Rankings from The Center for Public Integrity

State-by-state legislative financial disclosure ranking

2012-06-05T16:40:53-04:00

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

State	Points	Rank	Grade	2006 Ranking	1999 Ranking
Louisiana	94.5	1	A	44	46
Washington	92.5	2	A	1	1
Hawaii	90.5	3	A	2	4
Alaska	88	4	B	4	3
Texas	88	4	B	3	6
Arizona	85	6	B	5	5
Georgia	81	7	B	6	33
California	78.5	8	C	7	12
Kansas	78	9	C	8	24
Alabama	77.5	10	C	9	2
New Jersey	76.5	11	C	10	30
Connecticut	76	12	C	15	13
Arkansas	75	13	C	11	18
Rhode Island	75	13	C	15	13
New Mexico	74.5	15	C	12	26
New York	74	16	C	13	9
Massachusetts	73.5	17	C	13	18
North Carolina	71	18	C	19	10
Oregon	70.5	19	C	22	11
Kentucky	70.5	19	C	17	21
Missouri	70.5	19	C	17	15
Wisconsin	70	22	C	19	6
Maryland	68.5	23	D	21	20
Mississippi	67	24	D	34	28
Ohio	67	24	D	23	23
Florida	66	26	D	25	25
Delaware	64.5	27	D	24	21
Colorado	63	28	D	25	16
South Carolina	62	29	D	28	16
South Dakota	60	30	D	27	40
Indiana	59.5	31	F	28	29
Virginia	59.5	31	F	28	8
North Dakota	58.5	33	F	31	31
Tennessee	57.5	34	F	32	31
Pennsylvania	56	35	F	33	39
Oklahoma	55.5	36	F	34	36
Illinois	55	37	F	36	42
Montana	54	38	F	37	36
Nebraska	54	38	F	37	36
Minnesota	53.5	40	F	39	35
Maine	53	41	F	42	33
Nevada	49.5	42	F	40	27
Iowa	48.5	43	F	41	45
West Virginia	45	44	F	43	43
Wyoming	40	45	F	45	41
New Hampshire	30	46	F	46	44
Utah	9.5	47	F	47	49
Idaho	0	48	F	48	50
Michigan	0	48	F	48	50
Vermont	0	48	F	48	50

South Carolina: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

2012-06-05T15:21:37-04:00

South Carolina

Rank: 29 | Points: 62 | Grade: D

South Carolina 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?	No	0
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?	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
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	Filers also required to report government contracts, 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 information, but spouse is not clearly indicated.
Real-property information required?	Yes	2
Real-property information not narrowly defined?	No	0
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?	No	0
Dependent name required?	No	0
Financial disclosure filings in central office?	Yes	1	Change from 2006: State now keeps filings in a central database.
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	0.5	Half point awarded because State Ethics Commission charges 50 cents per page, but individual chambers charge 20 cents per page.
Blank disclosure form available on Web?	Yes	0.5	Half point awarded because blank form is available on State Ethics Commission website, but not on Senate or House Ethics Commission website.
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format?	Yes	3	Change from 2006: Filings now available on the Web.
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

Georgia: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

2012-06-05T14:23:12-04:00

Georgia

Rank: 7 | Points: 81 | Grade: B

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	2
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?	No	0	Filers not required to report investments unless own 10 percent or more than $20,000.
Investment entity name required?	Yes	3
Investment entity description required?	Yes	2
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 annual payments from 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?	Yes	2
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
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

Minnesota: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

2012-06-05T15:58:42-04:00

Minnesota

Rank: 40 | Points: 53.5 | Grade: F

Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board

Question	Answer	Points	Notes
Requires financial disclosure filing?	Yes	1
Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)?	No	0	Filers submit supplementary statement if most recent filing has changed.
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?	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
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?	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	0.5	Half point awarded because mailed copies are 50 cents per page; in-office copies are 10 cents per page.
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

