H868 — An Act improving campaign finance reporting by state ballot question committees

Summary

An Act improving campaign finance reporting by state ballot question committees

Bill Text

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The bill updates campaign finance laws by defining in-kind contributions and changing reporting requirements for ballot question committees and independent expenditure PACs.

• Chapter 55, Section 1

  “In-kind contribution”, anything of value that is provided to a committee or candidate in a non-monetary form, including but not limited to: (1) the value of goods or services provided free of charge; (2) the difference between the cost charged and the usual market value charged; or (3) the amount paid by a person or entity on behalf of the committee or candidate.

  This addition defines what constitutes an in-kind contribution in campaign finance.

• Chapter 55, Section 18(a)(4)

  , independent expenditure PACs organized pursuant to section 18A and political committees organized under the provisions of section 5 to favor or oppose a question submitted to the voters, if the question appears on the ballot at the state election → and independent expenditure PACs organized pursuant to section 18A.

  This change limits the scope of certain political committees to independent expenditure PACs when discussing contributions.

• Chapter 55, Section 18(a)

  paragraph (5)

  This removal eliminates the fifth paragraph of subsection (a), which presumably pertained to a specific regulation or requirement.

• Chapter 55, Section 19(a)

  , the treasurer of each ballot question committee, if the question appears on the ballot at the state election.

  This addition requires the treasurer of ballot question committees to be identified alongside candidates.

• Chapter 55, Section 19(b)(2)

  In addition, a ballot question committee, if the question appears on the ballot at the state election, shall include the following information: (i) a list of all in-kind contributions of more than $50 received as of the last day of the preceding month and since the last statement, including an alphabetical list of names and addresses of each person making such contribution, the date received, the type of in-kind contribution and the value of the in-kind contribution; and (ii) a list of new liabilities incurred as of the last day of the preceding month, including the name and address of the person to whom the liability exists, together with a clear statement of purpose for which it was incurred.

  This addition mandates disclosure of in-kind contributions and liabilities for ballot question committees.

• Chapter 55, Section 22

  the third paragraph → If the question appears on the ballot at the state election, the report shall be filed with the director as follows: (1) by the fifth day of each month covering the preceding month until the sixtieth day before the election; (2) the sixtieth day before the election; (3) on or before the fifth and twentieth day of each month, complete as of the preceding first and fifteenth day of the month, until the election; (4) the twentieth day of November following the election, complete as of the fifteenth day of the month; and (5) the twentieth day of January of each year, complete as of December 31 of the prior year, until all declared liabilities of that person or corporation, association, organization or other group of persons have been discharged.

  This change modifies the reporting schedule and requirements for entities involved with ballot questions.

Sponsors

• Daniel J. Ryan · Primary

Subjects