SB 252 — AN ACT CONCERNING REFERENDA, INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AND OTHER CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHANGES.

If no such LCOinitial contribution or disbursement, as described in subdivision (15) of sSB252 / File No.

1905482 9 ofsSB252 39File RaisedNo. Bill No.252 initial contribution or disbursement, as described in subdivision (15) of thissubsection, hasbeenmadeat thetimeofthe filing ofsuchstatement, thetreasurerofthecommitteeshall,notlaterthanforty-eighthoursafter receipt of such contribution or disbursement, file a report with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

482 thissubsection, hasbeenmadeat thetimeofthe filing ofsuchstatement, thetreasurerofthecommitteeshall,notlaterthanforty-eighthoursafter receipt of such contribution or disbursement, file a report with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

and (iv) for an independent expenditure political committee, the promoting of a political party, the success or defeat of LCOcandidates for nomination or election to public office or position subject sSB252 / File No.

1905482 10 ofsSB252 39File RaisedNo. Bill No.252 candidates for nomination or election to public office or position subject to the requirements of this chapter or the success or defeat of referendum questions, and (B) "immediate family" means a spouse or dependent child of a candidate who resides in the candidate's household.

482 to the requirements of this chapter or the success or defeat of referendum questions, and (B) "immediate family" means a spouse or dependent child of a candidate who resides in the candidate's household.

If two or more substantially similar referenda on the same issue are LCOsubmitted to the electorate, each no more than six months apart, the sSB252 / File No.

1905482 11 ofsSB252 39File Raised Bill No.

252482 submitted to the electorate, each no more than six months apart, the committee shall expend such surplus within ninety days following the date of the last such referendum;

LCO[(c) No individual shall make contributions to such candidates or sSB252 / File No.

1905482 12 ofsSB252 39File RaisedNo. Bill No.252 [(c) No individual shall make contributions to such candidates or committees which in the aggregate exceed thirty thousand dollars for any single election and primary preliminary to such election.] [(d)] (c) No individual shall make a contribution to any candidate or committee, other than a contribution in kind, in excess of one hundred dollars except by personal check or credit card of that individual.

482 committees which in the aggregate exceed thirty thousand dollars for any single election and primary preliminary to such election.] [(d)] (c) No individual shall make a contribution to any candidate or committee, other than a contribution in kind, in excess of one hundred dollars except by personal check or credit card of that individual.

[,] or one thousand dollars to any other political committee [other than (1)] except (A) a political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, [(2)] (B) an exploratory committee, [(3)] (C) a political committee established by an LCOorganization, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request, or [(4)] (D) a political committee formed by a sSB252 / File No.

1905482 13 ofsSB252 39File RaisedNo. Bill No.252 organization, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request, or [(4)] (D) a political committee formed by a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace of the same town.

482 slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace of the same town.

[No] A business entity shall not make any other contributions or expenditures to promote the success or defeat of LCOany No.political party.

1905 14 of 39 Raised Bill No.252 any political party.

No] A business entity shall not establish more than one political committee.sSB252 / File No.

482 14 sSB252 File No.

482 committee.

[(c) The provisions of this section shall not preclude a business entity from making contributions or expenditures to promote the success or defeat of a referendum question.] [(d)][(d) (c)A] [A](c) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, a political committee organized by a business entity shall not make a contribution or contributions to or for the benefit of any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or any candidate's campaign for election to the office of:

The limits imposed by this subsection shall apply separately to primaries and elections and contributions by any such committee to candidates designated in this subsection shall not exceed one hundred thousand LCOdollars No.in the aggregate for any single election and primary preliminary thereto.

1905Contributions 15to ofsuch 39committees Raisedshall Billalso No.252be dollarssubject into the aggregatesSB252 for/ anyFile singleNo. election and primary preliminary thereto.

Contributions482 to15 suchsSB252 committeesFile shallNo. also be subject to the provisions of section 9-618, as amended by this act, in the case of committees formed for ongoing political activity or section 9-619, as amended by this act, in the case of committees formed for a single election or primary.

[(e)]482 (d)provisions [No] Except as provided in subsection (f) of thissection section,9-618, aas politicalamended committee organized by athis businessact, entityin shallthe notcase makeof acommittees contributionformed orfor contributionsongoing to (1) a state central committee of a political party,activity inor excesssection of9-619, sevenas thousandamended fiveby hundredthis dollarsact, in anythe calendarcase year, (2) a town committee of anycommittees politicalformed party,for ina excesssingle ofelection one thousand five hundred dollars in any calendar year, (3) an exploratory committee in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars, or (4)primary. any other kind of political committee, in excess of two thousand dollars in any calendar year.

[(e) No] (d) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, a political committee organized by a business entity shall not make a contribution or contributions to (1) a state central committee of a political party, in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars in any calendar year, (2) a town committee of any political party, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars in any calendar year, (3) an exploratory committee in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars, or (4) any other kind of political committee, in excess of two thousand dollars in any calendar year.

LCO(2) No.An independent expenditure political committee organized by a businessentityshallnotmakeanycontributionunlesssuchcontribution is to another independent expenditure political committee.

1905sSB252 16/ ofFile 39No. Raised Bill No.252 (2) An independent expenditure political committee organized by a businessentityshallnotmakeanycontributionunlesssuchcontribution is to another independent expenditure political committee.

Sec.482 16 sSB252 File No.

482 Sec.

(a) An organization may make contributions or expenditures, other than [those made to promote] for the purposespurpose of promoting the success or defeat of a referendum question, only by first forming its own political committee.

Upon such LCOfiling, No.the treasurer may receive voluntary contributions from any member of the organization which established such committee subject to the limitations imposed in subsection (b) of section 9-612, as amended by this act.

1905sSB252 17/ ofFile 39 Raised Bill No.

252482 filing,17 thesSB252 treasurerFile mayNo. receive voluntary contributions from any member of the organization which established such committee subject to the limitations imposed in subsection (b) of section 9-612, as amended by this act.

482 (c) The chairperson of each political committee established by an organization on or after July 1, 1985, shall designate the manner in which the committee shall be funded in the committee's statement of organization.

LCO(c) No.The limits imposed by subsection (a) of this section shall apply separately to primaries and elections and no such committee shall make contributions to the candidates designated in this section which in the aggregate exceed fifty thousand dollars for any single election and primary preliminary thereto.

1905sSB252 18/ ofFile 39No. Raised Bill No.252 (c) The limits imposed by subsection (a) of this section shall apply separately to primaries and elections and no such committee shall make contributions to the candidates designated in this section which in the aggregate exceed fifty thousand dollars for any single election and primary preliminary thereto.

(d)482 [No]18 ExceptsSB252 asFile providedNo. in subsection (f) of this section, a political committee established by an organization shall not make contributions in any one calendar year to, or for the benefit of, (1) the state central committee of a political party, in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars;

482 (d) [No] Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, a political committee established by an organization shall not make contributions in any one calendar year to, or for the benefit of, (1) the state central committee of a political party, in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars;

Except as provided in subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of this section, no such political committee shall make a contribution or contributions in excess of two thousand dollars to anotherpoliticalcommitteeinanycalendaryear.Nopoliticalcommittee organized for ongoing political activities shall make a contribution in LCOexcess No.of three hundred seventy-five dollars to an exploratory committee.

1905 19 of 39 Raised Bill No.252 excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars to an exploratory committee.

A political committee organized for ongoing political activities may make [contributions] donations to a charitable organization which is a tax-exemptsSB252 organization/ underFile SectionNo. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as from time to time amended, or make memorial [contributions] donations.

482 19 sSB252 File No.

482 tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as from time to time amended, or make memorial [contributions] donations.

Section 9-620 of the general statutes is repealed and the LCOfollowing No.is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

1905(a) 20[A political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of 39a Raisedreferendum Billquestion No.252shall followingnot ismake substitutedcontributions into, lieuor thereoffor (Effectivethe frombenefit passage):of, a party committee, a political committee, a national committee, a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office sSB252 / File No.

(a)482 [A20 politicalsSB252 committeeFile formedNo. solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question shall not make contributions to, or for the benefit of, a party committee, a political committee, a national committee, a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office or a candidate committee, except in the distribution of a surplus, as provided in subsection (e) of section 9-608.] Subject to the provisions of this chapter, any person may establish an independent expenditure political committee that may only make expenditures without the consent, coordination or consultation of a candidate or agent of the candidate, candidate committee, party committee or political committee.

482 or a candidate committee, except in the distribution of a surplus, as provided in subsection (e) of section 9-608.] Subject to the provisions of this chapter, any person may establish an independent expenditure political committee that may only make expenditures without the consent, coordination or consultation of a candidate or agent of the candidate, candidate committee, party committee or political committee.

