Connecticut 2025 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 1517 — AN ACT CONCERNING REFERENDA, INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AND OTHER CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHANGES.

Last action — FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

71 added · 565 removed

71 line(s) added, 565 removed.

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Senate General Assembly File No.
General Assembly Substitute Bill No.
674 January Session, 2025 Substitute Senate Bill No.
1517 January Session, 2025 AN ACT CONCERNING REFERENDA, INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AND OTHER CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHANGES.
1517 Senate, April 14, 2025 The Committee on Government Administration and Elections reported through SEN.
FLEXER of the 29th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING REFERENDA, INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AND OTHER CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHANGES.
sSB1517 / File No.
(3) "Political committee" means (A) a committee organized by a business entity or organization, (B) persons other than individuals, or two or more individuals organized or acting jointly conducting their activities in or outside the state, (C) an exploratory committee, (D) a committee established by or on behalf of a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace, but does not mean a LCO 1 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 1 sSB1517 File No.
1517 candidate committee or a party committee, (E) a legislative caucus committee, [or] (F) a legislative leadership committee, or (G) an independent expenditure political committee.
674 (3) "Political committee" means (A) a committee organized by a business entity or organization, (B) persons other than individuals, or two or more individuals organized or acting jointly conducting their activities in or outside the state, (C) an exploratory committee, (D) a committee established by or on behalf of a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace, but does not mean a candidate committee or a party committee, (E) a legislative caucus committee, [or] (F) a legislative leadership committee, or (G) an independent expenditure political committee.
Any such person, other than a committee, shall file with the proper authority, as provided in section 9-603, (1) a long-form report and a short-form report pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this sSB1517 / File No.
Any such person, other than a committee, shall file with the proper authority, as provided in section 9-603, (1) a long-form report and a short-form report pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this sectionforsuchindependentexpenditureorexpenditures,or(2)ashort- form report pursuant to subsection (d) of this section for each subsequent independent expenditure made or obligated to be made.
674 2 sSB1517 File No.
(b) Any person who makes or obligates to make an independent expenditure or expenditures in an election or primary for the office of LCO 2 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 sectionforsuchindependentexpenditureorexpenditures,or(2)ashort- form report pursuant to subsection (d) of this section for each subsequent independent expenditure made or obligated to be made.
1517 Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Attorney General, state senator or state representative, [which] or to promote the success or defeat of a referendum question proposing a constitutional convention, constitutional amendment or revision of the Constitution, that exceed one thousand dollars, in the aggregate, during [a primary campaign or a general election campaign, as defined in section 9-700, shall file, electronically, a long-form and a short-form report of such independent expenditure or expenditures with the State Elections Enforcement Commission pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
(b) Any person who makes or obligates to make an independent expenditure or expenditures in an election or primary for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Attorney General, state senator or state representative, [which] or to promote the success or defeat of a referendum question proposing a constitutional convention, constitutional amendment or revision of the Constitution, that exceed one thousand dollars, in the aggregate, during [a primary campaign or a general election campaign, as defined in section 9-700, shall file, electronically, a long-form and a short-form report of such independent expenditure or expenditures with the State Elections Enforcement Commission pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
In the case of a special election for the office of state senator or state representative, if any person makes or obligates to make an independent expenditure or expenditures for such special election that exceed one thousand dollars, in the aggregate, prior to the day the Governor issues writs of election pursuant to section 9-215, such person sSB1517 / File No.
In the case of a special election for the office of state senator or state representative, if any person makes or obligates to make an independent expenditure or expenditures for such special election that exceed one thousand dollars, in the aggregate, prior to the day the Governor issues writs of election pursuant to section 9-215, such person shall file a report not later than twenty-four hours after such writs of election are issued.
674 3 sSB1517 File No.
674 shall file a report not later than twenty-four hours after such writs of election are issued.
(1) The name of the person making or obligating to make such independent expenditure or expenditures and, in the case of a person other than an individual, provide a certification that the person making such independent expenditure is not a foreign national;
(1) LCO 3 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
1517 The name of the person making or obligating to make such independent expenditure or expenditures and, in the case of a person other than an individual, provide a certification that the person making such independent expenditure is not a foreign national;
(2) the amount of the independent sSB1517 / File No.
(2) the amount of the independent expenditure;
674 4 sSB1517 File No.
674 expenditure;
