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States of Disclosure

State ethics update — July 31

By Caitlin Ginley

Since the release of our States of Disclosure report last month, we’ve been monitoring discussions in state capitols about the need for tougher disclosure requirements — particularly among some states that came in at the bottom of our list, like West Virginia and Idaho.

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Rankings

Alabama: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Alabama

Rank: 10     |     Points: 75     |     Grade: C

Alabama Ethics Commission

Question Answer Points Notes
Requires financial disclosure filing? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)? Yes 1
Requires financial disclosure filing annually? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing for candidates? Yes 1
Employment information required? Yes 5
Employment information not narrowly defined? Yes 5
Employer/business name required? Yes 5
Employment job title required? Yes 2
Employer description required? No 0
Value range/income amount required? Yes 5
Spouse employment information required and clear? Yes 5
Officer/director information required? Yes 4
Officer/director information not narrowly defined? No 0
Officer/director entity name required? Yes 4
Officer/director entity description required? No 0
Spouse officer/director information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 2 Half points awarded because filers required to report spouse directorship, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Investment information required? Yes 3
Investment information not narrowly defined? Yes 3
Investment entity name required? Yes 3
Investment entity description required? No 0
Investment value range/holding amount required? Yes 3
Spouse investment information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1.5 Half points awarded because filers required to report spouse investment, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Client information required? Yes 2
Client name required? No 0
Client value range/income amount required? Yes 2
Spouse client information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1 Half point awarded because filers required to report spouse client, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Real-property information required? Yes 2
Real-property information not narrowly defined? Yes 2
Real-property value range/amount required? Yes 2
Spouse real-property information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1 Half point awarded because filers required to report spouse real property, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Spouse name required? Yes 2
Dependent name required? Yes 1
Financial disclosure filings in central office? Yes 1
Lawmakers not forwarded reviewer information? Yes 1
In-person appearance not required to obtain filings? Yes 1
Copy fees less than 50 cents per page? No 0
Blank disclosure form available on Web? Yes 1
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format? No 0
Late-filing penalties on the books? Yes 1
Misfiling penalties on the books? Yes 1
State has auditing authority? Yes 1
State routinely reviews filings for accuracy and completeness either through formal audit process or informal review process? Yes 1
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document? No 0


Rankings

Nevada: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Nevada

Rank: 42     |     Points: 49.5     |     Grade: F

Secretary of State, Elections Division

Question Answer Points Notes
Requires financial disclosure filing? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)? Yes 1
Requires financial disclosure filing annually? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing for candidates? Yes 1
Employment information required? Yes 5
Employment information not narrowly defined? Yes 5
Employer/business name required? Yes 5
Employment job title required? No 0
Employer description required? No 0
Value range/income amount required? No 0
Spouse employment information required and clear? Yes 5
Officer/director information required? No 0
Officer/director information not narrowly defined? No 0
Officer/director entity name required? No 0
Officer/director entity description required? No 0
Spouse officer/director information required and clear? No 0
Investment information required? Yes 1.5 Half points awarded because filers not required to differentiate stock holding from directorship.
Investment information not narrowly defined? Yes 3
Investment entity name required? Yes 3
Investment entity description required? No 0
Investment value range/holding amount required? No 0
Spouse investment information required and clear? Yes 3
Client information required? No 0
Client name required? No 0
Client value range/income amount required? No 0
Spouse client information required and clear? No 0
Real-property information required? Yes 2
Real-property information not narrowly defined? Yes 2
Real-property value range/amount required? No 0
Spouse real-property information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1 Half point awarded because filers required to report spouse real property, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Spouse name required? No 0
Dependent name required? No 0
Financial disclosure filings in central office? Yes 1
Lawmakers not forwarded reviewer information? Yes 1
In-person appearance not required to obtain filings? Yes 1
Copy fees less than 50 cents per page? Yes 1
Blank disclosure form available on Web? Yes 1
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format? Yes 3
Late-filing penalties on the books? Yes 1
Misfiling penalties on the books? Yes 1
State has auditing authority? No 0
State routinely reviews filings for accuracy and completeness either through formal audit process or informal review process? No 0
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document? No 0