(b) [A political committee formed solely to aidaidor or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question shall not receive contributions from a national committee or from a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office] Any person may establish an independent expenditure political committee solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a single referendum question, or of multiple referendum questions submitted to a vote on the same date.

(c) [No person, other than an individual or a committee, shall make a contributionto a politicalcommittee formedsolely to aidor promotethe success or defeat of a referendum question, or to any other person, to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, in excess of ten cents for each individual residing in the state or political subdivision thereof in which such referendum question is to be voted upon, in accordance with the last federal decennial census] Except as LCOprovided No.in this section, an independent expenditure political committee shall not make contributions to, or for the benefit of, a party committee, a political committee, a national committee, a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office or a candidate committee.

1905(d) 21Notwithstanding ofthe 39provisions Raisedof Bill No.252 provided in this section, an independent expendituresSB252 political/ committeeFile shallNo. not make contributions to, or for the benefit of, a party committee, a political committee, a national committee, a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office or a candidate committee.

(d)482 Notwithstanding21 thesSB252 provisionsFile ofNo. this section, an independent expenditure political committee may make contributions to another independent expenditure political committee, make donations to any organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended from time to time, and refund contributions to contributors.

482 expenditure political committee may make contributions to another independent expenditure political committee, make donations to any organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended from time to time, and refund contributions to contributors.

[(3)] (C) in the case of a party committee, the name of the LCOcommittee; No.

1905 22 of 39 Raised Bill No.252 committee;

(A) A video broadcast by television, satellite or Internet which promotessSB252 the/ successFile orNo. defeat of any referendum question unless such video is accompanied by the disclaimer described in subdivision (2) of subsection (h) of this section;

482 22 sSB252 File No.

482 promotes the success or defeat of any referendum question unless such video is accompanied by the disclaimer described in subdivision (2) of subsection (h) of this section;

(h) (1) No person shall make or incur an independent expenditure for any written, typed or other printed communication, including on a billboard, or any web-based, written communication, which promotes LCOthe No.success or defeat of any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or for election, unless such communication bears upon its face, as a disclaimer, the words "Paid for by" and the name of such person and the following statement:

1905"This 23message ofwas 39made Raisedindependent Bill No.252 the success or defeat of any candidate'scandidate campaign for nomination at a primary or election,political unlessparty.". such communication bears upon its face, as a disclaimer, the words "Paid for by" and the name of such person and the following statement:

"ThisIn messagethe wascase made independent of anya candidateperson or politicalparty.".In thecase of aperson making or incurring such an independent expenditure during the ninety-day period immediately prior to the primary or election for which the independentsSB252 expenditure/ isFile made,No. such communication shall also bear upon its face the names of the five persons who made the five largest aggregate covered transfers to the person making such communication during the twelve-month period immediately prior to such primary or election, as applicable.

The482 communication23 shallsSB252 alsoFile stateNo. that additional information about the person making such communication may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission's Internet web site.

482 independent expenditure is made, such communication shall also bear upon its face the names of the five persons who made the five largest aggregate covered transfers to the person making such communication during the twelve-month period immediately prior to such primary or election, as applicable.

The communication shall also state that additional information about the person making such communication may befoundontheState ElectionsEnforcement Commission'sInternet web site.

(l) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no person making an independent expenditure for a communication shall be required to list as part of any disclaimer pursuant to this section any person whose covered transfers to the maker of the communication are not in an aggregate amount of five thousand dollars or more during the twelve- LCOmonth No.period immediately prior to the primary, [or] election or referendum, as applicable, for which such independent expenditure is made.

1905 24 of 39 Raised Bill No.252 month period immediately prior to the primary, [or] election or referendum, as applicable, for which such independent expenditure is made.

(g)(1)(A)InthecaseofawrittencomplaintfiledwiththecommissionsSB252 pursuant/ toFile sectionNo. 9-7b, commission staff shall conduct and complete a preliminary examination of such complaint by the fourteenth day following its receipt, atwhich time such staff shall, at its discretion, [(A)] (i) dismiss the complaint for failure to allege any substantial violation of state election law supported by evidence, [(B)] (ii) engage the respondent in discussions in an effort to speedily resolve any matter pertaining to a de minimis violation, or [(C)] (iii) investigate and docket the complaint for a determination by the commission that probable cause or no probable cause exists for any such violation.

If482 commission24 staffsSB252 dismissesFile aNo. complaint pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) of this subdivision, such staff shall provide a brief written statement concisely setting forth the reasons for such dismissal.

If482 commission(g)(1)(A)Inthecaseofawrittencomplaintfiledwiththecommission staff engages a respondent pursuant to subparagraphsection [(B)]9-7b, (A)(ii)commission ofstaff thisshall subdivisionconduct butand iscomplete unablea topreliminary speedilyexamination resolveof any such mattercomplaint described in said subparagraph by the forty-fifthfourteenth day following receiptits ofreceipt, theatwhich complaint,time such staff shallshall, docketat suchits complaintdiscretion, for[(A)] a(i) determinationdismiss by the commissioncomplaint thatfor probablefailure causeto orallege noany probablesubstantial causeviolation existsof forstate anyelection violationofstatelaw electionlaw.Ifsupported thecommissiondoesnot,byby thesixtiethevidence, day[(B)] following(ii) receiptengage of the complaint,respondent eitherin issuediscussions ain decisionan oreffort renderto itsspeedily determinationthatprobableresolve cause or no probable cause exists for any violationmatter ofpertaining stateto electiona laws,de theminimis complainantviolation, or respondent[(C)] may(iii) applyinvestigate toand thedocket superior court for the judicialcomplaint district of Hartford for ana orderdetermination toby show cause why the commission hasthat notprobable actedcause uponor theno complaintprobable andcause toexists providefor evidenceany thatsuch theviolation. commission has unreasonably delayed action.

(B)(i)ForanycomplaintreceivedonorIf afterJanuary1,2018,butpriorcommission LCOstaff No.dismisses a complaint pursuant to subparagraph [(A)] (A)(i) of this subdivision, such staff shall provide a brief written statement concisely setting forth the reasons for such dismissal.

1905If 25commission ofstaff 39engages Raiseda Billrespondent No.252pursuant to Julysubparagraph 1,[(B)] 2024,(A)(ii) ifof thethis commissionsubdivision doesbut not,is byunable oneto yearspeedily followingresolve receiptany of such complaint,matter issuedescribed ain decisionsaid thereon,subparagraph by the commissionforty-fifth shallday dismisssuchfollowing complaint,receipt providedthelengthoftimeof ofanythe delaycomplaint, causedsuch bystaff [(i)]shall (I)docket thesuch commissioncomplaint orfor commissiona staffdetermination grantingby anythe extensioncommission orthat continuanceprobable tocause aor respondentno priorprobable tocause theexists issuancefor of any suchviolation decision,ofstate [(ii)]electionlaw.If (II)thecommissiondoesnot,by anythesixtieth subpoenaday issuedfollowing inreceipt connectionof withthe such complaint, [(iii)]either (III)issue anya litigationdecision in state or federalrender courtits relateddeterminationthatprobable tocause suchor complaint,no orprobable [(iv)]cause (IV)exists for any investigationviolation by,of orstate consultationelection oflaws, the commissioncomplainant or commissionrespondent staffmay with,apply to the Chiefsuperior State'scourt Attorney,for the Attorneyjudicial General,district theof UnitedHartford Statesfor Departmentan oforder Justiceto orshow cause why the Unitedcommission Stateshas Attorneynot foracted Connecticutupon relatedthe complaint and to suchprovide complaint,evidence shallthat bethe addedcommission tohas suchunreasonably onedelayed year.action.

(ii)(B)(i)ForanycomplaintreceivedonorafterJanuary1,2018, Forbutprior anyto complaint received on or after July 1, 2023,2024, if the commission does not, by one year following receipt of such complaint, findissue reason to believe that a violationdecision ofthereon, state election law has been committed and commence a contested case, as defined in section 4-166, the commission shall dismissdismisssuch such complaint, providedprovidedthelengthoftime theofany length of time of any delay caused by [(i)] (I) the commission or commission staff granting any extension or continuance to a respondent prior to the issuance of any such decision, [(ii)] (II) any subpoena issued in connection with such complaint, [(iii)] (III) any litigation in state or federal court related to such complaint, (IV) any investigation by the commission or commission[(iv)] staff(IV) involving a potential violation of section 9-601c, as amended by this act, or 9-601d, as amended by this act, or (V) any investigation by, or consultation of the commissionsSB252 or/ commissionFile staffNo. with, the Chief State's Attorney, the Attorney General, the United States Department of Justice or the United States Attorney for Connecticut related to such complaint, shall be added to such one year.