(4) a brief description of the independent expenditure made, including the type of communication, based on categories determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, and the allocation of such independent expenditure in support of or in opposition to each such candidate or referendum question, if such independent expenditure was made in support of or in opposition to more than one candidate or referendum question;
(4) a brief description of the independent expenditure made, including the type of LCO 4 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
1517 communication, based on categories determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, and the allocation of such independent expenditure in support of or in opposition to each such candidate or referendum question, if such independent expenditure was made in support of or in opposition to more than one candidate or referendum question;
sSB1517 / File No.
(2) The provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply toanypersonwhodisclosesthesourceandamountofacoveredtransfer described in subdivision (1) of this subsection as part of any report to LCO 5 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 5 sSB1517 File No.
1517 the Federal Election Commission, [or] the Internal Revenue Service or any similar out-of-state agency, provided such person includes a copy of, or information sufficient to find, any such report as part of the report of each applicable independent expenditure filed pursuant to this section.
674 (2) The provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply toanypersonwhodisclosesthesourceandamountofacoveredtransfer described in subdivision (1) of this subsection as part of any report to the Federal Election Commission, [or] the Internal Revenue Service or any similar out-of-state agency, provided such person includes a copy of, or information sufficient to find, any such report as part of the report of each applicable independent expenditure filed pursuant to this section.
sSB1517 / File No.
(h) Any person may file a complaint with the commission upon the belief that (1) any such independent expenditure report or statement is LCO 6 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
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1517 false, or (2) any person who is required to file an independent expenditure report under this subsection has failed to do so.
674 (h) Any person may file a complaint with the commission upon the belief that (1) any such independent expenditure report or statement is false, or (2) any person who is required to file an independent expenditure report under this subsection has failed to do so.
(3) If the State Elections Enforcement Commission finds that a person is subject to a civil penalty under this subsection, (A) in the case of a committee, (i) the chairperson, and (ii) any officer, or (B) in the case of a person other than a committee, (i) the chief executive or chief financial officer, or equivalent, (ii) any other officer, and (iii) any manager who sSB1517 / File No.
(3) If the State Elections Enforcement Commission finds that a person is subject to a civil penalty under this subsection, (A) in the case of a committee, (i) the chairperson, and (ii) any officer, or (B) in the case of a person other than a committee, (i) the chief executive or chief financial officer, or equivalent, (ii) any other officer, and (iii) any manager who had direct, extensive and substantive decision-making authority over the independent expenditure or expenditures made or obligated to be LCO 7 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 7 sSB1517 File No.
1517 made by such person, shall be liable for paying any amount of such civil penalty imposed that is not paid by such person within one year after the latter of (I) the date on which the commission imposed such civil penalty, or (II) the date of the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction following any appeal taken from the commission's action in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.
674 had direct, extensive and substantive decision-making authority over the independent expenditure or expenditures made or obligated to be made by such person, shall be liable for paying any amount of such civil penalty imposed that is not paid by such person within one year after the latter of (I) the date on which the commission imposed such civil penalty, or (II) the date of the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction following any appeal taken from the commission's action in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.
(12) if the committee files reports with the Federal Elections Commission, the Internal Revenue Service or any similar out-of-state agency, a statement sSB1517 / File No.
(12) if the committee files reports with the Federal Elections Commission, the Internal Revenue Service or any similar out-of-state agency, a statement to that effect including the name of the agency and identifying information under which any such filings are made;
674 8 sSB1517 File No.
(13) a statement LCO 8 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 to that effect including the name of the agency and identifying information under which any such filings are made;
1517 indicating whether the committee is established for a single primary, election or referendum or for ongoing political activities;
(13) a statement indicating whether the committee is established for a single primary, election or referendum or for ongoing political activities;
(ii) for a political committee, other than an independent expenditure political committee described in subparagraph (A)(iv) of this subdivision, the promoting of a political party, including party building activities, the success or defeat of candidates for nomination and election to public office or position subject to the requirements of this chapter [,] or the success or defeat of referendum questions, sSB1517 / File No.
(ii) for a political committee, other than an independent expenditure political committee described in subparagraph (A)(iv) of this subdivision, the promoting of a political party, including party building activities, the success or defeat of candidates for nomination and election to public office or position subject to the requirements of this chapter [,] or the success or defeat of referendum questions, provided [a political committee formed for a single referendum question shall not promote the success or defeat of any candidate, and LCO 9 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 9 sSB1517 File No.
