House Bill 3801

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    Florida House of Representatives - 1998                HB 3801

        By Representatives Turnbull and Brown






  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to campaign financing; amending

  3         s. 106.011, F.S.; revising definitions of the

  4         terms "contribution," "independent

  5         expenditure," and "political advertisement";

  6         defining the term "in coordination with";

  7         amending s. 106.021, F.S.; eliminating a

  8         provision that authorizes the unrestricted

  9         expenditure of funds for the purpose of jointly

10         endorsing three or more candidates; amending s.

11         106.087, F.S., relating to restrictions on

12         independent expenditures, to eliminate a

13         similar provision, to conform; amending s.

14         106.08, F.S.; providing limits on contributions

15         to political parties; revising limits on

16         contributions to candidates by political

17         parties; providing penalties; amending ss.

18         106.087 and 106.29, F.S.; correcting cross

19         references, to conform; reenacting s.

20         106.19(1)(a), F.S., relating to penalties

21         applicable to acceptance of contributions in

22         excess of limits provided by law, to

23         incorporate the amendment to s. 106.08, F.S.,

24         in a reference thereto; providing an effective

25         date.

26

27  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

28

29         Section 1.  Subsections (3), (5), and (17) of section

30  106.011, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (18) is

31  added to said section, to read:

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  1         106.011  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the

  2  following terms have the following meanings unless the context

  3  clearly indicates otherwise:

  4         (3)  "Contribution" means:

  5         (a)  A gift, subscription, conveyance, deposit, loan,

  6  payment, or distribution of money or anything of value,

  7  including contributions in kind having an attributable

  8  monetary value in any form, made for the purpose of

  9  influencing the results of an election.

10         (b)  A transfer of funds between political committees,

11  between committees of continuous existence, or between a

12  political committee and a committee of continuous existence.

13         (c)  The payment, by any person other than a candidate

14  or political committee, of compensation for the personal

15  services of another person which are rendered to a candidate

16  or political committee without charge to the candidate or

17  committee for such services.

18         (d)  The transfer of funds by a campaign treasurer or

19  deputy campaign treasurer between a primary depository and a

20  separate interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit,

21  and the term includes any interest earned on such account or

22  certificate.

23         (e)  Any political advertisement, other than an

24  independent expenditure, that is paid for by a national,

25  state, or county executive committee of a political party,

26  including any subordinate committee of a national, state, or

27  county executive committee of a political party, that refers

28  to a clearly identified candidate.

29         (f)  Any political advertisement that is made in

30  coordination with a candidate and that refers to a clearly

31  identified candidate.

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  1         (g)  Any political advertisement, other than an

  2  independent expenditure, that refers to a clearly identified

  3  candidate and that is distributed at any point during the

  4  period following the last day of qualifying for that office

  5  through the general election.

  6

  7  Notwithstanding the foregoing meanings of "contribution," the

  8  word shall not be construed to include services, including,

  9  but not limited to, legal and accounting services, provided

10  without compensation by individuals volunteering a portion or

11  all of their time on behalf of a candidate or political

12  committee.  This definition shall not be construed to include

13  editorial endorsements.

14         (5)(a)  "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure

15  by a person for the purpose of advocating the election or

16  defeat of a candidate or the approval or rejection of an

17  issue, which expenditure is not controlled by, made in

18  coordination coordinated with, or made upon consultation with,

19  any candidate, political committee, or agent of such candidate

20  or committee. An expenditure for such purpose by a person

21  having a contract with the candidate, political committee, or

22  agent of such candidate or committee in a given election

23  period shall not be deemed an independent expenditure.