482 25 sSB252 File No.

482 commission or commission staff with, the Chief State's Attorney, the Attorney General, the United States Department of Justice or the United States Attorney for Connecticut related to such complaint, shall be added to such one year.

(ii) For any complaint received on or after July 1, 2024, if the commission does not, by one year following receipt of such complaint, find reason to believe that a violation of state election law has been committed and commence a contested case, as defined in section 4-166, the commission shall dismiss such complaint, provided the length of time of any delay caused by (I) the commission or commission staff granting any extension or continuance to a respondent prior to such finding of reason to believe, (II) any subpoena issued in connection with such complaint, (III) any litigation in state or federal court related to such complaint, (IV) any investigation by the commission or commission staff involving a potential violation of section 9-601c, as amended by this act, or 9-601d, as amended by this act, or (V) any investigation by, or consultation of the commission or commission staff with, the Chief State's Attorney, the Attorney General, the United States Department of Justice or the United States Attorney for Connecticut related to such complaint, shall be added to such one year.

SubdivisionSubsection (18)(a) of section 53a-1199-611 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(18)(a) FailureNo individual shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to repaythe surplusauthorization Citizens'or Electionrequest Fundof, granta funds.candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate's campaign for election, to the office of (1) Governor, in excess of three thousand five hundred dollars;

A(2) personLieutenant isGovernor, guiltySecretary of failurethe toState, repayTreasurer, surplusComptroller Citizens'or ElectionAttorney FundGeneral, grantin LCOexcess No.of two thousand dollars;

1905(3) 26chief ofexecutive 39officer Raisedof Bill No.252 funds when such person fails to return to the Citizens' Election Fund any surplus funds from a granttown, madecity pursuant to sections 9-700 to 9- 716, inclusive, [not later than ninety days after the primary or electionborough, forin whichexcess the grant is made] within the time prescribed for the distribution of surplusone underthousand subdivisiondollars; (1) of subsection (e) of section 9-608, as amended by this act.

(4) [state senator or] probate judge, in excess of one thousand dollars;

or (5) state senator or state representative or any other sSB252 / File No.

482 26 sSB252 File No.

482 office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of two hundred fifty dollars.

The limits imposed by this subsection shall be applied separately to primaries and elections.

SubsectionSection (a) of section 9-704 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(1) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, [of which] including contributions in the aggregate amount of which two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars [ormoreiscontributedby]fromatleasttwothousandtwohundredfiftyor individualsmore residingis incontributed theby state,individuals exceptresiding that in the casestate. of a primary or election held in 2022, or thereafter, the aggregate contribution amounts shall be first adjusted under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section and then rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars with exactly fifty dollars rounded upward.

[, except that in the case of a primary or election held in 2022, or thereafter, the aggregate contribution amounts shall be first adjusted under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section and then rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars with exactly fifty dollars rounded upward.] The provisions of this subdivision shall be subject to the following:

(A) Except as provided in subparagraph[subparagraph (C) of this subdivision andand] subsection (g) of section 9-610, (i) on and after January 1, 2019, the candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including saidcandidate,said candidate, that exceedstwoexceeds hundredfiftytwo dollars,andhundred fifty dollars, and (ii) any such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amounts under this subdivision, and (B) all contributions received by (i) an exploratory committee established by said candidate, or (ii) an exploratory committee or candidate committee of a candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor who is deemed to be jointly campaigning with a candidate for nomination or election to LCOthe No.office of Governor under subsection (a) of section 9-709, which meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amounts.

1905[, 27 of 39 Raised Bill No.252 the office of Governor under subsection (a) of section 9-709, which meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amounts, and (C) in the case of a primary or election held in 2022, or thereafter, thesSB252 two-hundred-fifty-dollar/ maximumFile individualNo. contribution amount provided in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be first adjusted under subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section and then rounded to the nearest multiple of ten dollars with exactly five dollars rounded upward, provided such adjusted and rounded amount shall not exceed the applicable contribution limit set forth in subsection (a) of section 9-611, as amended by this act.

(2)482 In27 thesSB252 caseFile ofNo. a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of seventy-five thousand dollars, [of which] including contributions in the aggregate amount of sixty-seven thousand five hundred dollars [or more is contributed by] from at least six hundred seventy-five individuals residing in the state, except that in the case of a primary or election for Lieutenant Governor held in 2022, or thereafter, the aggregate contribution amounts shall be first adjusted under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section and then rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars with exactly fifty dollars rounded upward and in the case of a primary or election for Attorney General,State Comptroller,State Treasurer or Secretary oftheStateheld in 2018, or thereafter, the aggregate contribution amounts shall be first adjusted under subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section and then roundedtothenearestmultipleofonehundreddollarswithexactlyfifty dollars rounded upward.

The482 provisionsthetwo-hundred-fifty-dollarmaximumindividualcontributionamount provided in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be subjectfirst adjusted under subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section and then rounded to the following:nearest multiple of ten dollars with exactly five dollars rounded upward.] (2) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of seventy-five thousand dollars, of which sixty- seven thousand five hundred dollars or more is contributed by individuals residing in the state.

(A)[, Exceptexcept asthat provided in subparagraphthe (C)case of thisa primary or election for Lieutenant Governor held in 2022, or thereafter, the aggregate contribution amounts shall be first adjusted under subdivision and(1) of subsection (g)(b) of this section 9-610,and (i)then onrounded andto afterthe Januarynearest 1,multiple 2019,of theone candidatehundred committeedollars shallwith returnexactly fifty dollars rounded upward and in the portioncase of anya contributionprimary or contributionselection fromfor anyAttorney individual,General,State includingComptroller,State saidTreasurer candidate,or thatSecretary exceedsoftheStateheld twoin hundred2018, fiftyor dollars,thereafter, the aggregate contribution amounts shall be first adjusted under subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section and (ii)then anyroundedtothenearestmultipleofonehundreddollarswithexactlyfifty suchdollars excessrounded portionupward.] shallThe notprovisions beof consideredthis insubdivision calculatingshall thebe aggregatesubject LCOto No.the following:

1905(A) 28Except ofas 39provided Raisedin Bill[subparagraph No.252(C) contributionof amountsthis undersubdivision thisand] subdivision,subsection (B)(g) allof contributionssection received9-610, by(i) anexploratoryon committeeand establishedbyafter saidcandidateJanuary that1, meet2019, the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committeescommittee under this section shall bereturn considered in calculating the aggregateportion contribution amounts, and (C) in the case of aany primarycontribution or electioncontributions heldfrom inany 2022,individual, orincluding thereafter,said thecandidate, two-hundred-fifty-dollarthat maximumexceeds individualtwo contributionhundred amountfifty provideddollars, inand subparagraph(ii) (A)any ofsuch thisexcess subdivisionportion shall not be firstconsidered adjustedin undercalculating subdivisionthe (1)aggregate ofcontribution subsectionamounts (c)under of this sectionsubdivision, and then(B) roundedall tocontributions thereceived nearestby multipleanexploratory ofcommittee tenestablishedby dollarssaidcandidate withthat exactlymeet fivethe dollarscriteria roundedfor upward,qualifying providedcontributions suchto adjustedcandidate andcommittees roundedunder amountthis section shall notbe exceedconsidered the applicable contribution limit set forth in subsectioncalculating (a)the ofaggregate sectioncontribution 9-611,amounts. as amended by this act.

(3)[, Inand (C) in the case of a candidateprimary for nomination or election toheld the office of state senator for a district, contributions from individuals in the2022, aggregate amount of fifteen thousand dollars, including contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or inthereafter, part, in said district, except that in the casetwo-hundred-fifty-dollar ofmaximum aindividual primarycontribution oramount electionprovided held in 2018,subparagraph or(A) thereafter,of thethis aggregatesubdivision contribution amount shall be first adjusted under subdivision (3)(1) of subsection (b)sSB252 of/ thisFile sectionNo. and then rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars with exactly fifty dollars rounded upward.

The482 provisions28 ofsSB252 thisFile subdivisionNo. shall be subject to the following:

(A)482 Except(c) as provided in subparagraph (D) of this subdivisionsection and subsectionthen (g)rounded ofto sectionthe 9-610,nearest (i)multiple onof andten afterdollars Decemberwith 1,exactly 2017,five thedollars candidaterounded committeeupward.] shall(3) returnIn the portioncase of anya contributioncandidate orfor contributionsnomination fromor anyelection individual,to includingthe saidoffice candidate,of thatstate exceedssenator twofor hundreda fiftydistrict, dollars,contributions andfrom (ii)individuals any such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision, (B) no contribution shall be counted for the purposes of thefifteen requirementthousand underdollars, thisincluding subdivision for contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district unless the contribution is fivedollarsormore,and(C)allcontributionsreceivedbyanexploratory committee established by said candidatedistrict. that meet the criteria for LCO No.

