1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to campaign financing; providing a short |
3 | title; amending s. 106.143, F.S.; providing an alternative |
4 | statement that may be used to identify a candidate as the |
5 | sponsor of a political advertisement under certain |
6 | circumstances; providing circumstances under which certain |
7 | campaign messages and political advertisements are not |
8 | required to state or display specific information |
9 | regarding the identity of the candidate, his or her party |
10 | affiliation, and the office sought in the message or |
11 | advertisement; authorizing a candidate or political |
12 | committee to place a statement on a social networking |
13 | website or account indicating that the site or account is |
14 | an official site or account approved by the candidate or |
15 | political committee; prohibiting an official designation |
16 | without the prior approval by the candidate or political |
17 | committee; amending s. 106.011, F.S.; revising the |
18 | definition of the term "political committee" to remove |
19 | certain reporting requirements included in the exclusion |
20 | of electioneering communications organizations from the |
21 | definition; revising the definition of the term "filing |
22 | officer" to expand applicability to electioneering |
23 | communications organizations; revising the definition of |
24 | the term "electioneering communication" to conform to |
25 | certain federal requirements and to delineate what |
26 | constitutes such a communication; revising the definition |
27 | of the term "electioneering communications organization"; |
28 | amending s. 106.03, F.S.; revising the registration |
29 | requirements for electioneering communications |
30 | organizations; revising the statement of organization |
31 | requirements; revising rule adoption requirements relating |
32 | to dissolution of political committees and electioneering |
33 | communications organizations; amending s. 106.0703, F.S.; |
34 | consolidating reporting requirements in ch. 106, F.S., |
35 | applicable to electioneering communications organizations; |
36 | providing penalties; conforming provisions; prohibiting |
37 | the use of credit cards by electioneering communications |
38 | organizations; amending s. 106.0705, F.S., relating to |
39 | electronic filing of campaign treasurer's reports; |
40 | conforming provisions; amending s. 106.071, F.S.; |
41 | increasing the aggregate amount of expenditures required |
42 | for filing certain reports related to independent |
43 | expenditures or electioneering communications; amending s. |
44 | 106.08, F.S.; removing certain limitations on |
45 | contributions received by an electioneering communications |
46 | organization; amending s. 106.1439, F.S.; providing |
47 | identification requirements for certain electioneering |
48 | communications; providing an exception for telephone |
49 | calls; amending s. 106.147, F.S., relating to telephone |
50 | solicitation disclosure requirements; removing |
51 | requirements relating to electioneering communication, to |
52 | conform; reenacting ss. 106.011(1)(b), (3), (4), (18), and |
53 | (19), 106.022(1), 106.03(1)(b), 106.04(5), 106.0703, |
54 | 106.0705(2)(b), 106.071(1), 106.08(7), 106.1437, 106.1439, |
55 | and 106.17, F.S., relating to definitions, registered |
56 | office and agent requirements, registration requirements, |
57 | prohibited activities for committees of continuous |
58 | existence, additional reporting requirements, electronic |
59 | filing requirements, expenditure reports, penalties for |
60 | violations pertaining to limitations on contributions, |
61 | miscellaneous advertisements, electioneering |
62 | communications disclaimers and penalties for failure to |
63 | include disclaimers, and polls and surveys pertaining to |
64 | candidacies, to cure and conform; providing an effective |
65 | date. |
66 |
|
67 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
68 |
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69 | Section 1. Section 2 of this act may be cited as the |
70 | "Technology in Elections Act." |
71 | Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 106.143, Florida |
72 | Statutes, is amended, present subsection (8) of that section is |
73 | renumbered as subsection (9), and a new subsection (8) is added |
74 | to that section, to read: |
75 | 106.143 Political advertisements circulated prior to |
76 | election; requirements.- |
77 | (1)(a) Any political advertisement that is paid for by a |
78 | candidate and that is published, displayed, or circulated prior |
79 | to, or on the day of, any election must prominently state: |
80 | 1. "Political advertisement paid for and approved by |