24         (b)  An expenditure for the purpose of advocating the

25  election or defeat of a candidate which is made by the

26  national, state, or county executive committee of a political

27  party, including any subordinate committee of a national,

28  state, or county executive committee of a political party, or

29  by any political committee or committee of continuous

30  existence, or any other person, shall not be considered an

31

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  1  independent expenditure if the committee or person makes the

  2  expenditure in coordination with any candidate.:

  3         1.  Communicates with the candidate, the candidate's

  4  campaign, or an agent of the candidate acting on behalf of the

  5  candidate, including any pollster, media consultant,

  6  advertising agency, vendor, advisor, or staff member,

  7  concerning the preparation of, use of, or payment for, the

  8  specific expenditure or advertising campaign at issue; or

  9         2.  Makes a payment in cooperation, consultation, or

10  concert with, at the request or suggestion of, or pursuant to

11  any general or particular understanding with the candidate,

12  the candidate's campaign, a political committee supporting the

13  candidate, or an agent of the candidate relating to the

14  specific expenditure or advertising campaign at issue; or

15         3.  Makes a payment for the dissemination,

16  distribution, or republication, in whole or in part, of any

17  broadcast or any written, graphic, or other form of campaign

18  material prepared by the candidate, the candidate's campaign,

19  or an agent of the candidate, including any pollster, media

20  consultant, advertising agency, vendor, advisor, or staff

21  member; or

22         4.  Makes a payment based on information about the

23  candidate's plans, projects, or needs communicated to a member

24  of the committee or person by the candidate or an agent of the

25  candidate, provided the committee or person uses the

26  information in any way, in whole or in part, either directly

27  or indirectly, to design, prepare, or pay for the specific

28  expenditure or advertising campaign at issue; or

29         5.  After the last day of qualifying for statewide or

30  legislative office, consults about the candidate's plans,

31  projects, or needs in connection with the candidate's pursuit

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  1  of election to office and the information is used in any way

  2  to plan, create, design, or prepare an independent expenditure

  3  or advertising campaign, with:

  4         a.  Any officer, director, employee, or agent of a

  5  national, state, or county executive committee of a political

  6  party that has made or intends to make expenditures in

  7  connection with or contributions to the candidate; or

  8         b.  Any person whose professional services have been

  9  retained by a national, state, or county executive committee

10  of a political party that has made or intends to make

11  expenditures in connection with or contributions to the

12  candidate; or

13         6.  After the last day of qualifying for statewide or

14  legislative office, retains the professional services of any

15  person also providing those services to the candidate in

16  connection with the candidate's pursuit of election to office;

17  or

18         7.  Arranges, coordinates, or directs the expenditure,

19  in any way, with the candidate or an agent of the candidate.

20         (17)  "Political advertisement" means a paid expression

21  in any communications media prescribed in subsection (13),

22  whether radio, television, newspaper, magazine, periodical,

23  campaign literature, direct mail, or display or by means other

24  than the spoken word in direct conversation, which shall

25  support or oppose any candidate, elected public official,

26  political party, or issue, regardless of whether the

27  communication contains the words "vote for" or "re-elect" or

28  any similar words or statement. However, political

29  advertisement does not include:

30         (a)  A statement by an organization, in existence prior

31  to the time during which a candidate qualifies or an issue is

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  1  placed on the ballot for that election, in support of or

  2  opposition to a candidate or issue, in that organization's

  3  newsletter, which newsletter is distributed only to the

  4  members of that organization.

  5         (b)  Editorial endorsements by any newspaper, radio or

  6  television station, or other recognized news medium.

  7         (18)  "In coordination with" means a person engages in

  8  any of the following:

  9         (a)  Has a contract with the candidate, political

10  committee, or agent of such candidate or committee in a given

11  election period.

12         (b)  Communicates with the candidate, the candidate's

13  campaign committee, or an agent of the candidate acting on

14  behalf of the candidate, including any pollster, media

15  consultant, advertising agency, vendor, advisor, or staff

16  member, about any advertising, message, allocation of

17  resources, fundraising, or other campaign matters related to

18  the candidate's campaign, including campaign operations,

19  staffing, tactics, or strategy.

20         (c)  Makes a payment in cooperation, consultation, or

21  concert with, at the request or suggestion of, or pursuant to

22  any general or particular understanding with the candidate,

23  the candidate's campaign committee, or an agent of the

24  candidate or committee.