1517 provided further] a legislative leadership committee or a legislative caucus committee may expend funds to defray costs for conducting legislative or constituency-related business which are not reimbursed or paid by the state;
674 provided [a political committee formed for a single referendum question shall not promote the success or defeat of any candidate, and provided further] a legislative leadership committee or a legislative caucus committee may expend funds to defray costs for conducting legislative or constituency-related business which are not reimbursed or paid by the state;
(ii) Each political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of any referendum question, which receives contributions from a business entity or an organization] An independent expenditure political committee, other than an independent expenditure political committee formed for ongoing political activities, shall distribute its surplus to all contributors to the sSB1517 / File No.
(ii) Each political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of any referendum question, which receives contributions from a business entity or an organization] An independent expenditure political committee, other than an independent expenditure political committee formed for ongoing political activities, shall distribute its surplus to all contributors to the committee on a prorated basis of contribution, to state or municipal governments or agencies, or to any organization which is tax-exempt LCO 10 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 10 sSB1517 File No.
1517 under [said provisions] Sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended from time to time.
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674 committee on a prorated basis of contribution, to state or municipal governments or agencies, or to any organization which is tax-exempt under [said provisions] Sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended from time to time.
(b) (1) No individual shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, an exploratory committee, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars, if the candidate establishing the exploratory committee certifies on the statement of organization for the exploratory committee pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-604 that the candidate sSB1517 / File No.
(b) (1) No individual shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, an exploratory committee, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars, if the candidate establishing the exploratory committee certifies on the statement of organization for the exploratory committee pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-604 that the candidate will not be a candidate for the office of state representative.
674 11 sSB1517 File No.
No individual shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the LCO 11 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 will not be a candidate for the office of state representative.
1517 benefit of, any exploratory committee, in excess of two hundred fifty dollars,ifthecandidate establishing theexploratory committee doesnot so certify.
No individual shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, any exploratory committee, in excess of two hundred fifty dollars,ifthecandidate establishing theexploratory committee doesnot so certify.
(a)(1)Noindividualshallmakeacontributionorcontributionsinany sSB1517 / File No.
(a)(1)Noindividualshallmakeacontributionorcontributionsinany onecalendaryearinexcessoffifteenthousanddollarstothestatecentral committee of any party, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant LCO 12 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
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1517 to its authorization or request;
674 onecalendaryearinexcessoffifteenthousanddollarstothestatecentral committee of any party, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request;
sSB1517 / File No.
Sec.
674 13 sSB1517 File No.
674 Sec.
Section 9-613 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Section 9-613 of the general statutes is repealed and the LCO 13 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
(a)[No]Except asprovidedinsubsection(f)of thissection,a business entity shall not make any contributions or expenditures (1) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate's campaign for election to any public office or position subject to this chapter or for nomination at a primary for any such office or position, or (2) to promote the defeat of any candidate for any such office or position.
1517 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a)[No]Except asprovidedin subsection(f)of thissection,a business entity shall not make any contributions or expenditures (1) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate's campaign for election to any public office or position subject to this chapter or for nomination at a primary for any such office or position, or (2) to promote the defeat of any candidate for any such office or position.
(2) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller sSB1517 / File No.
(2) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller LCO 14 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 14 sSB1517 File No.
1517 or Attorney General, in excess of three thousand dollars;
674 or Attorney General, in excess of three thousand dollars;
[No] A political committee established by a firm which provides investment services and to which the State Treasurer pays compensation, expenses or fees or issues a contract shall not make a contribution to, or solicit contributions on behalf of, an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer during the term of office of the State Treasurer who does business with sSB1517 / File No.
[No] A political committee established by a firm which provides investment services and to which the State Treasurer pays compensation, expenses or fees or issues a contract shall not make a contribution to, or solicit contributions on behalf of, an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer during the term of office of the State Treasurer who does business with LCO 15 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 15 sSB1517 File No.
1517 such firm.
674 such firm.
The committee chairperson shall notify the repository with which the committee's most recent statement of sSB1517 / File No.
