Bills changing campaign finance rules pass Ga. House, Senate

ATLANTA (AP) Bills to change state campaign finance rules have passed each chamber of the Georgia Legislature.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Friday (http://bit.ly/1wFwfrE) that the Georgia House passed a bill loosening restrictions on campaign donations and the Senate passed a measure requiring a higher burden of proof when fining local politicians over late campaign finance reports.

The House bill would allow party caucuses in both chambers to make unlimited contributions to support a party ticket. State law currently requires caucuses to make donations through their parties to avoid donation caps. The House bill passed 166-6.

The Senate bill requires the state ethics commission to prove local politicians knowingly and willfully refused to file their campaign reports on time. The Senate bill passed 48-4.

Both bills had bipartisan support.