1905[, 29except of 39 Raised Bill No.252 qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision and all such exploratory committee contributions that also meet the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district shall be counted for the purposes of said requirement, and (D) in the case of a primary or election held in 2020,2018, or thereafter, the two-hundred-fifty-aggregate dollar maximum individual contribution amount provided in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be first adjusted under subdivision (2)(3) of subsection (c)(b) of this section and then rounded to the nearest multiple of tenone hundred dollars with exactly fivefifty dollars rounded upward,upward.] providedThe suchprovisions adjustedof andthis roundedsubdivision amount shall notbe exceedsubject to the applicablefollowing: contribution limit set forth in subsection (a) of section 9- 611, as amended by this act.

(4)(A) InExcept theas caseprovided in [subparagraph (D) of athis candidatesubdivision forand] nominationsubsection or(g) electionof tosection 9-610, (i) on and after December 1, 2017, the officecandidate ofcommittee stateshall representativereturn forthe aportion district,of any contribution or contributions from individualsany individual, including said candidate, that exceeds two hundred fifty dollars, and (ii) any such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision, (B) no contribution shall be counted for the purposes of fivethe thousandrequirement dollars,under includingthis subdivision for contributions from at least onethree hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in saidthe district,district exceptunless the contribution is fivedollarsormore,and(C)allcontributionsreceivedbyanexploratory committee established by said candidate that inmeet the casecriteria offor aqualifying primarycontributions orto electioncandidate heldcommittees inunder 2018,this orsection thereafter,shall be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount shallunder bethis firstsubdivision adjustedand all such exploratory committee contributions that also meet the requirement under this subdivision (3)for ofcontributions subsectionfrom (b)at ofleast thisthree sectionhundred andindividuals thenresiding roundedin tomunicipalities theincluded, nearestin multiplewhole ofor onein hundredpart, dollarsin withthe exactlydistrict fiftyshall dollarsbe roundedcounted upward.for the purposes of said requirement.

The[, provisionsand (D) in the case of a primary or election held in 2020, or thereafter, the two-hundred-fifty- dollar maximum individual contribution amount provided in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be subjectadjusted under subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section and then rounded to the following:sSB252 / File No.

(A)482 Except29 assSB252 providedFile in subparagraph (D) of this subdivision and subsection (g) of section 9-610, (i) on and after December 1, 2017, the candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including said candidate, that exceeds two hundred fifty dollars, and (ii) any such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision, (B) no contribution shall be counted for the purposes of the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least one hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities LCO No.

1905482 30nearest multiple of 39ten Raiseddollars Billwith No.252exactly included,five indollars wholerounded orupward.] in(4) part,In in the districtcase unlessof thea contributioncandidate isfor fivenomination dollars or more,election (C)to allthe contributionsoffice receivedof bystate anrepresentative exploratory committee established by said candidate that meet the criteria for qualifyinga district, contributions tofrom candidateindividuals committees under this section shall be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount underof thisfive subdivisionthousand anddollars, allincluding such exploratory committee contributions that also meet the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least one hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district shall be counted for the purposes of said requirement,district. and (D) in the case of a primary or election held in 2020, or thereafter, the two-hundred-fifty- dollar maximum individual contribution amount provided in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be adjusted under subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section and then rounded to the nearest multiple of ten dollars with exactly five dollars rounded upward, provided such adjusted and rounded amount shall not exceed the applicable contribution limit set forth in subsection (a) of section 9- 611, as amended by this act.

(5)[, Notwithstandingexcept thethat provisions of subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, in the case of a specialprimary or election forheld thein office2018, of state senator or statethereafter, representative for a district, (A) the aggregate contribution amount of qualifying contributions that the candidate committee of a candidate for such office shall be requiredfirst toadjusted receive in order to be eligible for a grant from the Citizens' Election Fund shall be seventy-five per cent or more of the corresponding amount required under the applicable said subdivision (3) or (4), as adjusted and rounded pursuant to the applicable provisions of subsection (b) of this section,section and (B)then therounded numberto ofthe contributionsnearest requiredmultiple fromof individualsone residinghundred indollars municipalitieswith included,exactly infifty wholedollars orrounded inupward.] part,The inprovisions saidof districtthis subdivision shall be seventy-fivesubject perto cent or more of the correspondingfollowing: number required under the applicable said subdivision (3) or (4).

(A) Except as provided in [subparagraph (D) of this subdivision and] subsection (g) of section 9-610, (i) on and after December 1, 2017, the candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including said candidate, that exceeds two hundred fifty dollars, and (ii) any such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision, (B) no contribution shall be counted for the purposes of the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least one hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district unless the contribution is fivedollarsormore,and(C)allcontributionsreceivedbyanexploratory committee established by said candidate that meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision and all such exploratory committee contributions that also meet the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least one hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district shall be counted for the purposes of said requirement.

[, and (D) in the case of a primary or election held in 2020, or thereafter, the two-hundred-fifty- dollar maximum individual contribution amount provided in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be adjusted under subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section and then rounded to the sSB252 / File No.

482 30 sSB252 File No.

482 nearest multiple of ten dollars with exactly five dollars rounded upward.] (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, in the case of a special election for the office of state senator or state representative for a district, (A) the aggregate amount of qualifying contributions that the candidate committee of a candidate for such office shall be required to receive in order to be eligible for a grant from the Citizens' Election Fund shall be seventy-five per cent or more of the corresponding amount required under the applicable said subdivision (3) or (4), [as adjusted and rounded pursuant to the applicable provisions of subsection (b) of this section,] and (B) the number of contributions required from individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in said district shall be seventy-five per cent or more of the corresponding number required under the applicable said subdivision (3) or (4).

[(b) (1) For elections for the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor held in 2022, and thereafter, the aggregate contribution amounts in subdivision (1) or (2), as applicable, of subsection (a) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission not later than January 15, 2022, and quadrennially thereafter, in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on January 1, 2017, and ending on December thirty-first in the year preceding the year in which said adjustment is to be made.

(2) For elections for the office of Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State held in 2018, and thereafter, the aggregate contribution amounts in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission not later than January 15, 2018, and quadrennially thereafter, in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on sSB252 / File No.

482 31 sSB252 File No.

482 January 1, 2017, and ending on December thirty-first in the year preceding the year in which said adjustment is to be made.

(3) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, for elections for the office of state senator or state representative held in 2018, and thereafter, the aggregate contribution amounts in subdivision (3) or (4), as applicable, of subsection (a) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission not later than January 15, 2018, and biennially thereafter, in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on January 1, 2017, and ending on December thirty-first in the year preceding the year in which said adjustment is to be made.

(B) For elections for the office of state senator or state representative held in 2024, the aggregate contribution amounts in subdivision (3) or (4), as applicable, of subsection (a) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission not later than January 15, 2024, in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on January 1, 2017, and ending on December 31, 2021.

(c) (1) For elections for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State held in 2022, and thereafter, the two-hundred-fifty-dollar maximum individual contribution amount in subdivision (1) or (2), as applicable, of subsection (a) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission not later than January 15, 2022, and quadrennially thereafter, in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on January 1, 2017, and ending on December thirty-first in the year preceding the year in which said adjustment is to be made.

sSB252 / File No.

482 32 sSB252 File No.

482 (2) For elections for the office of state senator or state representative held in 2020, and thereafter, the two-hundred-fifty-dollar maximum individual contribution amount in subdivision (3) or (4), as applicable, of subsection (a) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections EnforcementCommissionnotlaterthanJanuary15,2020,andbiennially thereafter, in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on January 1, 2017, and ending on December thirty-first in the year preceding the year in which said adjustment is to be made.] [(d)] (b) Each individual who makes a contribution of more than fifty dollars to a candidate committee established to aid or promote the success of a participating candidate for nomination or election shall include with the contribution a certification that contains the same information described in subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of section 9- 608 and shall follow the same procedure prescribed in said subsection.

[(e)] (c) The following shall not be deemed to be qualifying contributions under subsection (a) of this section and shall be returned by the treasurer of the candidate committee to the contributor or transmitted to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for deposit in the Citizens' Election Fund:

(1)A contributionfromaprincipalofastate contractor or prospective state contractor;

(2) A contribution of less than five dollars, and a contribution of five dollars or more from an individual who does not provide the full name and complete address of the individual;

(3) A contribution under subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section from an individual who does not reside in the state, in excess of the applicable limit on contributions from out-of-state individuals in subsection (a) of this section;

and (4) A contribution made by a youth who is less than twelve years of sSB252 / File No.

482 33 sSB252 File No.

482 age.

