Buescher halts department’s Amendment 54 rulemaking

Judge’s order strikes campaign finance provisions

Denver, August 5, 2009 – Today, Secretary of State Bernie Buescher terminated the rulemaking process aimed at clarifying provisions of Amendment 54, which was passed by voters last November. Buescher had drafted proposed rules and held a public hearing related to implementation of the constitutional amendment.

The proposed rule would have clarified the amendment pertaining to sole source contracts. Amendment 54 broadly sought to prevent persons with sole source contracts and their family members from contributing to candidates.

However, amid a court challenge, last month a Denver District court judge ruled that the amendment was unconstitutional, except for one of the sections of the amendment that required a list of sole source contracts be maintained by the Department of Personnel and Administration.

“The judge’s ruling eliminated the campaign finance provisions and ultimately the jurisdiction of my office,” Buescher said. “If a final ruling restores jurisdiction, we will make rules as appropriate in order to implement Amendment 54.”

For more information related to Amendment 54 or the rulemaking process, please visit www.sos.state.co.us.