25         (d)  Makes a payment for the dissemination,

26  distribution, or republication, in whole or in part, of any

27  broadcast or any written, graphic, or other form of campaign

28  material prepared by the candidate, the candidate's campaign

29  or committee, or an agent of the candidate or committee,

30  including any pollster, media consultant, advertising agency,

31  vendor, advisor, or staff member.

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  1         (e)  Makes a payment based on information about the

  2  candidate's plans, projects, or needs communicated to a member

  3  of the committee or person by the candidate or an agent of the

  4  candidate, provided the committee or person uses the

  5  information in any way, in whole or in part, either directly

  6  or indirectly, to design, prepare, or pay for any specific

  7  expenditure or the advertising campaign at issue.

  8         (f)  After the last day of qualifying for statewide or

  9  legislative office, consults about the candidate's plans,

10  projects, or needs in connection with the candidate's pursuit

11  of election to office and the information is used in any way

12  to plan, create, design, or prepare an independent expenditure

13  or advertising campaign, with:

14         1.  Any officer, director, employee, or agent of a

15  national, state, or county executive committee of a political

16  party that has made or intends to make expenditures in

17  connection with or contributions to the candidate; or

18         2.  Any person whose professional services have been

19  retained by a national, state, or county executive committee

20  of a political party that has made or intends to make

21  expenditures in connection with or contributions to the

22  candidate.

23         (g)  After the last day of qualifying for statewide or

24  legislative office, retains the professional services of any

25  person who has provided or is providing those services to the

26  candidate in connection with the candidate's pursuit of

27  election to office.

28         (h)  Arranges, coordinates, or directs an expenditure,

29  in any way, with the candidate or an agent of the candidate.

30         Section 2.  Subsection (3) of section 106.021, Florida

31  Statutes, is amended to read:

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  1         106.021  Campaign treasurers; deputies; primary and

  2  secondary depositories.--

  3         (3)  Except for independent expenditures, no

  4  contribution or expenditure, including contributions or

  5  expenditures of a candidate or of the candidate's family,

  6  shall be directly or indirectly made or received in

  7  furtherance of the candidacy of any person for nomination or

  8  election to political office in the state or on behalf of any

  9  political committee except through the duly appointed campaign

10  treasurer of the candidate or political committee. However,

11  expenditures may be made directly by any political committee

12  or political party regulated by chapter 103 for obtaining

13  time, space, or services in or by any communications medium

14  for the purpose of jointly endorsing three or more candidates,

15  and any such expenditure shall not be considered a

16  contribution or expenditure to or on behalf of any such

17  candidates for the purposes of this chapter.

18         Section 3.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section

19  106.087, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

20         106.087  Independent expenditures; contribution limits;

21  restrictions on political parties, political committees, and

22  committees of continuous existence.--

23         (2)(a)  Any political committee or committee of

24  continuous existence that accepts the use of public funds,

25  equipment, personnel, or other resources to collect dues from

26  its members agrees not to make independent expenditures in

27  support of or opposition to a candidate or elected public

28  official. However, expenditures may be made for the sole

29  purpose of jointly endorsing three or more candidates.

30         Section 4.  Section 106.08, Florida Statutes, is

31  amended to read:

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  1         106.08  Contributions; limitations on.--

  2         (1)(a)  Except for political parties, no person,

  3  political committee, or committee of continuous existence may,

  4  in any election, make contributions in excess of $500 to any

  5  candidate for election to or retention in office or to any

  6  political committee supporting or opposing one or more

  7  candidates. Candidates for the offices of Governor and

  8  Lieutenant Governor on the same ticket are considered a single

  9  candidate for the purpose of this section.

10         (b)1.  The contribution limits provided in this

11  subsection do not apply to contributions made by a state or

12  county executive committee of a political party regulated by

13  chapter 103 or to amounts contributed by a candidate to his or

14  her own campaign.