The committee chairperson shall notify the repository with which the committee's most recent statement of LCO 16 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 16 sSB1517 File No.
1517 organization is filed, in writing, of the committee's intent to alter its manner of funding.
674 organization is filed, in writing, of the committee's intent to alter its manner of funding.
or (6) any other office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars.
or (6) any other office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of three hundred seventy-five LCO 17 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
sSB1517 / File No.
1517 dollars.
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(b) [No such] A political committee established by an organization shall not make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, an exploratory committee, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars.
674 (b) [No such] A political committee established by an organization shall not make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, an exploratory committee, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars.
(a) (1) A political committee organized for ongoing political activities sSB1517 / File No.
LCO 18 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
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1517 (a) (1) A political committee organized for ongoing political activities may make unlimited contributions to, or for the benefit of, any national committee of a political party [;] or [a] any committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office.
674 may make unlimited contributions to, or for the benefit of, any national committee of a political party [;] or [a] any committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office.
Except as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, [no] a political committee [formed] established for a single election or primary shall not, with respect to such election or primary, make a contribution or contributions in excess of two thousand dollars to another political committee, provided [no such] a political committee established for a sSB1517 / File No.
Except as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, [no] a political committee [formed] established for a single election or primary shall not, with respect to such election or primary, make a contribution or contributions in excess of two thousand dollars to another political LCO 19 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 19 sSB1517 File No.
1517 committee, provided [no such] a political committee established for a single election or primary shall not make a contribution in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars to an exploratory committee.
674 single election or primary shall not make a contribution in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars to an exploratory committee.
Such committee may only make independent expenditures to aid or promote the success or defeat of a single referendum question, or of multiple referendum questionssubmitted to avote onthesame date.Subject to theprovisions of this chapter, such committee may accept contributions from any person.
Such committee may only make independent expenditures to aid or promote the success or defeat of a single referendum question, or of multiple referendum questionssubmitted to avote onthesame date.Subject to theprovisions of this chapter, such committee may accept contributions from any LCO 20 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
sSB1517 / File No.
1517 person.
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(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 provided 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.
674 (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 provided 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.
[(1)] (A) In the case of a business entity, organization or association, the name of the business entity, organization or association and the name of its chief executive officer or equivalent, and in the case such communication is made during the ninety-day period immediately prior to the referendum, such communication shall also bear on its face the names of the five persons who made the five largest aggregate covered transfers to such business sSB1517 / File No.
[(1)] (A) In the case of a business entity, organization or association, the name of the business entity, organization or association and the name of its chief executive officer or equivalent, and in the case such communication is made during the ninety-day period immediately prior to the referendum, such LCO 21 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
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1517 communication shall also bear on its face the names of the five persons who made the five largest aggregate covered transfers to such business entity, organization or association during the twelve-month period immediately prior to such referendum.
674 entity, organization or association during the twelve-month period immediately prior to such referendum.
(d) The provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to (1) any editorial, news story, or commentary published in any newspaper, magazine or journal on its own behalf and upon its own responsibility and for which it does not charge or receive any compensation whatsoever, (2) any banner, (3) political paraphernalia including pins, buttons, badges, emblems, hats, bumper stickers or other similar materials, or (4) signs with a surface area of not more than thirty-two square feet.
(d) The provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to (1) any editorial, news story, or commentary published in any newspaper, magazine or journal on its own behalf and upon its own responsibility and for which it does not charge or receive any compensation whatsoever, (2) any banner, (3) political paraphernalia including pins, buttons, badges, emblems, hats, bumper stickers or other similar materials, or (4) signs with a surface area of not more than LCO 22 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
sSB1517 / File No.
1517 thirty-two square feet.
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Sec.17.Subdivision(1)ofsubsection(h)ofsection9-621ofthegeneral statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
