The Senate Judiciary Committee took the first step in repealing the Arizona Clean Elections Act. The measure would eliminate the program but retain the money.

The bill would still keep the 10 cent surcharge on civil and criminal penalties which fund clean elections, but now the money would be transferred to the Department of Education. The repeal still has to pass the Senate and House before it can be sent to voters in the next general election.

It has to go on the ballot because it was created by voters in 1998. The commission distributes money to candidates running for public office as long as they meet certain requirements.