15         2.  Notwithstanding the limits provided in this

16  subsection, an unemancipated child under the age of 18 years

17  of age may not make a contribution in excess of $100 to any

18  candidate or to any political committee supporting one or more

19  candidates.

20         (c)  The contribution limits of this subsection apply

21  to each election.  For purposes of this subsection, the first

22  primary, second primary, and general election are separate

23  elections so long as the candidate is not an unopposed

24  candidate as defined in s. 106.011(15).  However, for the

25  purpose of contribution limits with respect to candidates for

26  retention as a justice of the Supreme Court or judge of a

27  district court of appeal, there is only one election, which is

28  the general election, and with respect to candidates for

29  circuit judge or county court judge, there are only two

30  elections, which are the first primary election and general

31  election.

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  1         (2)  A person, political committee, or committee of

  2  continuous existence may not make contributions to the state

  3  and county executive committees of a political party,

  4  including any subordinate committee of a state or county

  5  executive committee of a political party, which contributions,

  6  including in-kind contributions, in the aggregate in any

  7  calendar year exceed $5,000.

  8         (3)(2)(a)  A candidate may not accept contributions

  9  from national, state, including any subordinate committee of a

10  national, state, or county committee of a political party, and

11  county executive committees of a political party, including

12  any subordinate committee of a national, state, or county

13  executive committee of a political party, which contributions,

14  including in-kind contributions, in the aggregate in any

15  calendar year exceed $5,000 $50,000, no more than $25,000 of

16  which may be accepted prior to the 28-day period immediately

17  preceding the date of the general election.

18         (b)  National, state, and county executive committees

19  of a political party, including any subordinate committee of a

20  national, state, or county executive committee of a political

21  party, may not make contributions to a candidate, which

22  contributions, including in-kind contributions, in the

23  aggregate in any calendar year exceed $5,000.

24         (b)  Polling services, research services, costs for

25  campaign staff, professional consulting services, and

26  telephone calls are not contributions to be counted toward the

27  contribution limits of paragraph (a). Any item not expressly

28  identified in this paragraph as nonallocable is a contribution

29  in an amount equal to the fair market value of the item and

30  must be counted as allocable toward the $50,000 contribution

31  limits of paragraph (a). Nonallocable, in-kind contributions

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  1  must be reported by the candidate under s. 106.07 and by the

  2  political party under s. 106.29.

  3         (4)(3)(a)  Any contribution received by a candidate

  4  with opposition in an election or by the campaign treasurer or

  5  a deputy campaign treasurer of such a candidate on the day of

  6  that election or less than 5 days prior to the day of that

  7  election must be returned by him or her to the person or

  8  committee contributing it and may not be used or expended by

  9  or on behalf of the candidate.

10         (b)  Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c), any

11  contribution received by a candidate or by the campaign

12  treasurer or a deputy campaign treasurer of a candidate after

13  the date at which the candidate withdraws his or her

14  candidacy, or after the date the candidate is defeated,

15  becomes unopposed, or is elected to office must be returned to

16  the person or committee contributing it and may not be used or

17  expended by or on behalf of the candidate.

18         (c)  With respect to any campaign for an office in

19  which an independent or minor party candidate has filed as

20  required in s. 99.0955 or s. 99.096, but whose qualification

21  is pending a determination by the Department of State or

22  supervisor of elections as to whether or not the required

23  number of petition signatures was obtained:

24         1.  The department or supervisor shall, no later than 3

25  days after that determination has been made, notify in writing

26  all other candidates for that office of that determination.

27         2.  Any contribution received by a candidate or the

28  campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer of a candidate

29  after the candidate has been notified in writing by the

30  department or supervisor that he or she has become unopposed

31  as a result of an independent or minor party candidate failing

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  1  to obtain the required number of petition signatures shall be

  2  returned to the person, political committee, or committee of

  3  continuous existence contributing it and shall not be used or

  4  expended by or on behalf of the candidate.