81 | ...(name of candidate)..., ...(party affiliation)..., for |
82 | ...(office sought)...."; or |
83 | 2. "Paid by ...(name of candidate)..., ...(party |
84 | affiliation)..., for ...(office sought)...." |
85 | (b) Any other political advertisement published, |
86 | displayed, or circulated prior to, or on the day of, any |
87 | election must prominently: |
88 | 1. Be marked "paid political advertisement" or with the |
89 | abbreviation "pd. pol. adv." |
90 | 2. State the name and address of the persons sponsoring |
91 | the advertisement. |
92 | 3.a.(I) State whether the advertisement and the cost of |
93 | production is paid for or provided in kind by or at the expense |
94 | of the entity publishing, displaying, broadcasting, or |
95 | circulating the political advertisement; or |
96 | (II) State who provided or paid for the advertisement and |
97 | cost of production, if different from the source of sponsorship. |
98 | b. This subparagraph does not apply if the source of the |
99 | sponsorship is patently clear from the content or format of the |
100 | political advertisement. |
101 | (c) Any political advertisement made pursuant to s. |
102 | 106.021(3)(d) must be marked "paid political advertisement" or |
103 | with the abbreviation "pd. pol. adv." and must prominently |
104 | state, "Paid for and sponsored by ...(name of person paying for |
105 | political advertisement).... Approved by ...(names of persons, |
106 | party affiliation, and offices sought in the political |
107 | advertisement)...." |
108 |
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109 | This subsection does not apply to campaign messages used by a |
110 | candidate and the candidate's supporters if those messages are |
111 | designed to be worn by a person. |
112 | (8) This section does not apply to any campaign message or |
113 | political advertisement used by a candidate and the candidate's |
114 | supporters or by a political committee if the message or |
115 | advertisement is: |
116 | (a) Designed to be worn by a person. |
117 | (b) Placed as a paid link on an Internet website, provided |
118 | the message or advertisement is no more than 200 characters in |
119 | length and the link directs the user to another Internet website |
120 | that complies with subsection (1). |
121 | (c) Placed as a graphic or picture link where compliance |
122 | with the requirements of this section is not reasonably |
123 | practical due to the size of the graphic or picture link and the |
124 | link directs the user to another Internet website that complies |
125 | with subsection (1). |
126 | (d) Placed at no cost on an Internet website for which |
127 | there is no cost to post content for public users. |
128 | (e) Placed or distributed on an unpaid profile or account |
129 | which is available to the public without charge or on a social |
130 | networking Internet website, as long as the source of the |
131 | message or advertisement is patently clear from the content or |
132 | format of the message or advertisement. A candidate or political |
133 | committee may prominently display a statement indicating that |
134 | the website or account is an official website or account of the |
135 | candidate or political committee and is approved by the |
136 | candidate or political committee. A website or account may not |
137 | be marked as official without prior approval by the candidate or |
138 | political committee. |
139 | (f) Distributed as a text message or other message via |
140 | Short Message Service, provided the message is no more than 200 |
141 | characters in length or requires the recipient to sign up or opt |
142 | in to receive it. |
143 | (g) Connected with or included in any software application |
144 | or accompanying function, provided that the user signs up, opts |
145 | in, downloads, or otherwise accesses the application from or |
146 | through a website that complies with subsection (1). |
147 | (h) Sent by a third-party user from or through a campaign |
148 | or committee's website, provided the website complies with |
149 | subsection (1). |
150 | (i) Contained in or distributed through any other |
151 | technology-related item, service, or device for which compliance |
152 | with subsection (1) is not reasonably practical due to the size |
153 | or nature of such item, service, or device as available, or the |
154 | means of displaying the message or advertisement makes |
155 | compliance with subsection (1) impracticable. |
156 | (9)(8) Any person who willfully violates any provision of |
157 | this section is subject to the civil penalties prescribed in s. |
158 | 106.265. |
159 | Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section |
160 | 106.011, Florida Statutes, is reenacted and amended, subsections |