[(f)](d)Afteracandidatecommitteereceivesthe applicableaggregate amount of qualifying contributions under subsection (a) of this section, the candidate committee shall transmit any additional contributions that it receives to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Citizens' Election Fund.

[(g)] (e) As used in this section, "principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor" has the same meaning as provided in subsection (g) of section 9-612, and "individual" shall include sole proprietorships.

LCOThe No.following persons shall be guilty of illegal practices and shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of section 9-623:

1905 31 of 39 Raised Bill No.252 The following persons shall be guilty of illegal practices and shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of section 9-623:

(3) Any person who, in consideration of any money, gift, advantage, preferment, aid, emolument or other valuable thing paid, received, accepted or promised to the person's advantage or any other person's advantage,sSB252 votes/ orFile refrainsNo. from voting for or against any person or for or against any measure at any such election, caucus, primary or referendum;

482 34 sSB252 File No.

482 advantage, votes or refrains from voting for or against any person or for or against any measure at any such election, caucus, primary or referendum;

(5) Any person who, directly or indirectly, pays, gives, contributes or promises any money or other valuable thing to defray or towards defraying the cost or expenses of any campaign, primary, referendum or election to any person, committee, company, club, organization or association, other than to a treasurer, except that this subdivision shall LCOnot No.apply to any expenses for postage, telegrams, telephoning, stationery, express charges, traveling, meals, lodging or photocopying incurred by any candidate for office or for nomination to office, so far as may be permitted under the provisions of this chapter;

1905 32 of 39 Raised Bill No.252 not apply to any expenses for postage, telegrams, telephoning, stationery, express charges, traveling, meals, lodging or photocopying incurred by any candidate for office or for nomination to office, so far as may be permitted under the provisions of this chapter;

(8)sSB252 Any/ personFile whoNo. knowingly and wilfully violates any provision of this chapter;

482 35 sSB252 File No.

482 (8) Any person who knowingly and wilfully violates any provision of this chapter;

LCO(12) No.Any municipal employee who solicits a contribution on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any candidate for state, district or municipal office, any political committee or any political party, from (A) an individual under the supervision of such employee, or (B) the spouse or a dependent child of such individual;

1905 33 of 39 Raised Bill No.252 (12) Any municipal employee who solicits a contribution on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any candidate for state, district or municipal office, any political committee or any political party, from (A) an individual under the supervision of such employee, or (B) the spouse or a dependent child of such individual;

(17)sSB252 Any/ consultantFile thatNo. fails to provide complete information to a committee or person required to file any disclosure statement or report pursuant to section9-601d,asamendedby thisact, or 9-608,asamended by this act, as applicable, which complete information is necessary for such committee or person to file such statement or report;

482 36 sSB252 File No.

482 (17) Any consultant that fails to provide complete information to a committee or person required to file any disclosure statement or report pursuant to section9-601d,asamendedby thisact,or 9-608,asamended by this act, as applicable, which complete information is necessary for such committee or person to file such statement or report;

LCOSec. No.

1905 34 of 39 Raised Bill No.252 Sec.

(b) (1) A consultant that receives or agrees to receive payment from a candidate or committee and that makes or obligates to make any expenditure, including any payment to a subvendor, for or on behalf of a committee or person required to file a report pursuant to section 9- 601d of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or 9-608 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, as applicable, shall, once such consultant has made or obligated to make any such expenditure to a subvendor, provide to such committee or person a statement with a detailed account of such expenditure, including, but not limited to, (A) the amount and date of such expenditure and the person that received such payment, (B) the full name and street address of such subvendor, (C) the purpose of such payment and a description of such purpose, (D) thenameofanycandidateortextofanyreferendumquestionsupported or opposed by such expenditure, and (E) if applicable, the date of any event with which such payment is associated, including, but not limited to, any expenditure directly or indirectly made by a consultant to a subvendor for any (i) written, typed or other printed communication, or any web-based written communication, that (I) promotes the success or defeatsSB252 of/ anyFile candidate'sNo. campaign for nomination or election or any referendum question, or (II) solicits funds to benefit any candidate or committee, (ii) advertising time or space, including, but not limited to, television or Internet video, radio or Internet audio, telephone call or web-based or social media communication, (iii) wages incurred as a result of work for any candidate or committee, (iv) survey, poll, signature gathering or door-to-door solicitation of voters, (v) facilities, invitations or entertainment for fundraising or other campaign events, or (vi) printing of mass campaign mailings or postage for such mailings.

482 37 sSB252 File No.

482 defeat of any candidate's campaign for nomination or election or any referendum question, or (II) solicits funds to benefit any candidate or committee, (ii) advertising time or space, including, but not limited to, television or Internet video, radio or Internet audio, telephone call or web-based or social media communication, (iii) wages incurred as a result of work for any candidate or committee, (iv) survey, poll, signature gathering or door-to-door solicitation of voters, (v) facilities, invitations or entertainment for fundraising or other campaign events, or (vi) printing of mass campaign mailings or postage for such mailings.

LCO(2) No.Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, if a consultant makes or obligates to make payment for an expenditure for which a committee or person is required to file a report pursuant to section 9-601d of the general statutes, as amended by this act,or9-608ofthegeneralstatutes,asamendedbythisact,asapplicable, such consultant shall, concomitant with making or obligating to make such payment, provide to such committee or person complete information necessary to file such report.

1905(c) 35(1) ofAny 39committee Raisedor Billperson No.252that (2)makes Notwithstandingor theobligates provisionsto ofmake subdivisionpayment (1)for ofan thisexpenditure subsection,to if a consultant, which consultant makesis orrequired obligatesto provide to makesuch paymentcommittee foror anperson expenditurethe forinformation whichdescribed ain committeesubsection or(b) personof isthis section, shall include in any report required to filebe afiled reportby such committee or person pursuant to section 9-601d9- 601d of the general statutes, as amended by this act,or9-608ofthegeneralstatutes,asamendedbythisact,asapplicable,act, suchor consultant9-608 shall,of concomitantthe withgeneral makingstatutes, as amended by this act, as applicable, (A) the full name and street address of each subvendor to which payment was made or obligatingobligated to makebe made during the period covered by such payment,filing, provide(B) tothe amount anddate ofsuchpayment,(C)thepurpose ofsuchpayment and a description of such committeepurpose, (D) the name of any candidate or persontext completeof informationany necessaryreferendum toquestion filesupported or opposed by such report.expenditure, and (E) if applicable, the date of any event with which such payment is associated.

(c)The (1)contents Anyof committee or person that makes or obligates to make payment for an expenditure to a consultant, which consultant is required to provide to such committeereport or person the information described in subsection (b) of this section, shall include in any reportother requiredsSB252 to/ beFile filedNo. by such committee or person pursuant to section 9- 601d of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or 9-608 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, as applicable, (A) the full name and street address of each subvendor to which payment was made or obligated to be made during the period covered by such filing, (B) the amount anddate ofsuchpayment,(C) thepurpose ofsuchpayment and a description of such purpose, (D) the name of any candidate or text of any referendum question supported or opposed by such expenditure, and (E) if applicable, the date of any event with which such payment is associated.

The482 contents38 ofsSB252 suchFile reportNo. shall include any other information that the State Elections Enforcement Commission may require to facilitate compliance with the provisions of chapters 155 to 157, inclusive, of the general statutes, and shall be submitted on a form prescribed by the commission.

(2)482 Except for such consultant's overhead or normal operating expenses, a consultant shall not make any expenditure for or on behalf of a candidate or committee, including, but not limited to, any expenditure described insubdivision(1) ofsubsection(b)ofthis section, unless complete information ofthat such expenditure is provided to the personState requiredElections toEnforcement fileCommission amay reportrequire pursuant to sectionfacilitate 9-601dcompliance ofwith the generalprovisions statutes,of aschapters amended155 byto this157, act,inclusive, or 9-608 of the general statutes, asand amendedshall bybe thissubmitted act, as applicable, or the committee on whosea behalfform orprescribed LCOby No.the commission.

1905(2) 36Except for such consultant's overhead or normal operating expenses, a consultant shall not make any expenditure for or on behalf of 39a Raisedcandidate Billor No252committee, including, but not limited to, any expenditure described insubdivision(1) ofsubsection(b)ofthis section, unless complete information of such expenditure is provided to the person required to file a report pursuant to section 9-601d of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or 9-608 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, as applicable, or the committee on whose behalf or for whose benefit such consultant is acting.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a financial obligation shall not be made or incurred for or on behalf of a committee unlesssSB252 authorized/ byFile theNo. treasurer of such committee pursuant to section 9-607 of the general statutes, as amended by this act.

482 39 sSB252 File No.

482 unless authorized by the treasurer of such committee pursuant to section 9-607 of the general statutes, as amended by this act.