674 Sec.17.Subdivision(1)ofsubsection(h)ofsection9-621ofthegeneral statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Subsection (l) of section 9-621 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Subsection (l) of section 9-621 of the general statutes is LCO 23 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
sSB1517 / File No.
1517 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
674 23 sSB1517 File No.
(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- month period immediately prior to the primary, [or] election or referendum, as applicable, for which such independent expenditure is made.
674 (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- month period immediately prior to the primary, [or] election or referendum, as applicable, for which such independent expenditure is made.
If the commission does not, by the sixtieth day following receipt of the complaint, either issue a decision or render its determination that [probable cause or no probable cause] reason to believe or no reason to believe exists for any violation of state election sSB1517 / File No.
If the commission does not, by the sixtieth day LCO 24 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 24 sSB1517 File No.
1517 following receipt of the complaint, either issue a decision or render its determination that [probable cause or no probable cause] reason to believe or no reason to believe exists for any violation of state election laws, the complainant or respondent may apply to thesuperior courtfor the judicial district of Hartford for an order to show cause why the commission has not acted upon the complaint and to provide evidence that the commission has unreasonably delayed action.
674 laws, the complainant or respondent may apply to thesuperior courtfor the judicial district of Hartford for an order to show cause why the commission has not acted upon the complaint and to provide evidence that the commission has unreasonably delayed action.
(ii) For any complaint received on or after July 1, 2025, 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 the issuance of any such decision, (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 or 9- 601d,asamendedbythisact,or(V)anyinvestigationby,orconsultation 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.
(ii) For any complaint received on or after July 1, 2025, 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 the issuance of any such decision, (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 or 9- 601d,asamendedbythisact,or(V)anyinvestigationby,orconsultation 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 LCO 25 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
[(ii)] (iii) The provisions of [subparagraph (B)(i)] subparagraphs (B)(i) sSB1517 / File No.
1517 be added to such one year.
674 25 sSB1517 File No.
[(ii)] (iii) The provisions of [subparagraph (B)(i)] subparagraphs (B)(i) and (B)(ii) of this subdivision shall not apply to any complaint received on or after July 1, 2024, that relates to a potential violation of state election law by a foreign national.
674 and (B)(ii) of this subdivision shall not apply to any complaint received on or after July 1, 2024, that relates to a potential violation of state election law by a foreign national.
Subsection (a) of section 9-704 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Subsection (a) of section 9-704 of the general statutes is LCO 26 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
sSB1517 / File No.
1517 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
674 26 sSB1517 File No.
(a) The amount of qualifying contributions that the candidate committee of a candidate shall be required to receive in order to be eligible for grants from the Citizens' Election Fund shall be:
674 (a) The amount of qualifying contributions that the candidate committee of a candidate shall be required to receive in order to be eligible for grants from the Citizens' Election Fund shall be:
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision and 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, that exceedstwo hundredfifty dollars,and (ii) any such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amounts under this subdivision, (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 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, the two-hundred-fifty-dollar maximum individual 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.
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision and 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, that exceedstwo hundredfifty dollars,and (ii) any such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amounts under this subdivision, (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 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, the two-hundred-fifty-dollar maximum individual 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 LCO 27 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
sSB1517 / File No.
1517 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.
674 27 sSB1517 File No.
(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] 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.
674 (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] 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.
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision and 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 said candidate, that exceeds two hundred fifty dollars, and (ii) any such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amounts under this subdivision, (B) all contributions received by anexploratory committee establishedby saidcandidate that 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, the two-hundred-fifty-dollar maximum individual 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.
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision and 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 said candidate, that exceeds two hundred fifty dollars, and (ii) any such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amounts under this subdivision, (B) all contributions received by anexploratory committee establishedby saidcandidate that 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, the two-hundred-fifty-dollar maximum individual contribution amount provided in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be first adjusted under subdivision (1) of subsection LCO 28 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
sSB1517 / File No.
1517 (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.
674 28 sSB1517 File No.