161 | (3) and (4) of that section are reenacted, subsection (14) of |
162 | that section is amended, and subsections (18) and (19) of that |
163 | section are reenacted and amended, to read: |
164 | 106.011 Definitions.-As used in this chapter, the |
165 | following terms have the following meanings unless the context |
166 | clearly indicates otherwise: |
167 | (1) |
168 | (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the following entities |
169 | are not considered political committees for purposes of this |
170 | chapter: |
171 | 1. Organizations which are certified by the Department of |
172 | State as committees of continuous existence pursuant to s. |
173 | 106.04, national political parties, and the state and county |
174 | executive committees of political parties regulated by chapter |
175 | 103. |
176 | 2. Corporations regulated by chapter 607 or chapter 617 or |
177 | other business entities formed for purposes other than to |
178 | support or oppose issues or candidates, if their political |
179 | activities are limited to contributions to candidates, political |
180 | parties, or political committees or expenditures in support of |
181 | or opposition to an issue from corporate or business funds and |
182 | if no contributions are received by such corporations or |
183 | business entities. |
184 | 3. Electioneering communications organizations as defined |
185 | in subsection (19); however, such organizations shall be |
186 | required to register with and report expenditures and |
187 | contributions, including contributions received from committees |
188 | of continuous existence, to the Division of Elections in the |
189 | same manner, at the same time, and subject to the same penalties |
190 | as a political committee supporting or opposing an issue or a |
191 | legislative candidate, except as otherwise specifically provided |
192 | in this chapter. |
193 | (3) "Contribution" means: |
194 | (a) A gift, subscription, conveyance, deposit, loan, |
195 | payment, or distribution of money or anything of value, |
196 | including contributions in kind having an attributable monetary |
197 | value in any form, made for the purpose of influencing the |
198 | results of an election or making an electioneering |
199 | communication. |
200 | (b) A transfer of funds between political committees, |
201 | between committees of continuous existence, between |
202 | electioneering communications organizations, or between any |
203 | combination of these groups. |
204 | (c) The payment, by any person other than a candidate or |
205 | political committee, of compensation for the personal services |
206 | of another person which are rendered to a candidate or political |
207 | committee without charge to the candidate or committee for such |
208 | services. |
209 | (d) The transfer of funds by a campaign treasurer or |
210 | deputy campaign treasurer between a primary depository and a |
211 | separate interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit, and |
212 | the term includes any interest earned on such account or |
213 | certificate. |
214 |
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215 | Notwithstanding the foregoing meanings of "contribution," the |
216 | word shall not be construed to include services, including, but |
217 | not limited to, legal and accounting services, provided without |
218 | compensation by individuals volunteering a portion or all of |
219 | their time on behalf of a candidate or political committee. This |
220 | definition shall not be construed to include editorial |
221 | endorsements. |
222 | (4)(a) "Expenditure" means a purchase, payment, |
223 | distribution, loan, advance, transfer of funds by a campaign |
224 | treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer between a primary |
225 | depository and a separate interest-bearing account or |
226 | certificate of deposit, or gift of money or anything of value |
227 | made for the purpose of influencing the results of an election |
228 | or making an electioneering communication. However, |
229 | "expenditure" does not include a purchase, payment, |
230 | distribution, loan, advance, or gift of money or anything of |
231 | value made for the purpose of influencing the results of an |
232 | election when made by an organization, in existence prior to the |
233 | time during which a candidate qualifies or an issue is placed on |
234 | the ballot for that election, for the purpose of printing or |
235 | distributing such organization's newsletter, containing a |
236 | statement by such organization in support of or opposition to a |
237 | candidate or issue, which newsletter is distributed only to |
238 | members of such organization. |
239 | (b) As used in this chapter, an "expenditure" for an |
