SB 262 — AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE FILINGS.

The chairperson of each political committee shall file a registration statement described in subsection (b) of this section along with the statement signed by the designated treasurer and deputy treasurer with the [proper authority] State Elections Enforcement Commission, within ten days after its organization, provided that the chairperson of any political committee organized within ten days prior to any primary, election or referendum in connection with which it LCOintends {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00211to ofmake 21any R01-SB.docxcontributions }or Substituteexpenditures, Billshall immediately sSB262 / File No.

262210 intends11 tosSB262 makeFile anyNo. contributions or expenditures, shall immediately file a registration statement.

210 file a registration statement.

(a) (1) Each treasurer of a committee, other than a state central committee, shallfile a statement,swornunder penalty offalse statement with the [proper authority] State Elections Enforcement Commission in accordance with the provisions of section 9-603, as amended by this act, (A) on the tenth calendar day in the months of January, April, July and October, provided, if such tenth calendar day is a Saturday, Sunday or LCOlegal {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00212holiday, ofthe 21statement R01-SB.docxshall }be Substitutefiled Billon the next business day, sSB262 / File No.

262210 legal12 holiday,sSB262 theFile statementNo. shall be filed on the next business day, except that in the case of a candidate or exploratory committee established for an office to be elected at a special election, statements pursuant to this subparagraph shall not be required, (B) on the seventh day preceding each regular state election, except that (i) in the case of a candidate or exploratory committee established for an office to be elected at a municipal election, the statement shall be filed on the seventh day preceding a regular municipal election in lieu of such date, except if the candidate's name is not eligible to appear on the ballot, in which case such statement shall not berequired, (ii) in the case of atown committee, the statement shall be filed on the seventh day preceding each municipal election in addition to such date, (iii) in the case of a candidate committee in a state election that is required to file any supplemental campaign finance statements pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-712, such supplemental campaign finance statements shall satisfy the filing requirement under this subdivision, and (iv) in the case of a candidate committee established by a candidate whose name is not eligible to appear on the ballot, such statement shall not be required, and (C) if the committee has made or received a contribution or expenditure in connection with any other election, a primary or a referendum, on the seventh day preceding the election, primary or referendum, except that in the case of a candidate committee in a primary that is required to file statements pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-712, such statements shall satisfy the filing requirement under this subdivision.

210 except that in the case of a candidate or exploratory committee established for an office to be elected at a special election, statements pursuant to this subparagraph shall not be required, (B) on the seventh day preceding each regular state election, except that (i) in the case of a candidate or exploratory committee established for an office to be elected at a municipal election, the statement shall be filed on the seventh day preceding a regular municipal election in lieu of such date, except if the candidate's name is not eligible to appear on the ballot, in which case such statement shall not berequired, (ii) in the case of atown committee, the statement shall be filed on the seventh day preceding each municipal election in addition to such date, (iii) in the case of a candidate committee in a state election that is required to file any supplemental campaign finance statements pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-712, such supplemental campaign finance statements shall satisfy the filing requirement under this subdivision, and (iv) in the case of a candidate committee established by a candidate whose name is not eligible to appear on the ballot, such statement shall not be required, and (C) if the committee has made or received a contribution or expenditure in connection with any other election, a primary or a referendum, on the seventh day preceding the election, primary or referendum, except that in the case of a candidate committee in a primary that is required to file statements pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-712, such statements shall satisfy the filing requirement under this subdivision.

In the case of a candidate committee, the statement required to be filed in January shall be in lieu of the statement formerly required to be filed within forty-five days following an LCOelection. {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-0013 of 21 R01-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.

262sSB262 election./ File No.

(2)210 Each13 treasurersSB262 ofFile aNo. candidate committee established by a candidate in a primary, not later than thirty days after such primary, and each treasurer of a political committee formed for a single primary, election or referendum, not later than forty-five days after any election or referendum not held in November, shall file statements in the same manner as is required of them under subdivision (1) of this subsection.