(NEW) (Effective from passage) If the treasurer of the candidate committee of a participating candidate, as described in section 9-703 of the general statutes, spends or obligates to spend fifteen per cent or more, in the aggregate, of the moneys received from the Citizens' Election Fund on the services of a consultant or other professional person as provided in subparagraph (P) of subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of section 9-607 of the general statutes, such consultant or professional person shall register with the State Elections Enforcement Commission as such for the candidate committee and file an affidavit LCOwith No.the commission.

1905 37 of 39 Raised Bill No.

252 with the commission.

from passage Section 1 from passage 9-601(33) to (35) Sec.

6 from passage 9-607(g)(1) Sec.sSB252 / File No.

7482 from40 passagesSB252 9-608(e)(1)(C)File fromNo. passage Sec.

8482 9-611 Sec.

7 from passage 9-608(e)(1)(C) Sec.

8 from passage 9-611 Sec.

10 from passage 9-613 from passage Sec.

11 from passage 9-614 Sec.

14 from passage 9-619(a) from passage Sec.

15 from passage 9-620 Sec.

17 from passage 9-621(h)(1) from passage Sec.

18 from passage 9-621(i) Sec.

20 from passage 9-7a(g)(1) LCOSec. No.

190521 38from ofpassage 399-611(a) RaisedSec. Bill No.

25222 from passage 9-704 Sec.

21 from passage 53a-119(18) Sec.

22 from passage 9-704(a) Sec.

25 from passage New section Statement of Purpose:Legislative Commissioners:

ToIn (1)Section implement4(a), federal"subsection court(c)" rulingswas regardingchanged independent expenditure political committees and contributions to such"subsections committees,(c) (2) reflect federal case law on aggregate contribution limits for individuals, (3) more explicitly recognize referendum spending as a type of independent expenditure and make(d)" changes relatedto reporting and attribution requirements, (4) adjust a disclaimer requirement to address certain organization expenditures, (5) make a conforming change regarding the distribution of surplus funds by candidate committees participating in the Citizens' Election Program, (6) allow the State Elections Enforcement Commission additional time to investigate certain complaints, (7) establish in-state contributor requirements for state-wideaccuracy; candidates participating in said program, (8) specify that individual contributions under said program may not exceed already- established contribution limits, and (9) provide for increased disclosure with respect to moneys paid to campaign consultants.

thatin whenSection the4(c)(5), entire"subparagraph text(A) ofof" awas billdeleted orfor resolutionaccuracy; or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] LCO No.

1905in 39Section of4(f)(1), 39"if a person" was changed to "if (A) a person" and "expenditure (A) has" was changed to "expenditure [(A)] has" for clarity;

in Section 4(i)(1)(B), "report required in accordance with" was changed to "report [required] in accordance with" for consistency;

in Section 17(h)(1), "or election" was changed to "or for election" for clarity;

and in Section 20(g)(1)(A), "subparagraph (A)(i)" was changed to "subparagraph [(A)] (A)(i)" for consistency with standard drafting conventions.

GAE Joint Favorable Subst.

sSB252 / File No.

482 41 sSB252 File No.

482 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 25 $ FY 26 $ Judicial Dept.

(Probation);

GF - Potential Minimal Minimal Correction, Dept.

Cost Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential Minimal Minimal Revenue Gain Elections Enforcement GF - Potential Minimal Minimal Commission Revenue Gain Resources of the Citizen's CEF - Potential See Below See Below Election Fund Cost Note:

GF=General Fund ;

CEF= Citizens' Election Fund Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill makes a variety of changes concerning referenda, campaign finance changes and results in the fiscal impacts described below.

Section 4 raises existing campaign finance reporting thresholds and makesavarietyofchangesarounddisclosuresandcampaignfilingsand increases the civil penalties that the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) may impose resulting in potential revenue to the SEEC.

The bill increases the maximum penalty for failing to report an independent expenditure from $10,000 to $20,000 or twice the amount of the unreported independent expenditure.

The bill also raises existing penalties for willful failure to file from a maximum of $50,000 to a maximum of $50,000 or ten times the unreported independent expenditure.

The potential revenue will depend on the total number of violations and the penalties imposed.

sSB252 / File No.

482 42 sSB252 File No.

482 Section 22 eliminates the existing requirement that qualifying contributions be adjusted for inflation for purposes of receiving grants from the Citizens' Election Program (CEP).

This provision results in a potential cost to the Resources of the Citizens' Election Fund , to the extent that the lower qualifying contribution increases the number of qualified individuals receiving grants.

Section 23, which expands an existing class D felony for illegal campaign finance activities, results in a potential cost to the Department ofCorrectionand the JudicialDepartment for incarcerationor probation and a potential revenue gain to the General Fund from fines.

On 2 average, the marginal cost to the state for incarcerating an offender for the year is $3,300 while the average marginal cost for supervision in the community is less than $800 each year for adults and $1,000 each year.

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of violations and the number of grants awarded.

1The Citizens' Election Fund expended $22.3 million in FY 23.

2Since FY 14, there has been 5 recorded similar offenses and $0 in collected revenue for fines related to similar offenses.

No one is currently incarcerated for similar offenses.

3Inmate marginal cost is based on increased consumables (e.g., food, clothing, water, sewage, living supplies, etc.).

This does not include a change in staffing costs or utility expenses because these would only be realized if a unit or facility opened.

4Probation marginal cost is based on services provided by private providers and only includes costs that increase with each additional participant.

This does not include a cost for additional supervision by a probation officer unless a new offense is anticipated to result in enough additional offenders to require additional probation officers.

sSB252 / File No.

482 43 sSB252 File No.

482 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 252 AN ACT CONCERNING REFERENDA, INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AND OTHER CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHANGES.

SUMMARY This bill changes laws affecting campaign finance and elections.

Principally, it does the following:

1.

codifies “independent expenditure political committee” (known as an IE-only PAC) as a type of political committee (PAC) and requires IE-only PACs to register with the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) (§§ 1-3, 6, 7 & 9-15);

2.

classifies referendum PACs as IE-only PACs and makes conforming changes (§ 15);

3.

expands independent expenditure (IE) disclosure requirements while increasing the expenditure threshold that triggers the requirements (§ 4);

4.

increases the maximum penalties for failing to file IE reports (§ 4);

5.

modifies PAC registration requirements, including expanding the contents of the registration statement (§ 5);

6.

in conformity with current practice, eliminates aggregate individual contribution limits to certain committees (§ 8);

7.

expands disclaimer requirements for referenda and party candidate listings (§§ 16-19);

8.

narrows the circumstances under which SEEC must dismiss a complaint within one year after receiving it (§ 20);

sSB252 / File No.

482 44 sSB252 File No.

482 9.

decreases, from $1,000 to $250, the limit on contributions by an individual to a candidate for state senator in a primary or general election (§ 21);

10.

restores Citizens’ Election Program (CEP) qualifying contribution limits and aggregate amounts to their base levels (§ 22);

and 11.

increases campaign consultants’ disclosure requirements (§§ 23- 25).

The bill also makes minor, technical, and conforming changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage §§ 1-3, 6, 7 & 9-15 — IE-ONLY PACS The law authorizes persons (including individuals, entities, and committees) to make unlimited IEs and defines “independent expenditure” as an expenditure made without the consent, coordination, or consultation of a (1) candidate or candidate’s agent, (2) candidate committee, (3) PAC, or (4) party committee (CGS § 9-601c).

The bill codifies “independent expenditure political committee” (known as an IE-only PAC) as a type of PAC under Connecticut’s campaign finance laws and, like other committees that make IEs, requirestheir registrationwithSEEC.It definesthemas PACsthat make only (1) IEs and (2) contributions to other IE-only PACs (see BACKGROUND).

It also allows these PACs to (1) coordinate with other IE-only PACs to make IEs and (2) make donations to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) (nonprofit) and 501(c)(19) (veterans) organizations and refund contributor contributions.

The bill makes several conforming changes, including specifying that (1) individuals, business entities, and labor unions may make contributions to IE-only PACs and (2) various types of IE-only PACs, such as those formed for a single election or primary, may not make contributions except to other IE-only PACs.

It also classifies referendum sSB252 / File No.

482 45 sSB252 File No.

482 PACs as IE-only PACs.

Lawful Purposes (§ 6) The bill defines “lawful purposes of the committee” for IE-only PACs as promoting the following:

1.

a political party, 2.

the success or defeat of candidates for nomination or election to a public office or position regulated by state campaign finance laws, or 3.

the success or defeat of referendum questions.

Existing law generally allows PACs to pay specific expenses to accomplish their lawful purposes.