(3) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of state senator for a district, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of fifteen thousand dollars, including contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in said district, except that in the case of a primary or election held in 2018, or thereafter, the aggregate contribution amount shall be first adjusted under subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of this section and then rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars with exactly fifty dollars rounded upward.
674 (3) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of state senator for a district, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of fifteen thousand dollars, including contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in said district, except that in the case of a primary or election held in 2018, or thereafter, the aggregate contribution amount shall be first adjusted under subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of this section and then rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars with exactly fifty dollars rounded upward.
(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 three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district unless the contribution is five dollars or more, [and] (C) all contributions received by an exploratory 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 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, 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 sSB1517 / File No.
(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 three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district unless the contribution is five dollars or more, [and] (C) all contributions received by an exploratory 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 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, or thereafter, the two-hundred-fifty- LCO 29 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 29 sSB1517 File No.
1517 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.
674 the applicable contribution limit set forth in subsection (a) of section 9- 611, as amended by this act.
(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 five dollars or more, (C) all contributions received by an exploratory 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 sSB1517 / File No.
(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 five dollars or more, (C) all contributions received by an exploratory 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 LCO 30 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
674 30 sSB1517 File No.
1517 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 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.
674 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.
9 from passage 9-612(a) and (b) Sec.
9 from passage 9-612(a) and (b) LCO 31 of 32 Substitute Bill No.
1517 Sec.
13 from passage 9-618(a) Sec.
13 from passage 9-618(a) from passage Sec.
14 from passage 9-619(a) Sec.
14 9-619(a) Sec.
17 from passage 9-621(h)(1) sSB1517 / File No.
17 from passage 9-621(h)(1) Sec.
674 31 sSB1517 File No.
674 Sec.
20 from passage 9-7a(g)(1) Sec.
20 from passage 9-7a(g)(1) from passage Sec.
21 from passage 53a-119(18) Sec.
21 53a-119(18) Sec.
22 from passage 9-704(a) Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
22 from passage 9-704(a) GAE Joint Favorable Subst.
The title was changed.
-LCO JUD Joint Favorable LCO 32 of 32
GAE Joint Favorable Subst.
-LCO sSB1517 / File No.
674 32 sSB1517 File No.
674 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 $ FY 27 $ Resources of the Citizen's CEF - Potential Minimal Minimal Election Fund Savings Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential See Below See Below Revenue Gain Note:
GF=General Fund CEF= Citizens' Election Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill makes a variety of changes regarding campaign finance and election laws including independent expenditures and political action committees resulting in the fiscal impacts outlined below.
Section 4, increases the civil penalties that the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) may impose resulting in potential revenue to the resources of the general fund.
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.
This section additionally expands what may be considered a false statement, which results in potential revenue gain to the General Fund from fines.
Few, if any, additional violations are expected to occur.
sSB1517 / File No.
674 33 sSB1517 File No.
674 Section 22, creates an additional requirement that candidates participating in the Citizen's Election Program (CEP) receive a number of qualifying contributions from in-state residents resulting in potential minimal savings for the resources of the Citizens' Election Fund.
The exact impact will depend on the number of candidates who will no longer qualify for grants because of this provision.
The remaining sections of the bill make a variety of changes that result in no fiscal impact to the state or municipalities.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation and the number of penalties imposed.
sSB1517 / File No.
674 34 sSB1517 File No.
674 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 1517 AN ACT CONCERNING REFERENDA, INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AND OTHER CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHANGES.
SUMMARY This bill changes laws affecting campaign finance and elections, including independent expenditures (IE) and political action committees (PAC).
Principally, it does the following:
1.
codifies “independent expenditure political committee” (known as an IE-only PAC) as a type of 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 IE disclosure 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.
eliminates aggregate individual contribution limits to certain committees, which conforms with current practice (§ 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);
sSB1517 / File No.
674 35 sSB1517 File No.
674 9.
modifies the deadline by which a person must return surplus funds from the Citizens’ Election Fund (CEF) before he or she is guilty of larceny (§ 21);
10.
requires statewide candidates seeking to participate in the Citizen’s Election Program (CEP) to receive a certain number of in-state contributions (§ 22);
and 11.
caps the inflation adjustments to CEP qualifying contributions (QCs) to match the limit generally applicable under the state’s campaign finance laws (§ 22).
