In what some might call a move into the 21st century, the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives approved legislation on Tuesday to require candidates for a state office to file their campaign finance reports electronically, instead of on paper.

Although most candidates and political action committees already file their reports electronically, the bill only squeezed through along party lines, 102-101, and now heads to the state Senate.

Rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery), one of the sponsors of the bill, said “papering filing of campaign finance reports is outdated, costly, and inefficient. Requiring electronic filing would not only improve government transparency and accountability, but it would also reduce existing costs to the Commonwealth.”

The legislation also removes the requirement of filing with the county board of elections and permits campaigns with leftover funds to donate them to nonprofits.

The state Department of State, which oversees election administration in Pennsylvania, would be responsible for maintaining a searchable site for filing, and any training associated with using the database for campaigns.

The measure would increase the late filing fees for missing deadlines to $20 per day for the first six days late and $100 per day for day seven and each day after. There would be a maximum penalty of $500.