NJ lawmakers advance bill seeking donor disclosure

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey lawmakers advanced legislation requiring independent expenditure committees to disclose their donors.

The Democrat-led Senate Budget Committee advanced the bipartisan bill on Thursday.

The measure requires advocacy groups that seek to influence elections to disclose where their donations come from.

Election Law Enforcement Commission executive director Jeff Brindle testified that such donations have mushroomed in recent years. He says a record $49 million was spent by such groups in last year's midterm elections in New Jersey.

The legislation also calls for increasing the amounts that can be donated to candidates and parties. Among the changes under the bill is an increase from $2,600 to $3,000 in what individuals, unions or companies could donate to a political candidate.