240 | electioneering communication is made when the earliest of the |
241 | following occurs: |
242 | 1. A person enters into a contract for applicable goods or |
243 | services; |
244 | 2. A person makes payment, in whole or in part, for the |
245 | production or public dissemination of applicable goods or |
246 | services; or |
247 | 3. The electioneering communication is publicly |
248 | disseminated. |
249 | (14) "Filing officer" means the person before whom a |
250 | candidate qualifies, the agency or officer with whom a political |
251 | committee or an electioneering communications organization |
252 | registers, or the agency by whom a committee of continuous |
253 | existence is certified. |
254 | (18)(a) "Electioneering communication" means any |
255 | communication publicly distributed by a television station, |
256 | radio station, cable television system, satellite system, |
257 | newspaper, magazine, direct mail, or telephone a paid expression |
258 | in any communications media prescribed in subsection (13) by |
259 | means other than the spoken word in direct conversation that: |
260 | 1. Refers to or depicts a clearly identified candidate for |
261 | office or contains a clear reference indicating that an issue is |
262 | to be voted on at an election, without expressly advocating the |
263 | election or defeat of a candidate but that is susceptible of no |
264 | reasonable interpretation other than an appeal to vote for or |
265 | against a specific candidate; or the passage or defeat of an |
266 | issue. |
267 | 2. Is made within 30 days before a primary or special |
268 | primary election or 60 days before any other election for the |
269 | office sought by the candidate; and |
270 | 3. Is For communications referring to or depicting a |
271 | clearly identified candidate for office, is targeted to the |
272 | relevant electorate. A communication is considered targeted if |
273 | 1,000 or more persons in the geographic area the candidate would |
274 | represent if elected will receive the communication. |
275 | 3. For communications containing a clear reference |
276 | indicating that an issue is to be voted on at an election, is |
277 | published after the issue is designated a ballot position or 120 |
278 | days before the date of the election on the issue, whichever |
279 | occurs first. |
280 | (b) The term "electioneering communication" does not |
281 | include: |
282 | 1. A communication disseminated through a means of |
283 | communication other than a television station, radio station, |
284 | cable television system, satellite system, newspaper, magazine, |
285 | direct mail, telephone, or statement or depiction by an |
286 | organization, in existence prior to the time during which a |
287 | candidate named or depicted qualifies or an issue identified is |
288 | placed on the ballot for that election, made in that |
289 | organization's newsletter, which newsletter is distributed only |
290 | to members of that organization. |
291 | 2. A communication in a news story, commentary, or |
292 | editorial distributed through the facilities of any radio |
293 | station, television station, cable television system, or |
294 | satellite system, unless the facilities are owned or controlled |
295 | by any political party, political committee, or candidate. A |
296 | news story distributed through the facilities owned or |
297 | controlled by any political party, political committee, or |
298 | candidate may nevertheless be exempt if it represents a bona |
299 | fide news account communicated through a licensed broadcasting |
300 | facility and the communication is part of a general pattern of |
301 | campaign-related news accounts that give reasonably equal |
302 | coverage to all opposing candidates in the area An editorial |
303 | endorsement, news story, commentary, or editorial by any |
304 | newspaper, radio, television station, or other recognized news |
305 | medium. |
306 | 3. A communication that constitutes a public debate or |
307 | forum that includes at least two opposing candidates for an |
308 | office or one advocate and one opponent of an issue, or that |
309 | solely promotes such a debate or forum and is made by or on |
310 | behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum, provided |
311 | that: |
312 | a. The staging organization is either: |
313 | (I) A charitable organization that does not make other |
314 | electioneering communications and does not otherwise support or |
315 | oppose any political candidate or political party; or |
316 | (II) A newspaper, radio station, television station, or |
317 | other recognized news medium; and |
318 | b. The staging organization does not structure the debate |
319 | to promote or advance one candidate or issue position over |