Rankings

Missouri: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Missouri

Rank: 19     |     Points: 70.5     |     Grade: C

Missouri Ethics Commission

Question Answer Points Notes
Requires financial disclosure filing? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)? Yes 1
Requires financial disclosure filing annually? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing for candidates? Yes 1
Employment information required? Yes 5
Employment information not narrowly defined? Yes 5
Employer/business name required? Yes 5
Employment job title required? No 0
Employer description required? Yes 1 Half point awarded because filers only required to describe non-profit organizations, not for-profit companies.
Value range/income amount required? No 0
Spouse employment information required and clear? Yes 5
Officer/director information required? Yes 4
Officer/director information not narrowly defined? Yes 4
Officer/director entity name required? Yes 4
Officer/director entity description required? Yes 1 Half point awarded because filers not required to describe non-profit directorship entities.
Spouse officer/director information required and clear? Yes 4
Investment information required? Yes 3
Investment information not narrowly defined? Yes 3
Investment entity name required? Yes 3
Investment entity description required? Yes 1 Half point awarded because filers not required to describe company where stock is held.
Investment value range/holding amount required? No 0
Spouse investment information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1.5 Half points awarded because filers required to report spouse investment, but spouse is not always clearly indicated.
Client information required? No 0
Client name required? No 0
Client value range/income amount required? No 0
Spouse client information required and clear? No 0
Real-property information required? Yes 2
Real-property information not narrowly defined? Yes 2
Real-property value range/amount required? No 0
Spouse real-property information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1 Half point awarded because filers required to report spouse real property, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Spouse name required? Yes 2
Dependent name required? Yes 1
Financial disclosure filings in central office? Yes 1
Lawmakers not forwarded reviewer information? Yes 1
In-person appearance not required to obtain filings? Yes 1
Copy fees less than 50 cents per page? Yes 1
Blank disclosure form available on Web? Yes 1
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format? No 0
Late-filing penalties on the books? Yes 1
Misfiling penalties on the books? Yes 1
State has auditing authority? Yes 1
State routinely reviews filings for accuracy and completeness either through formal audit process or informal review process? Yes 1
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document? No 0


Rankings

State-by-state legislative financial disclosure ranking

Find out where your state ranks in our nationwide comparison of legislative financial disclosure requirements.

StatePointsRankGrade2006 Ranking1999 Ranking
Louisiana94.51A4446
Washington92.52A11
Hawaii90.53A24
Alaska884B43
Texas884B36
Arizona856B55
Georgia817B633
California78.58C712
Kansas789C824
Alabama77.510C92
New Jersey76.511C1030
Connecticut7612C1513
Arkansas7513C1118
Rhode Island7513C1513
New Mexico74.515C1226
New York7416C139
Massachusetts73.517C1318
North Carolina7118C1910
Oregon70.519C2211
Kentucky70.519C1721
Missouri70.519C1715
Wisconsin7022C196
Maryland68.523D2120
Mississippi6724D3428
Ohio6724D2323
Florida6626D2525
Delaware64.527D2421
Colorado6328D2516
South Carolina6229D2816
South Dakota6030D2740
Indiana59.531F2829
Virginia59.531F288
North Dakota58.533F3131
Tennessee57.534F3231
Pennsylvania5635F3339
Oklahoma55.536F3436
Illinois5537F3642
Montana5438F3736
Nebraska5438F3736
Minnesota53.540F3935
Maine5341F4233
Nevada49.542F4027
Iowa48.543F4145
West Virginia4544F4343
Wyoming4045F4541
New Hampshire3046F4644
Utah9.547F4749
Idaho048F4850
Michigan048F4850
Vermont048F4850

 