  5         (5)(4)  Any contribution received by the chair,

  6  campaign treasurer, or deputy campaign treasurer of a

  7  political committee supporting or opposing a candidate with

  8  opposition in an election or supporting or opposing an issue

  9  on the ballot in an election on the day of that election or

10  less than 5 days prior to the day of that election may not be

11  obligated or expended by the committee until after the date of

12  the election.

13         (6)(5)  A person may not make any contribution through

14  or in the name of another, directly or indirectly, in any

15  election.  Candidates, political committees, and political

16  parties may not solicit contributions from or make

17  contributions to any religious, charitable, civic, or other

18  causes or organizations established primarily for the public

19  good. However, it is not a violation of this subsection for a

20  candidate, political committee, or political party executive

21  committee to make gifts of money in lieu of flowers in memory

22  of a deceased person or for a candidate to continue membership

23  in, or make regular donations from personal or business funds

24  to, religious, political party, civic, or charitable groups of

25  which the candidate is a member or to which the candidate has

26  been a regular donor for more than 6 months.  A candidate may

27  purchase, with campaign funds, tickets, admission to events,

28  or advertisements from religious, civic, political party, or

29  charitable groups.

30         (7)(6)  A political party may not accept any

31  contribution which has been specifically designated for the

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  1  partial or exclusive use of a particular candidate.  Any

  2  contribution so designated must be returned to the contributor

  3  and may not be used or expended by or on behalf of the

  4  candidate.

  5         (8)(7)(a)  Any person who knowingly and willfully makes

  6  no more than one contribution in violation of subsection (1),

  7  subsection (2), or subsection (6) (5), or any person who

  8  knowingly and willfully fails or refuses to return any

  9  contribution as required in subsection (4) (3), commits a

10  misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.

11  775.082 or s. 775.083.  If any corporation, partnership, or

12  other business entity or any political party, political

13  committee, or committee of continuous existence is convicted

14  of knowingly and willfully violating any provision punishable

15  under this paragraph, it shall be fined not less than $1,000

16  and not more than $10,000.  If it is a domestic entity, it may

17  be ordered dissolved by a court of competent jurisdiction; if

18  it is a foreign or nonresident business entity, its right to

19  do business in this state may be forfeited.  Any officer,

20  partner, agent, attorney, or other representative of a

21  corporation, partnership, or other business entity or of a

22  political party, political committee, or committee of

23  continuous existence who aids, abets, advises, or participates

24  in a violation of any provision punishable under this

25  paragraph commits a misdemeanor of the first degree,

26  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

27         (b)  Any person who knowingly and willfully makes two

28  or more contributions in violation of subsection (1),

29  subsection (2), or subsection (6) (5) commits a felony of the

30  third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.

31  775.083, or s. 775.084.  If any corporation, partnership, or

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  1  other business entity or any political party, political

  2  committee, or committee of continuous existence is convicted

  3  of knowingly and willfully violating any provision punishable

  4  under this paragraph, it shall be fined not less than $10,000

  5  and not more than $50,000.  If it is a domestic entity, it may

  6  be ordered dissolved by a court of competent jurisdiction; if

  7  it is a foreign or nonresident business entity, its right to

  8  do business in this state may be forfeited.  Any officer,

  9  partner, agent, attorney, or other representative of a

10  corporation, partnership, or other business entity, or of a

11  political committee, committee of continuous existence, or

12  political party who aids, abets, advises, or participates in a

13  violation of any provision punishable under this paragraph

14  commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided

15  in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

16         (9)(8)  Except when otherwise provided in subsection

17  (8) (7), any person who knowingly and willfully violates any

18  provision of this section shall, in addition to any other

19  penalty prescribed by this chapter, pay to the state a sum

20  equal to twice the amount contributed in violation of this

21  chapter.  Each campaign treasurer shall pay all amounts

22  contributed in violation of this section to the state for

23  deposit in the General Revenue Fund.