Oregon: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

2012-06-05T15:00:26-04:00

Oregon

Rank: 19 | Points: 70.5 | Grade: C

Oregon Government 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	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?	No	0
Officer/director entity name required?	Yes	4
Officer/director entity description required?	Yes	2
Spouse officer/director information required and clear?	Yes	4	Change from 2006: Spouse is now 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	2
Investment value range/holding amount required?	No	0
Spouse investment information required and clear?	Required and Not Clear	1.5	Half points awarded because spouse investment information is required, but not clearly indicated on form.
Client information required?	Yes	2	Filers required to report clients if have a legislative interest.
Client name required?	Yes	2
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 spouse real-property information is required but not clearly indicated on form.
Spouse name required?	No	0	Ethics reform in 2007 required legislators to disclose names of relative and household members, but this provision was removed in the 2009 legislative session. Names of relatives and household members that are listed on the 2008 and 2009 disclosure forms will be blocked out.
Dependent name required?	No	0	Ethics reform in 2007 required legislators to disclose names of relative and household members, but this provision was removed in the 2009 legislative session. Names of relatives and household members that are listed on the 2008 and 2009 disclosure forms will be blocked out.
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	Change from 2006: State now has audit authority.
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

South Dakota: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

2012-06-05T15:23:21-04:00

South Dakota

Rank: 30 | Points: 60 | Grade: D

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?	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?	Yes	5
Employer/business name required?	Yes	5
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?	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?	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?	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?	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	1
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document?	No	0

Kansas: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

2012-06-05T14:24:58-04:00

Kansas

Rank: 9 | Points: 78 | Grade: C

Secretary of State, Elections & Legislative

Question	Answer	Points
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?	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?	Yes	2
Investment value range/holding amount required?	No	0
Spouse investment information required and clear?	Yes	3
Client information required?	Yes	2
Client name required?	Yes	2
Client value range/income amount required?	No	0
Spouse client information required and clear?	Yes	2
Real-property information required?	Yes	2
Real-property information not narrowly defined?	No	0
Real-property value range/amount required?	Yes	2
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?	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

Maine: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

2012-06-05T15:59:52-04:00

Maine

Rank: 41 | Points: 53 | Grade: F

Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics & Election Practices

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	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 not required to report name of the business.
Officer/director information required?	No	0	Changes will take effect in 2010 to require reporting of officer/director information.
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	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?	Required and Not Clear	1.5	Half points awarded because the filers not required to name spouse investments.
Client information required?	Yes	2	Filers required to report business with state agencies, though this does not factor into points for this question.
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 not required to report name of spouse client and 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?	Yes	2	Change from 2006: Filer now required to report name of spouse.
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 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 online.
Late-filing penalties on the books?	Yes	1	Change from 2006: Statute now includes late-filing penalty.
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

Kentucky: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

2012-06-05T15:02:10-04:00

Kentucky

Rank: 19 | Points: 70.5 | Grade: C

Legislative 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?	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?	Required and Not Clear	2	Half points awarded because filers not required to report uncompensated spouse directorship.
Investment information required?	Yes	3
Investment information not narrowly defined?	No	0	Filers not required to report investments unless own 5 percent or at least $10,000.
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 investments not clearly indicated.
Client information required?	Yes	2	Filers required to report clients who are lobbyists or lobbyist employers.
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?	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	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	Change from 2006: Filings now available on the Web.
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

Indiana: Legislative financial disclosure ranking

2012-06-05T15:24:47-04:00

Indiana

Rank: 31 | Points: 59.5 | Grade: F

General Assembly

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 exceed 33% of non-legislative income.
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?	No	0	Filers not required to report stock holding unless own $10,000 or more.
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?	Yes	3
Client information required?	Yes	2	Filers required to report clients who hold business interests involved with the state.
Client name required?	Yes	2
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?	No	0
Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format?	Yes	1.5	Half points awarded because house provides filings online, but senate does not.
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?	No	0
State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document?	No	0