320 | another. |
321 | (c) For purposes of this chapter, an expenditure made for, |
322 | or in furtherance of, an electioneering communication shall not |
323 | be considered a contribution to or on behalf of any candidate. |
324 | (d) For purposes of this chapter, an electioneering |
325 | communication shall not constitute an independent expenditure |
326 | nor be subject to the limitations applicable to independent |
327 | expenditures. |
328 | (19) "Electioneering communications organization" means |
329 | any group, other than a political party, political committee, or |
330 | committee of continuous existence, whose election-related |
331 | activities are limited to making expenditures for electioneering |
332 | communications or accepting contributions for the purpose of |
333 | making electioneering communications and whose activities would |
334 | not otherwise require the group to register as a political |
335 | party, political committee, or committee of continuous existence |
336 | under this chapter. |
337 | Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 106.022, Florida |
338 | Statutes, is reenacted to read: |
339 | 106.022 Appointment of a registered agent; duties.- |
340 | (1) Each political committee, committee of continuous |
341 | existence, or electioneering communications organization shall |
342 | have and continuously maintain in this state a registered office |
343 | and a registered agent and must file with the division a |
344 | statement of appointment for the registered office and |
345 | registered agent. The statement of appointment must: |
346 | (a) Provide the name of the registered agent and the |
347 | street address and phone number for the registered office; |
348 | (b) Identify the entity for whom the registered agent |
349 | serves; |
350 | (c) Designate the address the registered agent wishes to |
351 | use to receive mail; |
352 | (d) Include the entity's undertaking to inform the |
353 | division of any change in such designated address; |
354 | (e) Provide for the registered agent's acceptance of the |
355 | appointment, which must confirm that the registered agent is |
356 | familiar with and accepts the obligations of the position as set |
357 | forth in this section; and |
358 | (f) Contain the signature of the registered agent and the |
359 | entity engaging the registered agent. |
360 | Section 5. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section |
361 | 106.03, Florida Statutes, is reenacted and amended, and |
362 | subsections (2), (4), and (7) of that section are amended, to |
363 | read: |
364 | 106.03 Registration of political committees and |
365 | electioneering communications organizations.- |
366 | (1) |
367 | (b)1. Each electioneering communications organization that |
368 | receives anticipates receiving contributions or makes making |
369 | expenditures during a calendar year in an aggregate amount |
370 | exceeding $5,000 shall file a statement of organization as |
371 | provided in subparagraph 2. subsection (3) by expedited delivery |
372 | within 24 hours after its organization or, if later, within 24 |
373 | hours after the date on which it receives has information that |
374 | causes the organization to anticipate that it will receive |
375 | contributions or makes make expenditures for an electioneering |
376 | communication in excess of $5,000. |
377 | 2.a. In a statewide, legislative, or multicounty election, |
378 | an electioneering communications organization shall file a |
379 | statement of organization with the Division of Elections. |
380 | b. In a countywide election or any election held on less |
381 | than a countywide basis, except as described in sub-subparagraph |
382 | c., an electioneering communications organization shall file a |
383 | statement of organization with the supervisor of elections of |
384 | the county in which the election is being held. |
385 | c. In a municipal election, an electioneering |
386 | communications organization shall file a statement of |
387 | organization with the officer before whom municipal candidates |
388 | qualify. |
389 | d. Any electioneering communications organization that |
390 | would be required to file a statement of organization in two or |
391 | more locations by reason of the organization's intention to |
392 | support or oppose candidates at state or multicounty and local |
393 | levels of government need only file a statement of organization |
394 | with the Division of Elections. |
395 | (2) The statement of organization shall include: |
396 | (a) The name, mailing address, and street address of the |
397 | committee or electioneering communications organization; |
398 | (b) The names, street addresses, and relationships of |