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, which are expenditures 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 an “independent expenditure political committee” as a type of PAC under Connecticut’s campaign finance laws and, like other committees that make IEs, requires their registration with SEEC.
It defines them as PACs that 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 only make contributions to other IE-only PACs.
It also classifies referendum PACs sSB1517 / File No.
674 36 sSB1517 File No.
674 as IE-only PACs.
Lawful Purposes (§ 6) Existing law generally allows PACs to pay specific expenses to accomplish their lawful purposes.
Under the bill, an IE-only PAC’s “lawful purposes” are 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.
It also expands the “lawful purposes” of party committees to include promoting the success or defeat of referendum questions.
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 sSB1517 / File No.
674 37 sSB1517 File No.
674 make IEs only for these purposes.
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, a person must file certain reports to disclose information about their IEs that exceed $1,000 in the aggregate.
A “person” is an individual, committee, firm, partnership, organization, association, syndicate, company trust, corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity (other than the state or its political or administrative subdivisions) (CGS § 9-601(10)).
The bill does the following:
1.
changestheperiodduring whichIE disclosure reportsare subject to a 24-hour electronic filing deadline;
2.
expands disclosure requirements for persons that make IEs without forming a PAC (known as “incidental spenders”);
3.
extends the law’s covered transfer requirements to IEs related to certain referenda and generally expands an exemption to these requirements;
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 sSB1517 / File No.
674 38 sSB1517 File No.
674 Under current law, a person must electronically file a disclosure report within 24 hours after making or obligating to make an IE during 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 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.
For a special election, a person that makes or obligates to make an IE that exceeds $1,000 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, for a long-form report, they must additionally disclose, for a referendum, its date, the question’s text, and whether the IE supported or opposed it.
For the short-form report, it must also disclose, for a referendum, the question’s text and the allocation of the expenditure in support of or opposition to it.
sSB1517 / File No.
674 39 sSB1517 File No.
674 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 Federal Election Commission (FEC) or the IRS, as long as the person includes a copy of the report in the statement it files with SEEC.
The bill extends this exemption to (1) apply to similar out-of-state agency reports and (2) persons that include information sufficient for SEEC to find their out-of-state, FEC, or IRS filing in their IE 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 the report and disclaimer to 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 sSB1517 / File No.
674 40 sSB1517 File No.
674 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 court issues a final judgment 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 2.
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 sSB1517 / File No.
674 41 sSB1517 File No.
674 include reports filed with the IRS and requires the statement to 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 (e.g., a labor union) indicate the name of the entity or organization and, if established by a person other than a human being, a certification that the person making the expenditure is not a foreign national.
§ 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).
§§ 16-19 — POLITICAL ATTRIBUTIONS IEs and Referenda (§§ 16, 17 & 19) By law, printed, video, and audio political communications (both IEs and non-IEs) must include certain attributions, known as “disclaimers.” Among other things, they must identify the person making the expenditure for the communication.
Under current law, only the disclaimer requirements for written, typed,or other printedcommunicationsapply to expendituresmadefor a referendum.
For IEs promoting a referendum question’s success or defeat, the bill extends existing law’s disclaimer requirements for election- and primary-related IEs made for video and audio sSB1517 / File No.
674 42 sSB1517 File No.
674 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 must also state the names of the five persons that made thefive largest coveredtransferstotheIE-maker,intheaggregate, 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, concerning 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 party committees (i.e.
town and state central committees) to 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 a party committee, legislative caucus committee, or legislative leadership committee to use the appropriate disclaimer in organization expenditures for party candidate listings.
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 sSB1517 / File No.
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674 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 (1) lowers the statutory standard required for the commission to determine a violation exists and (2) narrows the circumstances under which SEEC must dismiss a complaint within one year after receiving it.
Standards for Investigating and Docketing Under existing law, SEEC staff must evaluate written complaints it receives and determine whether or not to, among other resolutions, investigate and docket a complaint for a determination by the commission.
Currently, the commission must determine if probable cause of a violation does or does not exist.
The bill instead requires SEEC, in conformance with existing practice, to determine if it has reason, or no reason, to believe a violation exists.
After SEECmakesa determination about aviolation,it generally may (1) initiate a contested case under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, (2) refer the matter to the chief state’s attorney’s office for criminal prosecution, (3) attempt to informally resolve the matter, or (4)dismissit.