210 (2) Each treasurer of a candidate committee established by a candidate in a primary, not later than thirty days after such primary, and each treasurer of a political committee formed for a single primary, election or referendum, not later than forty-five days after any election or referendum not held in November, shall file statements in the same manner as is required of them under subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(3) In the case of state central committees, (A) on the tenth calendar day in the months of January, April and July, provided, if such tenth calendardayisaSaturday,Sundayorlegalholiday,onthenextbusiness day, (B) on the twelfth day preceding any regular election, and (C) if the committee has made or received a contribution or expenditure in connection with any other election, or any primary or referendum, on the twelfth day preceding the election, primary or referendum, the treasurer of each such committee shall file with the [proper authority] State Elections Enforcement Commission, a statement, sworn under penalty of false statement, complete as of the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which such statement is to be filed in the case of statements required to be filed in January, April and July, and complete as of the nineteenth day preceding an election, primary or referendum in the case of the statement required to be filed on the LCOtwelfth {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-0014day ofpreceding 21an R01-SB.docxelection, }primary Substituteor Billreferendum, No.and in each case covering a period to begin with the first day not included in the last filed statement.

262sSB262 twelfth/ dayFile precedingNo. an election, primary or referendum, and in each case covering a period to begin with the first day not included in the last filed statement.

Sec.210 14 sSB262 File No.

210 Sec.

LCOSec. {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-0015 of 21 R01-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.

262 Sec.

(f)sSB262 If/ anFile exploratoryNo. committee has been established by a candidate pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-604, as amended by this act, the treasurer of the committee shall file a notice of intent to dissolve it with the [appropriate authority] State Elections Enforcement Commission not later than fifteen days after the candidate's declaration of intent to seek nomination or election to a particular public office, except that in the case of an exploratory committee established by a candidate for purposesthatincludeaidingorpromotingthecandidate'scandidacyfor nomination or election to the General Assembly or a state office, the treasurer of the committee shall file such notice of intent to dissolve the committee not later than fifteen days after the earlier of:

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210 (f) If an exploratory committee has been established by a candidate pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-604, as amended by this act, the treasurer of the committee shall file a notice of intent to dissolve it with the [appropriate authority] State Elections Enforcement Commission not later than fifteen days after the candidate's declaration of intent to seek nomination or election to a particular public office, except that in the case of an exploratory committee established by a candidate for purposesthatincludeaidingorpromotingthecandidate'scandidacyfor nomination or election to the General Assembly or a state office, the treasurer of the committee shall file such notice of intent to dissolve the committee not later than fifteen days after the earlier of:

In the event of a surplus, the treasurer shall, not later than the filing of the statement, distribute the surplus to the candidate committee established pursuant to said section, except that (A) in the case of a surplus of an exploratory committee established by a candidate who intends to be a participating candidate, as defined in section 9-703, as amended by this act, in the Citizens' Election Program, the treasurer may distribute to the candidate committee only that portion of such surplus that is attributable to contributions that meet the criteria for qualifying contributions for the candidate committee under section 9-704 and shall distribute the remainder of such surplus to the Citizens' Election Fund established in section 9-701, and (B) in the case of a surplus of an exploratory committee established for nomination or election to an office other than the General Assembly or a state office (i) the treasurer LCOmay {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-0016only distribute to the candidate committee for nomination or election to the General Assembly or state office of 21such R01-SB.docxcandidate }that Substituteportion Billof such surplus which is in excess of the total contributions which the exploratory committee received from lobbyists or political sSB262 / File No.

262210 may16 onlysSB262 distributeFile toNo. the candidate committee for nomination or election to the General Assembly or state office of such candidate that portion of such surplus which is in excess of the total contributions which the exploratory committee received from lobbyists or political committees established by lobbyists, during any period in which the prohibitions in subsection (e) of section 9-610 apply, and (ii) any remaining amount shall be returned to all such lobbyists and political committees established by or on behalf of lobbyists, on a prorated basis of contribution, or distributed to any charitable organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended.

210 committees established by lobbyists, during any period in which the prohibitions in subsection (e) of section 9-610 apply, and (ii) any remaining amount shall be returned to all such lobbyists and political committees established by or on behalf of lobbyists, on a prorated basis of contribution, or distributed to any charitable organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended.

