The four co-sponsors of the legislation, Reps. Simon Cataldo (D-Concord), Tom Moakley (D-Falmouth) and Sens. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth) and Julian Cyr (D-Truro), submitted joint testimony in a letter to the Election Laws Committee which heard testimony on the measure in October.

The letter said, “Our proposal is consistent with existing Massachusetts campaign finance law, which requires full disclosure of contributions and expenditures for candidates, political committees and ballot question campaigns. By extending disclosure requirements to individuals and entities aiming to influence town warrant articles, this bill would bring local governance practices in line with these established democratic norms for state-level elections, closing a loophole in Massachusetts election laws.”

The letter continued, “There is motivation for entities to use the existing loophole. Major policy decisions are made at a town meeting level. Many warrant articles concern areas where corporate and special interest groups have a direct financial stake, such as zoning laws, housing developments, telecommunication rules and environmental regulations. Without mandated transparency, these groups can present their well-funded campaigns as grassroots efforts.”