Rankings

Virginia: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Virginia

Rank: 31     |     Points: 59.5     |     Grade: F

Secretary of the Commonwealth

Question Answer Points Notes
Requires financial disclosure filing? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)? Yes 1
Requires financial disclosure filing annually? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing for candidates? Yes 1
Employment information required? Yes 5
Employment information not narrowly defined? No 0 Filers not required to report sources of income unless they earn $10,000 or more; not required to report positions with state or local government or advisory agencies.
Employer/business name required? Yes 5
Employment job title required? No 0
Employer description required? No 0
Value range/income amount required? No 0 Filers not required to report income range for employment. However, filers are required to report income on personal investments, accounted for in a separate survey section.
Spouse employment information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 2.5 Half points awarded because filers required to report spouse employment, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Officer/director information required? Yes 4
Officer/director information not narrowly defined? No 0 Filers not required to report uncompensated directorships.
Officer/director entity name required? Yes 4
Officer/director entity description required? No 0
Spouse officer/director information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 2 Half points awarded because filers required to report spouse directorship, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Investment information required? Yes 3
Investment information not narrowly defined? No 0 Filers not required to report investments unless own more than $10,000.
Investment entity name required? Yes 3
Investment entity description required? Yes 2
Investment value range/holding amount required? Yes 3
Spouse investment information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1.5 Half points awarded because filers required to report spouse investment, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Client information required? Yes 2 Filers required to report clients represented before state agencies. Filers also required to report real estate contracts with government agencies, which does not factor into points for this question.
Client name required? Yes 2
Client value range/income amount required? Yes 2
Spouse client information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1 Half points awarded because filers required to report spouse client, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Real-property information required? Yes 2
Real-property information not narrowly defined? Yes 2
Real-property value range/amount required? No 0
Spouse real-property information required and clear? Yes 2
Spouse name required? Yes 2
Dependent name required? Yes 1
Financial disclosure filings in central office? No 0
Lawmakers not forwarded reviewer information? No 0
In-person appearance not required to obtain filings? Yes 1
Copy fees less than 50 cents per page? No 0
Blank disclosure form available on Web? Yes 0.5 Half point awarded because blank form not available on chambers Web sites (where filings are overseen), but is on State Elections Department Web site.
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format? No 0
Late-filing penalties on the books? No 0
Misfiling penalties on the books? Yes 1
State has auditing authority? Yes 1
State routinely reviews filings for accuracy and completeness either through formal audit process or informal review process? Yes 1
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document? No 0


Rankings

New Jersey: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

New Jersey

Rank: 11     |     Points: 76.5     |     Grade: C

New Jersey State Legislature

Question Answer Points Notes
Requires financial disclosure filing? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)? Yes 1
Requires financial disclosure filing annually? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing for candidates? Yes 1
Employment information required? Yes 5
Employment information not narrowly defined? Yes 5
Employer/business name required? Yes 5
Employment job title required? No 0
Employer description required? No 0
Value range/income amount required? Yes 5
Spouse employment information required and clear? Yes 5
Officer/director information required? Yes 4
Officer/director information not narrowly defined? Yes 4
Officer/director entity name required? Yes 4
Officer/director entity description required? No 0
Spouse officer/director information required and clear? Yes 4
Investment information required? Yes 3
Investment information not narrowly defined? Yes 3
Investment entity name required? Yes 3
Investment entity description required? No 0
Investment value range/holding amount required? Yes 3
Spouse investment information required and clear? Yes 3
Client information required? No 0 No information on private clients required. However, filers required to report fees and honoraria, which does not factor into points for the question.
Client name required? No 0
Client value range/income amount required? No 0
Spouse client information required and clear? No 0
Real-property information required? Yes 2
Real-property information not narrowly defined? Yes 2
Real-property value range/amount required? Yes 1 Half point awarded because value range/amount only listed for income-producing properties.
Spouse real-property information required and clear? Yes 2
Spouse name required? No 0
Dependent name required? No 0
Financial disclosure filings in central office? Yes 1
Lawmakers not forwarded reviewer information? Yes 0.5 Change from 2006: Half point awarded because if request for hard copies is made, lawmakers are notified; but filings are available on the Web.
In-person appearance not required to obtain filings? Yes 1
Copy fees less than 50 cents per page? No 0
Blank disclosure form available on Web? Yes 1
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format? Yes 3
Late-filing penalties on the books? Yes 1
Misfiling penalties on the books? Yes 1
State has auditing authority? Yes 1
State routinely reviews filings for accuracy and completeness either through formal audit process or informal review process? Yes 0
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document? No 0


