Senators seek omnibus campaign finance bill

     Associated Press
      CARSON CITY -- A Senate committee voted Wednesday to introduce an omnibus campaign finance bill imposing reforms that Nevada lawmakers have been haggling over for more than two decades.
      A draft of the plan from the Government Affairs Committee includes elements of SB97, sought by Secretary of State Dean Heller and Gov. Bob Miller; SB82 by Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas; and SB116 by Sen. Ernie Adler, D-Carson City.
      Some key provisions were left out of what amounts to a catch-all plan that no single politician can take credit for. Those provisions will be included in yet another bill that Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, is requesting.
      The omnibus bill, in line with the Heller-Miller proposal, will set a $100 reporting limit on political contributions. Earlier, key lawmakers fought over that threshold, with Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, pressing for $300. Under existing law, candidates only have to name donors of $500 or more.
      Raggio changed his mind last month, saying he was tired of the negative reactions he got when he argued the $100 threshold could have a chilling effect on potential donors.
      The proposal also limits contributors to giving $5,000 for the primary election and $5,000 for the general election. It also changes the penalty for violators of those limits from a misdemeanor to a felony. Alleged violations would be investigated by the secretary of state, instead of local district attorneys.
      The omnibus plan also would make politicians more accountable by stemming so-called soft-money contributions, and makes it illegal to make contributions in the name of another person.
      Funneling contributions through someone else is barred by federal law, but Heller has said it's not a violation under Nevada law and should be.
      Another section will require incumbents to spend down campaign warchests between campaigns.