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.


 

 

Rankings

North Dakota: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

North Dakota

Rank: 33     |     Points: 58.5     |     Grade: F

Secretary of State, Elections

Question Answer Points Notes
Requires financial disclosure filing? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)? Yes 1
Requires financial disclosure filing annually? No 0 Filings required only as candidates.
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 detail primary occupation.
Employer/business name required? Yes 2.5 Half points awarded because filers not required to name primary source of income, only secondary source.
Employment job title required? Yes 2
Employer description required? No 0
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? 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? 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? No 0 No points awarded because filers not required to report real property unless procduces income.
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? No 0
Financial disclosure filings in central office? No 0 Filers required to file report with county auditor in county of residence; filings not forwarded to Secretary of State Elections Division, which issues forms.
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 No monetary late filing fees. However, legislators file only as candidates and if candidates do not file their name will not be on the ballot.
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? No 0
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document? No 0


Rankings

Connecticut: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Connecticut

Rank: 12     |     Points: 76     |     Grade: C

Office of State Ethics

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? No 0
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? 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 2
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? No 0
Spouse investment information required and clear? Yes 3
Client information required? No 0 No information on private clients required. However, filers required to report leases and contracts with the state, which does not factor into points for this 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? 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? 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 form now available on the Web.
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format? Yes 3 Change from 2006: Filings now available electronically.
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

West Virginia: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

West Virginia

Rank: 44     |     Points: 45     |     Grade: F

West Virginia 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? No 0
Value range/income amount required? No 0
Spouse employment information required and clear? No 0
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? No 0
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? No 0
Spouse investment information required and clear? No 0
Client information required? No 0 No information on private clients required. However, filers required to report sales and contracts with governmental agencies, 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? No 0
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
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

Maryland: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Maryland

Rank: 23     |     Points: 68.5     |     Grade: D

State 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 1 Half point awarded because filers only required to report job titles if entity does business with state.
Employer description required? No 0
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? No 0
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? No 0
Client information required? Yes 2
Client name required? Yes 2
Client value range/income amount required? Yes 2
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 2
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 0.5 Half point were awarded because filers only forwarded notification of person viewing filing upon filer request.
In-person appearance not required to obtain filings? No 0
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

Washington: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Washington

Rank: 2     |     Points: 92.5     |     Grade: A

Public Disclosure Commission

QuestionAnswerPointsNotes
Requires financial disclosure filing?Yes1 
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)?No0 
Requires financial disclosure filing annually?Yes1 
Requires complete financial disclosure filing for candidates?Yes1 
Employment information required?Yes5 
Employment information not narrowly defined?Yes5 
Employer/business name required?Yes5 
Employment job title required?Yes2 
Employer description required?No0 
Value range/income amount required?Yes5 
Spouse employment information required and clear?Yes5 
Officer/director information required?Yes4 
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?Yes3 
Investment entity name required?Yes3 
Investment entity description required?Yes1Half point awarded because filers not required to describe company where stock is held.
Investment value range/holding amount required?Yes3 
Spouse investment information required and clear?Yes3 
Client information required?Yes2Filers also required to report payments from governmental unit, which does not factor into points for this question.
Client name required?Yes2 
Client value range/income amount required?Yes1Half point awarded because filers required to report income amount/value range from government unit in which filer seeks or holds office.
Spouse client information required and clear?Yes2 
Real-property information required?Yes2 
Real-property information not narrowly defined?No0Change from 2006: Threshold triggering disclosure went up to $10,000 from $7,500.
Real-property value range/amount required?Yes2 
Spouse real-property information required and clear?Yes2Although spouse real property is not clearly indicated, this is a "community property" state, meaning that any property reported is jointly owned.
Spouse name required?Yes2 
Dependent name required?Yes0.5Filers required to report dependent name only if have reportable interests.
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?Yes1 
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format?Yes3 
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?Yes1Change from 2006: State now has an annual process that reviews a sampling of filers for completeness.
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document?Yes1 


 

Rankings

Tennessee: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Tennessee

Rank: 34     |     Points: 57.5     |     Grade: F

Registry of Election Finance

Question Answer Points Notes
Requires financial disclosure filing? Yes 1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)? Yes 0.5 Half point awarded because filers may file amendments or statements of no change for the other questions on filing.
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? 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? Yes 4
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
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? 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? 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? No 0
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
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? No 0


Rankings

Arkansas: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

Arkansas

Rank: 13     |     Points: 75     |     Grade: C

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? 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? 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 sales to governmental bodies, which does not factor into points for this 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? No 0
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? Yes 2
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? Yes 1
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


Pages

Inside this investigation

Writers and editors

Caitlin Ginley

Staff Writer The Center for Public Integrity

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