Surplus Distributions (§ 7) By law, candidate committees and PACs, other than exploratory committees or PACs organized for ongoing political activities, must generally spend or distribute surplus funds (1) within 90 days after (a) a primary when a candidate loses or (b) an election or referendum not held in November or (2) by March 31 following an election or a referendum held in November.

The bill establishes a surplus distribution procedure for IE-only PACs, other than those formed for ongoing activities.

Specifically, it requires them to distribute surplus funds, according to the schedule outlined above, to (1) their contributors, on a prorated basis;

(2) state or municipal governments or agencies;

or (3) tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) organizations.

Referendum PACs (§§ 7 & 15) The bill classifies referendum PACs as IE-only PACs and makes conforming changes.

Specifically,it allowsany persontoestablishanIE- only PAC for a single referendum question or multiple questions submitted to a vote on the same day.

Under the bill, the committee may make IEs only for these purposes.

sSB252 / File No.

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482 Relatedly, the bill eliminates provisions in current law that establish surplus distributions for referendum PACs and instead subjects them to the bill’s procedure for IE-only PACs.

§ 4 — REPORTING IES AND COVERED TRANSFERS Under current law, persons must disclose information about IEs they make that exceed $1,000 in the aggregate by filing certain reports.

A “person” is an individual, committee, firm, partnership, organization, association, syndicate, company trust, corporation, limited liability company, or any other legal entity (other than the state or its political or administrative subdivisions) (CGS § 9-601(10)).

The bill does the following:

1.

increases, from $1,000 to $5,000, the aggregate expenditure threshold that triggers the filing requirements;

2.

changestheperiodduring whichIE disclosure reportsare subject to a 24-hour electronic filing deadline;

3.

expands disclosure requirements for persons that make IEs without forming a PAC (known as “incidental spenders”);

4.

increases the maximum penalties for failing to file IE reports;

and 5.

conforms law to practice by requiring that, to disclose IEs, (a) incidental spenders use SEEC’s long- and short-form reports and (b) PACs, including IE-only PACs, use SEEC’s campaign finance forms for PACs formed in Connecticut.

As under existing law, IEs made for or against (1) statewide office or legislative candidates, or statewide referenda, must be filed with SEEC and(2)municipaloffice candidatesor municipalreferendamust befiled with town clerks.

24-Hour Report Filing Deadline Under current law, a person must electronically file a disclosure report within 24 hours after making or obligating to make an IE during sSB252 / File No.

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482 a primary or general election campaign that exceeds $1,000 in the aggregate and promotes the success or defeat of a statewide office or legislative candidate.

The bill increases the aggregate expenditure threshold to $5,000 and instead applies the 24-hour electronic filing requirement to these IEs made or obligated to be made during the period (1) beginning June 1 in aregularelectionyearor,inthecaseofaspecialelectionforstatesenator or state representative,theday thegovernor issues writsofelection,and (2) ending on the day after the primary or general election for which the IE is made or incurred.

In the case of a special election, a person that makes or obligates to make an IE that exceeds $5,000 in the aggregate before the governor issues the writs must electronically file the IE report within 24 hours after the governor issues the writs.

Additionally, the bill applies the 24-hour reporting requirement to IEs within this timeframe that promote the success or defeat of a referendum question proposing a constitutional amendment, convention, or revision.

For any other IEs (those not subject to 24-hour reporting requirements), the bill requires that IE reports be filed according to the same schedule as the periodic statements filed by PACs.

Disclosures by Incidental Spenders Existing law requires persons, other than PACs (as described above), to disclose information about IEs they make using SEEC’s long- and short-form reports (i.e., SEEC Form 26) (see BACKGROUND).

The bill adds to the information that these IE-makers must disclose in these reports.

Under the bill, they must additionally disclose the following in the long-form report:

1.

the name of the human being who had direct, extensive, and substantive decision-making authority over the IE being disclosed, as well as his or her mailing address, telephone sSB252 / File No.

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2.

for the person making or obligating to make the IE, a statement indicating if the person files a report with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), IRS, or any similar out-of-state agency, and identifying information under which the filing is made;

3.

generally, any street address that differs from any mailing address required by the form;

and 4.

for a referendum, its date, the question’s text, and whether the IE supported or opposed it.

Under the bill, the short-form report must also disclose, for a referendum, the question’s text and an allocation of the expenditure in support or opposition to it.

Disclosing Covered Transfers.

As part of both the long- and short- form reports, the law requires a person to disclose the source and amount of any covered transfer of $5,000 or more, in the aggregate, received during the 12 months before the applicable primary or election if the IE (for which the report is being filed) is made or obligated to be made 180 days or less before the primary or election.

The bill extends the requirement to covered transfers made to promote or oppose a referendum question proposing a constitutional amendment, convention, or revision.

The law exempts from this disclosure requirement a person that discloses the source and amount of a covered transfer in a report it files with the FEC or the IRS, as long as the person includes a copy of the report inthe statementit fileswithSEEC.The billextendstheexemption to persons that include in their IE reports information sufficient for SEEC to find their FEC or IRS filing.

The bill also extends this exemption to apply to similar out-of-state agency reports.

Under current law if a person makes the IE from a dedicated IE account, the IE report and disclaimer (see below) may include only persons that made covered transfers to it directly.

The bill requires that sSB252 / File No.

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482 the report and disclaimer include this information but removes a provision limiting it to only this information.

By law, a “covered transfer”is,withcertainexceptions, any donation, transfer, or payment of funds by a person to a recipient that (1) makes IEs or (2) transfers funds to another person that makes IEs (CGS § 9- 601(29)).

Penalties for Failure to File an IE Report The bill increases the maximum civil penalties SEEC may impose for failure to file certain required IE reports.

It also subjects IEs that support or oppose referendum questions to these penalties.

Specifically, existing law allows SEEC to impose a maximum penalty of $10,000 for failing to file a report for an IE that is made or obligated more than 90 days before a primary or general election.

The bill extends this penalty and the penalties described below to IEs that support or oppose a referendum.

For IEs made or obligated 90 days or fewer before a primary or general election, SEEC may currently impose a maximum penalty of $20,000 for failing to file areport.The billinsteadallowsSEECto impose a penalty of up to $20,000 or twice the amount of any unreported IE, including for a referendum, whichever is greater.

Currently, a knowing and willful failure to file an IE report is punishable by an additional fine of up to $50,000.

The bill instead allows SEEC to impose an additional civil penalty of up to $50,000 or 10 times the amount of any unreported expenditure, whichever is greater.

In addition, the bill establishes personal liability for a civil penalty that remains unpaid after the later of one year after the date when (1) SEEC imposed it or (2) a final judgment is issued by a court following any appeal of SEEC’s action.

Specifically, the bill makes the following individuals personally liable:

1.

in the case of a committee, the chairperson and any officer, or sSB252 / File No.

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in the case of a person other than a committee, (a) the CEO, CFO, or equivalent;

(b) any other officer;

and (c) any manager who had direct, extensive, and substantive decision-making authority over the IE or IEs made or obligated to be made.

§ 5 — PAC REGISTRATIONS By law, most PACs must register with SEEC and designate a treasurer.

They may also designate a deputy treasurer.

The registration statement must include, among other things, the committee’s name and purpose.

The bill expands the required contents of the PAC registration statement.

Under current law, for a committee that files reports with the FEC or an out-of-state agency, the registration must include a statement to that effect and the agency’s name.

The bill expands this provision to include reports filed with the IRS and also requires that the statement include identifying information under which those filings are made.

In addition, if a committee is established or controlled by a person or individual acting as an agent for a person, the statement must indicate the person’s name.

If a committee is established or controlled by a person other than a human being, the statement must indicate the name of the CEO or an equivalent.

Current law requires only that a PAC established by a business entity or organization (i.e., a labor union) indicate the name of the entity or organization.

§ 8 — AGGREGATE CONTRIBUTION LIMIT FOR INDIVIDUALS Statelawgenerallylimitstheamount thatindividualsmay contribute to a specific candidate committee, party committee, or PAC.

The bill conforms the law to SEEC practice by eliminating an aggregate limit on certain contributions by an individual.

Under this limit, an individual may not contribute more than $30,000 in the aggregate during a single primary and election to (1) candidate committees, (2) exploratory committees, and (3) slate committees for justice of the peace (in a primary).

In practice, SEEC does not enforce this aggregate limit (see BACKGROUND).

sSB252 / File No.

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Under current law, only the disclaimer requirements for printed communications apply to expenditures made for a referendum.

The bill extends, to IEs promoting a referendum question’s success or defeat, existing law’sdisclaimer requirementsfor election-and primary-related IEs made for video and audio communications and telephone calls.

Generally, each of these disclaimers must (1) include the name of the IE- maker and a statement that the expenditure was made independent of any candidate or political party and (2) state that additional information about the IE-maker is available on SEEC’s website.