(SEEC regulationsgenerallyprohibit thecommissionfrom 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).) Time Limit Currently, SEEC must dismiss a complaint it receives on or after January 1, 2018, if it does not issue a final decision 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, 2025.
It instead requires the commission to dismiss after one sSB1517 / File No.
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674 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 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.
any investigation by, or 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.
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.
§ 21 — FAILURE TO RETURN SURPLUS CEF FUNDS By law, candidates participating in the Citizens’ Election Program receive a grant from the Citizens’ Election Fund (CEF).
Under current law, a person is guilty of larceny if he or she does not repay surplus CEF funds within 90 days after the election or primary for which the grant is made.
sSB1517 / File No.
674 45 sSB1517 File No.
674 Thebillinsteadalignsthisdeadlinewithstatecampaignfinancelaw’s deadline for distributing surplus funds (see § 7 above).
The campaign finance law sets several surplus distribution deadlines that exceed 90 days after an election or primary.
§ 22 — CEP QUALIFYING CONTRIBUTION DONORS 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 qualifying contributions (QCs), which must come from individual donors.
The bill requires that CEP candidates for (1) governor receive QCs from at least 2,250 in-state residents and (2) other statewide offices receive QCs from at least 675 in-state residents.
Current law does not set a minimum number of contributors for these offices.
Under existing law, individual QC amounts range from $5 to $250, with an inflation-adjusted $320 maximum for the 2024 election.
The bill capsinflation-adjustedmaximumQCamountsatthebroadlyapplicable limits for contributions by an individual for the relevant office set in state campaign finance law.
Under existing law, these limits are (1) $3,500 for governor;
(2) $2,000 for other statewide offices (i.e.
lieutenant governor, secretary of the state, state treasurer, state comptroller, and attorney general);
(3) $1,000 for state senator;
and (4) $250 for state representative (CGS § 9-611(a)).
BACKGROUND Aggregate Contribution Limits In McCutcheon et al.
v.
Federal Election Commission, 134 S.
Ct.
1434 (2014), the U.S.
Supreme Court held that aggregate limits on contributions by individuals to federal candidates, political parties, and PACs were unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
In Advisory Opinion 2014-03, SEEC announced that, unless it received further guidance from the legislature or a court of competent jurisdiction, it would no longer enforce current law’s $30,000 aggregate limit on contributions by individuals during a single primary and electionto (1)candidate committees,(2)exploratory committees,and(3) sSB1517 / File No.
674 46 sSB1517 File No.
674 slate committees for justice of the peace (in a primary).
IE-Only PACs In Declaratory Ruling 2013-02, SEEC ruled that, in light of a line of cases ruling that contribution limits to IE-only PACs are unconstitutional, it would no longer enforce limits on contributions to PACsthatreceiveandspendfundsonlyforIEsunlessitreceivedfurther guidance from the legislature or a court.
Long- and Short-Form IE Reports As part of these reports, a person must disclose the source and amount of any covered transfer of $5,000 or more in the aggregate that it received during the 12 months before the applicable primary or election.
This requirement applies if the IE for which the report is being filed is made or obligated to bemade 180 daysor less before theprimary or election (CGS § 9-601d(f)).
Related Bills SB 515 (File 478), favorably reported by the Government Oversight Committee, adjusts the timing of inflation adjustments for QCs.
SB 1405 (File 489), favorably reported by the Government Oversight Committee, among other things, amends the definition of organization expenditure and party candidate listing, adjusts the timing of inflation adjustments for QCs, modifies political advertising disclaimer requirements, and restricts the timing of commission actions.
SB 1409 (File 493), favorably reported by the Government Oversight Committee, generally requires all municipal campaign finance filings to be filed with SEEC instead of the municipality.
SB 1533, favorably reported by the Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee, makes identical changes as this bill regarding the definition of “organization expenditure” and adjusts the timing of inflation adjustments for QCs.
HB 7089 (File 512), favorably reported by the Government Oversight Committee, amends the definition of “organization expenditure” and adjusts the timing of inflation adjustments for QCs.
sSB1517 / File No.
674 47 sSB1517 File No.
674 HB 7093 (File 516), favorably reported by the Government Oversight Committee, makes identical changes.
HB 7221 (File 649), favorably reported by the GAE Committee, generallyrequiresallmunicipalcampaignfinancefilingstobefiledwith SEEC instead of the municipality.
HB 7222, favorably reported by the GAE Committee, among other things, makes identical changes as this bill regarding the definition of “organization expenditure” and adjusts the timing of inflation adjustments for QCs.
sHB 7246, favorably reported by the GAE Committee, among other things, amends the definitions of “organization expenditure” and “solicit.” COMMITTEE ACTION Government Administration and Elections Committee Joint Favorable Yea 19 Nay 0 (03/26/2025) sSB1517 / File No.
674 48
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Action History

  1. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  2. NO NEW FILE BY COMM. ON Judiciary

  3. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  4. FILED WITH LCO

  5. Joint Favorable

  6. IMMEDIATE TRANSMITTAL TO COMMITTEE

  7. REF. BY SEN. TO COMM. ON Judiciary

  8. FILE NO. 674

  9. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 363

  10. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  11. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  12. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/14/25

  13. FILED WITH LCO

  14. Joint Favorable

  15. PUBLIC HEARING 0321

  16. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections

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Not signed on (187)

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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