Successful Year for Backers of Public, Campaign Record Disclosure

BOSTON (AP) — It’s turning out to be a successful year for activists pushing for greater disclosure of public and campaign information on Beacon Hill.

Just weeks after Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed the first major overhaul of the state’s public records law in more than four decades, the Massachusetts House approved a series of bills supporters say will strengthen campaign finance and disclosure regulations.

One of the bills would update a 2014 state law designed to help identify donors to political action committees known as super PACs.

That law required the top five donors who give more than $5,000 to a PAC TO be identified in that PAC’s television, print and internet ads.

One of the bills approved Wednesday would expand the top five donor requirement to include certain mailings and billboards.