Additionally, communications made within 90 days before the primary or election also state the names of the five persons that made the five largest covered transfers to the IE-maker, in the aggregate, during the 12 months immediately before the referendum.

As under existing law for other communications, the bill allows disclaimers for referendum IEs to omit any person that made covered transfers to it of less than $5,000, in the aggregate, during the 12 months immediately before the referendum.

The bill also specifies that, with respect to elections and primaries, existing law’s disclaimer requirements apply only to those IEs promoting a candidate’s success or defeat for nomination or election.

Party Candidate Listings (§ 18) Current law requires that party committees (i.e., town and state central) use the appropriate disclaimer in any print, television, or social media promotion of a slate of candidates (disclaimers by individual candidates are not required).

The bill instead requires that organization expenditures for party candidate listings by a party committee, sSB252 / File No.

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482 legislative caucus committee, or legislative leadership committee use the appropriate disclaimer.

By law, a “party candidate listing” is a communication that (1) lists the name or names of candidates for election;

(2) is distributed through public advertising (e.g., cable television, newspapers, or similar media), direct mail, telephone, electronic mail, publicly accessible Internet sites, or personal delivery;

and (3) is made to promote the success or defeat of a candidate or slate of candidates seeking nomination or election, or to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question or a political party.

The communication may not be a solicitation for or on behalf of a candidate committee (CGS § 9-601(25)(A)).

§ 20 — SEEC INVESTIGATIONS By law, SEEC receives complaints from the secretary of the state, registrars of voters, town clerks, and individuals under oath about alleged election law violations.

It investigates and holds hearings as it deems appropriate (CGS § 9-7b(a)(1)).

The bill narrows the circumstances under which SEEC must dismiss a complaint within one year after receiving it.

Time Limit Currently, SEEC must dismiss a complaint it receives on or after January 1, 2018, if it does not issue a final decision on it within one year after receiving the complaint.

However, the deadline must be extended if specified actions delay the final decision’s issuance.

The bill relaxes this requirement for SEEC complaints received on or after July 1, 2024.

It instead requires the commission to dismiss after one year any complaint for which it has not (1) found reason to believe a state election law violation occurred and (2) initiated a contested case proceeding.

The bill also (1) requires that the deadline for making this finding be extended for the same reasons that the final decision deadline must be extended under current law and (2) establishes an additional reason for extending this deadline (see below).

As under current law, the one-year sSB252 / File No.

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482 deadline must be extended by the length of the delay.

Extensions Under current law, the one-year deadline for SEEC to issue a final decision must be extended if its issuance is delayed for any of the following reasons:

1.

extension or continuance granted to a respondent by SEEC or its staff before issuing the decision;

2.

issuance of a subpoena in connection with the complaint;

3.

litigation in state or federal court related to the complaint;

or 4.

consultation with the chief state’s attorney, attorney general, U.S.

Department of Justice, or U.S.

attorney for Connecticut.

The bill similarly requires an extension, for these same reasons, of the one-year deadline for finding reason to believe that an election law violation occurred and initiating a contested case.

(SEEC regulations generally prohibit the commission from proceeding with a contested case unless it finds, by a majority vote of a quorum, reason to believe that a violation occurred (Conn.

Agencies Regs., § 9-7b-35).) The bill also requires an extension if the finding and commencement are delayed because of an investigation by SEEC or its staff involving a potential IE violation (e.g., making or reporting them).

§ 21 — CONTRIBUTION LIMITS The bill decreases, from $1,000 to $250, the aggregate limit on contributions by an individual to a candidate for state senator.

As under existing law, the limit applies separately to a primary and a general election.

§ 22 — CEP QUALIFYING CONTRIBUTION AMOUNTS By law, the CEP is the state’s voluntary public campaign financing system and is available to statewide and legislative office candidates.

Candidates qualify for the CEP by raising an aggregate amount of sSB252 / File No.

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482 qualifying contributions (QCs), which must come from individual donors.

ThebilleliminatestherequirementthatSEECadjustforinflationboth the maximum QC amount an individual may contribute as well as the aggregate QC amounts candidates must raise, thus restoring them to their base amounts.

Under current law, SEEC must adjust these amounts before each regular election for statewide or legislative office.

By law, the base individual QC limit is $250 for each statewide or legislative office.

In the 2022 state election, the inflation-adjusted limit was$290.

The table belowliststhebase aggregate amount for eachoffice and the 2022 inflation-adjusted amount.

Table:

Aggregate QC Amounts Office Base Amount 2022 Inflation- Adjusted Amount Governor $250,000 $288,800 Lieutenant governor, secretary of the state, stat75,000 86,600 treasurer, state comptroller, and attorney general State senator 15,000 17,300* State representative 5,000 5,800* *Under current law, these amounts also apply to the 2024 election For the 2024 election, SEEC published an inflation-adjusted individual QC limit of $320 for legislative candidates.

It is unclear whether contributions raised before the bill’s passage that exceed $250 would still be deemed to be QCs.

§§ 23-25 — CAMPAIGN CONSULTANTS By law, treasurers of party committees, candidate committees, and PACs may pay consultants or other professional persons for campaign or committee services.

The bill defines “consultant” and “subvendor” for campaign finance purposes and establishes registration, reporting, and record-keeping requirements for them.

Principally, the bill does the following:

sSB252 / File No.

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482 1.

requires consultants to provide detailed accountings of their expenditures, including to subvendors, to committees or persons on whose behalf they make payments;

2.

requires committees and persons that make or obligate to make payments for expenditures to consultants to submit additional informationintheir campaignfinance disclosure statementsorIE reports, as applicable;

3.

requires consultants to maintain, for at least four years, detailed records of certain expenditure transactions;

4.

prohibits a financial obligation from being made or incurred on behalf of a committee unless authorized by the treasurer;

5.

requires consultants and other professionals that work with candidates participating in the CEP to register with SEEC under certain conditions;

and 6.

establishes two additional illegal campaign finance practices.

The bill also makes technical changes.

Definitions (§§ 1 & 24) The bill defines “consultant” as a person (1) that provides campaign strategy;

design or management of campaign communications, literature, or advertising;

or fundraising or management services, or (2) with duties that include identifying, hiring, or paying subvendors for goods or services on behalf of a committee or person required to file a campaign finance disclosure statement or IE report (hereafter “required filer”).

“Subvendor” means a person that (1) provides goods or services to a consultant or (2) contracts with a consultant or other subvendor to provide goods or services to a required filer.

It does not include a consultant’s employee who has been employed by the consultant for at least three consecutive months prior to any month when a person or committee must file a report that accounts for an expenditure to the sSB252 / File No.

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Under the bill, a subvendor is deemed a consultant if it makes the types of payments described below, including payments to other subvendors.

At that point, it must comply with the bill’s reporting and record-keeping requirements.

Reporting (§ 24) Consultants.

The bill establishes reporting requirements for consultantsthat(1)receiveoragreetoreceivepaymentfromacandidate or committee and (2) make or obligate to make expenditures, including payments to subvendors, for or on behalf of a required filer.

Under existing law and the bill, consultants may work on behalf of party committees, candidate committees, and PACs.

Specifically, no later than five days after making or obligating to make an expenditure to a subvendor, the consultant must provide the person or committee with detailed accounting of the expenditure.

If a consultant makes or obligates to make a payment for an expenditure that requiresa committee orpersonto fileacampaignfinance disclosure statement or IE report, the consultant must, at the same time, provide that person or committee with all the information necessary to file the statement or report.

The detailed account must include the following information:

1.

the expenditure’s amount and date;

2.

the name of the payment’s recipient;

3.

the subvendor’s full name and street address;

4.

a description of the payment’s purpose;

5.

the name of any candidate, or text of any referendum question, the expenditure supports or opposes;

and 6.

the date of any event associated with the payment, if applicable.

sSB252 / File No.

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482 The bill specifies that expenditures triggering this reporting requirement include those made, directly or indirectly, to a subvendor for:

1.

a written, typed, or other printed communication, or any web- based written communication, that (a) promotes the success or defeat of a candidate’s campaign for nomination or election, or any referendum question, or (b) solicits funds to benefit any candidate or committee;

2.

advertising time or space, including television or Internet video, radio or Internet audio, telephone calls, or web-based or social media communication;

3.

wages incurred as a result of work for any candidate or committee;

4.

survey, poll, signature gathering, or door-to-door voter solicitation;

5.

facilities, invitations, or entertainment for fundraising or other campaign events;

or 6.

printing of, or postage for, mass campaign mailings.

The bill prohibits a consultant from making an expenditure without providing all of the required information to the applicable committee or person.The prohibitiondoesnot apply to overheador normaloperating expenses.

Persons and Committees That Pay Consultants.