24         (10)(9)  This section does not apply to the transfer of

25  funds between a primary campaign depository and a savings

26  account or certificate of deposit or to any interest earned on

27  such account or certificate.

28         Section 5.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

29  106.087, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

30

31

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  1         106.087  Independent expenditures; contribution limits;

  2  restrictions on political parties, political committees, and

  3  committees of continuous existence.--

  4         (1)(a)  As a condition of receiving a rebate of filing

  5  fees and party assessment funds pursuant to s. 99.061(2), s.

  6  99.092(1), s. 99.103, or s. 103.121(1)(b), the chair or

  7  treasurer of a state or county executive committee shall take

  8  and subscribe to an oath or affirmation in writing. During the

  9  qualifying period for state candidates and prior to

10  distribution of such funds, a printed copy of the oath or

11  affirmation shall be filed with the Secretary of State and

12  shall be substantially in the following form:

13

14  State of Florida

15  County of....

16         Before me, an officer authorized to administer oaths,

17  personally appeared ...(name)..., to me well known, who, being

18  sworn, says that he or she is the ...(title)... of the

19  ...(name of party)... ...(state or specified county)...

20  executive committee; that the executive committee has not

21  made, either directly or indirectly, an independent

22  expenditure in support of or opposition to a candidate or

23  elected public official in the prior 6 months; that the

24  executive committee will not make, either directly or

25  indirectly, an independent expenditure in support of or

26  opposition to a candidate or elected public official, through

27  and including the upcoming general election; and that the

28  executive committee will not violate the contribution limits

29  applicable to candidates under s. 106.08(3)(2), Florida

30  Statutes.

31                          ...(Signature of committee officer)...

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  1                                                 ...(Address)...

  2

  3  Sworn to and subscribed before me this .... day of ....,

  4  19...., at .... County, Florida.

  5       ...(Signature and title of officer administering oath)...

  6

  7         Section 6.  Subsection (6) of section 106.29, Florida

  8  Statutes, is amended to read:

  9         106.29  Reports by political parties; restrictions on

10  contributions and expenditures; penalties.--

11         (6)(a)  The national, state, and county executive

12  committees of a political party may not contribute to any

13  candidate any amount in excess of the limits contained in s.

14  106.08(3)(2), and all contributions required to be reported

15  under s. 106.08(2) by the national executive committee of a

16  political party shall be reported by the state executive

17  committee of that political party.

18         (b)  A violation of the contribution limits contained

19  in s. 106.08(3)(2) is a misdemeanor of the first degree,

20  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A civil

21  penalty equal to three times the amount in excess of the

22  limits contained in s. 106.08(3)(2) shall be assessed against

23  any executive committee found in violation thereof.

24         Section 7.  For the purpose of incorporating the

25  amendment to section 106.08, Florida Statutes, in a references

26  thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 106.19,

27  Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

28         106.19  Violations by candidates, persons connected

29  with campaigns, and political committees.--

30         (1)  Any candidate; campaign manager, campaign

31  treasurer, or deputy treasurer of any candidate; committee

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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 1998                HB 3801

    558-136A-98






  1  chair, vice chair, campaign treasurer, deputy treasurer, or

  2  other officer of any political committee; agent or person

  3  acting on behalf of any candidate or political committee; or

  4  other person who knowingly and willfully:

  5         (a)  Accepts a contribution in excess of the limits

  6  prescribed by s. 106.08;

  7

  8  is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as

  9  provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

10         Section 8.  This act shall take effect January 1 of the

11  year after the year in which enacted.

12

13            *****************************************

14                          HOUSE SUMMARY

15
      Revises definitions of the terms "contribution,"
16    "independent expenditure," and "political advertisement"
      and defines the term "in coordination with." Eliminates
17    provisions that authorize the unrestricted expenditure of
      funds for the purpose of jointly endorsing three or more
18    candidates. Provides a specified annual aggregate
      contribution limit to contributions from any one person,
19    political committee, or committee of continuous existence
      to a political party and to contributions from a
20    political party to a candidate. See bill for details.

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