Rankings

Iowa: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Iowa

Rank: 43     |     Points: 48.5     |     Grade: F

Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board

Question Answer Points Notes
Requires financial disclosure filing? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)? Yes 1
Requires financial disclosure filing annually? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing for candidates? Yes 1
Employment information required? Yes 5
Employment information not narrowly defined? Yes 5
Employer/business name required? House -Yes; Senate - No 2.5 Half points awarded because house filers required to clearly identify employer name, but senate filers not required to report that information.
Employment job title required? Yes 2
Employer description required? Yes 2
Value range/income amount required? No 0
Spouse employment information required and clear? No 0
Officer/director information required? House -Yes; Senate - No 2 Half points awarded because house filers required to clearly identify directorships, but senate filers not required to clearly identify directorships.
Officer/director information not narrowly defined? House -Yes; Senate - No 2 Half points awarded because house filers required to clearly report all directorships, but senate filers not required to clearly identify directorships.
Officer/director entity name required? House -Yes; Senate - No 2 Half points awarded because house filers required to report directorship entity name, but senate filers not required to clearly identify directorships.
Officer/director entity description required? House -Yes; Senate - No 1 Half points awarded because house filers required to describe directorship entity, but senate filers not required to clearly identify directorships.
Spouse officer/director information required and clear? No 0
Investment information required? Yes 3
Investment information not narrowly defined? Yes 3
Investment entity name required? Yes 1 One point awarded because house filers not required to report name of stock holdings, but are required to report name of personal business interests; senate filers not required to report name for either.
Investment entity description required? Yes 2
Investment value range/holding amount required? No 0
Spouse investment information required and clear? No 0
Client information required? No 0 No information on private clients required. However, house filers required to report sale of goods to political division, which does not factor into points for this question; senate filers not required to report same.
Client name required? No 0
Client value range/income amount required? No 0
Spouse client information required and clear? No 0
Real-property information required? Yes 2
Real-property information not narrowly defined? No 0
Real-property value range/amount required? No 0
Spouse real-property information required and clear? No 0
Spouse name required? No 0
Dependent name required? No 0
Financial disclosure filings in central office? Yes 1
Lawmakers not forwarded reviewer information? Yes 1
In-person appearance not required to obtain filings? Yes 1
Copy fees less than 50 cents per page? Yes 1
Blank disclosure form available on Web? Yes 1 Change from 2006: Blank disclosure forms now available online.
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format? Yes 3
Late-filing penalties on the books? No 0
Misfiling penalties on the books? No 0
State has auditing authority? Yes 1
State routinely reviews filings for accuracy and completeness either through formal audit process or informal review process? Yes 1
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document? No 0


