SACRAMENTO — Lawmakers have rejected a campaign disclosure bill that would have required top donors to be identified in television, radio and print advertisements.
The Assembly on Tuesday failed to pass AB1148, which fell two votes short of the two-thirds needed, 52-26.
Democratic Assemblywoman Julia Brownley of Santa Monica said her bill would have demanded more transparency as special interests take advantage of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case, which grants political speech rights to corporations.
Republican Assemblyman Donald Wagner of Irvine said the bill would have taken the state in the wrong direction and driven campaign spending underground.
The bill would have specified the size and color of printed disclosures, as well as the duration for which they must appear.