If a candidate certifies on the statement of organization for theexploratory committee pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-604, as amended by this act, that the candidate will not be a candidate for the office of state representative and subsequently establishes a candidate committee for the office of state representative, LCOthetreasurerofthecandidate {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00217committee shallpay totheState Treasurer, for deposit in the General Fund, an amount equal to the portion of 21any R01-SB.docxcontribution }received Substituteby Billsaid No.exploratory committee that exceeded two hundred fifty dollars.

262As thetreasurerofthecandidateused committee shallpay totheState Treasurer, for deposit in thethis Generalsubsection, Fund,"principal an amount equal to the portion of anyan contributionsSB262 received/ byFile saidNo. exploratory committee that exceeded two hundred fifty dollars.

As210 used17 insSB262 thisFile subsection,No. "principal of an investment services firm" has the meaning set forth in subsection (e) of section 9-612 and "state office" has the same meaning set forth in subsection (e) of section 9-610.

210 investment services firm" has the meaning set forth in subsection (e) of section 9-612 and "state office" has the same meaning set forth in subsection (e) of section 9-610.

The affidavit shall include a written certification that the candidate either LCOintends {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-002618to abide by the expenditure limits under the Citizens' Election Program set forth in subsection (c) of 21section R01-SB.docx9-702, }or Substitutedoes Billnot No.intend to abide by said limits.

262If the candidate intends to abide by thesaid expenditurelimits, limitstheaffidavit undershallalso theinclude Citizens'writtencertifications(1)that Electionthetreasurer Programof setthe forthcandidate incommittee subsectionfor (c)said ofcandidate sectionshall 9-702,expend orany doesmoneys notsSB262 intend/ toFile abideNo. by said limits.

If210 the18 candidatesSB262 intendsFile toNo. abide by said limits, theaffidavit shallalso include writtencertifications(1)that thetreasurer of the candidate committee for said candidate shall expend any moneys received from the Citizens' Election Fund in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of section 9-607 and regulations adopted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission under subsection (e) of section 9-706, (2) that the candidate shall repay to the fund any such moneys that are not expended in accordance with subsection (g) of section 9-607 and said regulations, (3) that the candidate and the treasurer shall comply with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-711, and (4) stating the candidate's status as a major party, minor party or petitioning party candidate and, in the case of a major party or minor party candidate, the name of such party.

210 received from the Citizens' Election Fund in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of section 9-607 and regulations adopted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission under subsection (e) of section 9-706, (2) that the candidate shall repay to the fund any such moneys that are not expended in accordance with subsection (g) of section 9-607 and said regulations, (3) that the candidate and the treasurer shall comply with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-711, and (4) stating the candidate's status as a major party, minor party or petitioning party candidate and, in the case of a major party or minor party candidate, the name of such party.

Subsection (b) of section 9-709 of the general statutes is LCOrepealedandthefollowingissubstitutedinlieuthereof(EffectiveJanuary {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-002191, of2026): 21 R01-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.

262(b)If repealedandthefollowingissubstitutedinlieuthereof(EffectiveJanuarya 1,candidate 2026):for nominationor electionto theoffice ofLieutenant Governor is campaigning jointly with a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, the candidate committee and any sSB262 / File No.

(b)If210 a19 candidatesSB262 forFile nominationorNo. electionto theoffice ofLieutenant Governor is campaigning jointly with a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, the candidate committee and any exploratory committee for the candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor shall be dissolved as of the applicable date set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

210 exploratory committee for the candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor shall be dissolved as of the applicable date set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

2 January 1, 2026 9-604 January 1, 2026 Sec.

3 January 1, 2026 9-608(d) Sec.

8 January 1, 2026 9-602(b) and (c) LCOSec. {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00262-20 of 21 R01-SB.docx } Substitute Bill No.

262 Sec.

15 January 1, 2026 9-609(a) Sec.sSB262 / File No.

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210 Sec.