Rankings

Wisconsin: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Wisconsin

Rank: 22     |     Points: 70     |     Grade: C

Government Accountability Board, Ethics and Accountability Division

Question Answer Points Notes
Requires financial disclosure filing? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)? Yes 1
Requires financial disclosure filing annually? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing for candidates? Yes 1
Employment information required? Yes 5
Employment information not narrowly defined? Yes 5
Employer/business name required? Yes 5
Employment job title required? No 0
Employer description required? Yes 2
Value range/income amount required? No 0
Spouse employment information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 2.5 Half points awarded because filers required to report spouse employment, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Officer/director information required? Yes 4
Officer/director information not narrowly defined? No 0 Filers not required to report non-profit directorships.
Officer/director entity name required? Yes 4
Officer/director entity description required? No 0
Spouse officer/director information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 2 Half points awarded because filers required to report spouse directorship, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Investment information required? Yes 3
Investment information not narrowly defined? Yes 3
Investment entity name required? Yes 3
Investment entity description required? Yes 1 Half point awarded because filers not required to describe company where stock is held.
Investment value range/holding amount required? Yes 3
Spouse investment information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1.5 Half points awarded because filers required to report spouse investment, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Client information required? Yes 2
Client name required? Yes 2
Client value range/income amount required? No 0
Spouse client information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1 Half point awarded because filers required to report spouse client, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Real-property information required? Yes 2
Real-property information not narrowly defined? Yes 2
Real-property value range/amount required? No 0
Spouse real-property information required and clear? Required and Not Clear 1 Half point awarded because filers required to report spouse real property, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Spouse name required? No 0
Dependent name required? No 0
Financial disclosure filings in central office? Yes 1
Lawmakers not forwarded reviewer information? No 0
In-person appearance not required to obtain filings? Yes 1
Copy fees less than 50 cents per page? Yes 1
Blank disclosure form available on Web? Yes 1
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format? Yes 3
Late-filing penalties on the books? Yes 1
Misfiling penalties on the books? Yes 1
State has auditing authority? Yes 1
State routinely reviews filings for accuracy and completeness either through formal audit process or informal review process? Yes 1
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document? Yes 1


Rankings

Louisiana: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Louisiana

Rank: 1     |     Points: 94.5     |     Grade: A

Ethics Administration Program

QuestionAnswerPointsNotes
Requires financial disclosure filing?Yes1 
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)?Yes1 
Requires financial disclosure filing annually?Yes1 
Requires complete financial disclosure filing for candidates?Yes1Change from 2006: Candidates now required to complete financial disclosure form.
Employment information required?Yes5 
Employment information not narrowly defined?Yes5Change from 2006: Filers now required to report all full-time and part-time positions.
Employer/business name required?Yes5 
Employment job title required?Yes2Change from 2006: Filers now required to report job titles.
Employer description required?No0 
Value range/income amount required?Yes5 
Spouse employment information required and clear?Yes5 
Officer/director information required?Yes4Change from 2006: Filers now required to disclose all officer and director positions.
Officer/director information not narrowly defined?Yes4 
Officer/director entity name required?Yes4 
Officer/director entity description required?Yes2 
Spouse officer/director information required and clear?Yes4 
Investment information required?Yes3 
Investment information not narrowly defined?Yes3Change from 2006: Filers now required to report all investments exceeding $5,000.
Investment entity name required?Yes3 
Investment entity description required?Yes1Change from 2006: Half point awarded because a business description is required for Schedule B, but not for Schedule I.
Investment value range/holding amount required?Yes1.5Change from 2006: Half points awarded because filers not required to provide value or amount of investment securities.
Spouse investment information required and clear?Yes3Change from 2006: Filers now required to report real-property information.
Client information required?Yes2Change from 2006: Filers now required to report income from businesses and a description of services rendered.
Client name required?Yes2 
Client value range/income amount required?Yes2 
Spouse client information required and clear?Yes2 
Real-property information required?Yes2Change from 2006: Filers now required to report real-property information.
Real-property information not narrowly defined?Yes2 
Real-property value range/amount required?Yes2 
Spouse real-property information required and clear?Yes2 
Spouse name required?Yes2Change from 2006: Filers now required to disclose names of spouses.
Dependent name required?No0 
Financial disclosure filings in central office?Yes1 
Lawmakers not forwarded reviewer information?Yes1 
In-person appearance not required to obtain filings?Yes1 
Copy fees less than 50 cents per page?Yes1 
Blank disclosure form available on Web?Yes1Change from 2006: Blank disclosure form now available on the Web.
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format?Yes3Filings available online.
Late-filing penalties on the books?Yes1 
Misfiling penalties on the books?Yes1 
State has auditing authority?Yes1 
State routinely reviews filings for accuracy and completeness either through formal audit process or informal review process?Yes1 
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document?Yes1Change from 2006: List of delinquent filers available on the Web.


 

 

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Inside this investigation

Writers and editors

Caitlin Ginley

Staff Writer The Center for Public Integrity
cginley@publicintegrity.org

Caitlin Ginley joined the Center in July 2007 as the University of Delaware’s 10th James R. Soles Fellow.... More about Caitlin Ginley