-LCO LCOsSB262 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00262-/ 21File ofNo. 21 R01-SB.docx }

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210 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 26 $ Elections Enforcement Commission GF - Cost 163,403 State Comptroller - Fringe Benefits1 GF - Cost 67,403 Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

Municipalities Effect FY 25 $ FY 26 $ Various Municipalities Potential Minimal Minimal Savings Explanation This bill shifts the requirement of filing for municipal candidates and candidate committees from the local level to the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) resulting in a cost of $163,403 in FY 26 and a cost of $67,404 in fringe benefits.

This funding will support two additional full-time employees for the SEEC which will increase consistent input of information into the SEEC's campaign reporting system (ECRIS) and increase staff availability to answer questions for municipal candidates and committees.

The bill removes the requirements for most candidates and candidate committees to file with their local town clerk's office resulting in 1The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller.

The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 41.25% of payroll in FY 25.

2This includes an IT Analyst 1 position at an annual rate of $83,350 and one Elections Officer at an annual rate of $80,053.

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210 22 sSB262 File No.

210 potentialsavingsfor municipalities.

Thisreduces the workloadfor some municipalities and eliminates a previous requirement to pay unsalaried town clerks $0.10 per filing.

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation and employee wage increases.

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210 OLR Bill Analysis SB 262 AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE FILINGS.

SUMMARY This bill makes the following changes in the campaign finance laws:

1.

requires various entities to file certain campaign financial disclosure statements with the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) rather than the town clerk;

2.

requiresthat municipalcampaign financial disclosure statements andall registrationstatementsbe filed withSEECthroughaweb- based program (i.e., eCRIS);

and 3.

modifies an existing exemption for refiling registration statements for certain political committees to conform to these changes and current practice.

The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

January 1, 2026 MUNICIPAL FILINGS The bill requires the following entities to file financial disclosure statements or exemption certifications with SEEC rather than with the town clerk:

1.

exploratory, candidate, and political state committees for municipal candidates;

2.

political committees for referendum questions to be voted on by a single municipality;

and 3.

a slate of candidates in a primary election for justice of the peace.

sSB262 / File No.

210 24 sSB262 File No.

210 If a slate of candidates for the office of justice of the peace unanimously agrees to be financed solely by a town committee, the bill requires the committee to file a consent statement with SEEC instead of the town clerk.

By law, unchanged by the bill, if a consent statement is filed, the slate is exempt from political committee requirements (CGS § 9-605).

Additionally, since these statements will no longer be filed with the town clerks, the bill makes conforming changes and replaces related requirements that SEEC prepare, print, and provide campaign financial disclosure forms to the town clerks and that unsalaried town clerks receive 10 cents from the town for each filing.

Instead, SEEC must make the forms available on the commission’s website.

SEEC must also print and distribute these forms to treasurers who have received a waiver to file electronically.

The bill also removes obsolete language referencing individual lobbyists filing with SEEC.

In practice, lobbyists register with the Office of State Ethics (CGS § 1-94).

ELECTRONIC FILING The bill also requires that the following statements be filed via a web- based program created by SEEC (i.e., eCRIS):

(1) municipal campaign financial disclosure statements for candidate and exploratory committees, (2) all certificates of exemptions from registration, and (3) all registration statements.

Existing law already requires the use of eCRIS for certain entities:

(1) treasurers for candidates and committees for certain state offices and (2) committees required to file with the commission.

Additionally, under current law, registration statements must be filed electronically or manually with the proper authority (i.e., SEEC or the town clerk).

The law also allows SEEC to waive the requirement to file electronically for good cause.

REGISTRATION EXEMPTION The bill also modifies an existing exemption to the requirement that sSB262 / File No.

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210 certain political committees reregister with SEEC.

Under current law, political committees required to file with SEEC must file a registration statement (1) within 10 days after organization and (2) by November 15 of each even-numbered year.

The bill narrows this exemption to political committees established solely for (1) aiding or promoting candidates for municipal office or (2) the success or defeat of a referendum question.

(These committees are generally not subject to the refiling requirement as they rarely last longer than one election.) COMMITTEE ACTION Government Administration and Elections Committee Joint Favorable Yea 14 Nay 5 (03/15/2024) sSB262 / File No.

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