399 | affiliated or connected organizations; |
400 | (c) The area, scope, or jurisdiction of the committee or |
401 | electioneering communications organization; |
402 | (d) The name, mailing address, street address, and |
403 | position of the custodian of books and accounts; |
404 | (e) The name, mailing address, street address, and |
405 | position of other principal officers, including the treasurer |
406 | and deputy treasurer including officers and members of the |
407 | finance committee, if any; |
408 | (f) The name, address, office sought, and party |
409 | affiliation of: |
410 | 1. Each candidate whom the committee is supporting; |
411 | 2. Any other individual, if any, whom the committee is |
412 | supporting for nomination for election, or election, to any |
413 | public office whatever; |
414 | (g) Any issue or issues the committee such organization is |
415 | supporting or opposing; |
416 | (h) If the committee is supporting the entire ticket of |
417 | any party, a statement to that effect and the name of the party; |
418 | (i) A statement of whether the committee is a continuing |
419 | one; |
420 | (j) Plans for the disposition of residual funds which will |
421 | be made in the event of dissolution; |
422 | (k) A listing of all banks, safe-deposit boxes, or other |
423 | depositories used for committee or electioneering communications |
424 | organization funds; and |
425 | (l) A statement of the reports required to be filed by the |
426 | committee or the electioneering communications organization with |
427 | federal officials, if any, and the names, addresses, and |
428 | positions of such officials; and |
429 | (m) A statement of whether the electioneering |
430 | communications organization was formed as a newly created |
431 | organization during the current calendar quarter or was formed |
432 | from an organization existing prior to the current calendar |
433 | quarter. For purposes of this subsection, calendar quarters end |
434 | the last day of March, June, September, and December. |
435 | (4) Any change in information previously submitted in a |
436 | statement of organization shall be reported to the agency or |
437 | officer with whom such committee or electioneering |
438 | communications organization is required to register pursuant to |
439 | subsection (3), within 10 days following the change. |
440 | (7) The Division of Elections shall adopt promulgate rules |
441 | to prescribe the manner in which inactive committees and |
442 | electioneering communications organizations may be dissolved and |
443 | have their registration canceled. Such rules shall, at a |
444 | minimum, provide for: |
445 | (a) Notice which shall contain the facts and conduct which |
446 | warrant the intended action, including but not limited to |
447 | failure to file reports and limited activity. |
448 | (b) Adequate opportunity to respond. |
449 | (c) Appeal of the decision to the Florida Elections |
450 | Commission. Such appeals shall be exempt from the |
451 | confidentiality provisions of s. 106.25. |
452 | Section 6. Subsection (5) of section 106.04, Florida |
453 | Statutes, is reenacted to read: |
454 | 106.04 Committees of continuous existence.- |
455 | (5) No committee of continuous existence shall make an |
456 | electioneering communication, contribute to any candidate or |
457 | political committee an amount in excess of the limits contained |
458 | in s. 106.08(1), or participate in any activity which is |
459 | prohibited by this chapter. If any violation occurs, it shall be |
460 | punishable as provided in this chapter for the given offense. No |
461 | funds of a committee of continuous existence shall be expended |
462 | on behalf of a candidate, except by means of a contribution made |
463 | through the duly appointed campaign treasurer of a candidate. No |
464 | such committee shall make expenditures in support of, or in |
465 | opposition to, an issue unless such committee first registers as |
466 | a political committee pursuant to this chapter and undertakes |
467 | all the practices and procedures required thereof; provided such |
468 | committee may make contributions in a total amount not to exceed |
469 | 25 percent of its aggregate income, as reflected in the annual |
470 | report filed for the previous year, to one or more political |
471 | committees registered pursuant to s. 106.03 and formed to |
472 | support or oppose issues. |
473 | Section 7. Section 106.0703, Florida Statutes, is |
474 | reenacted and amended to read: |
475 | 106.0703 Electioneering communications organizations; |
476 | additional reporting requirements; certification and filing; |
477 | penalties.- |
478 | (1)(a) Each electioneering communications organization |
479 | shall file regular reports of all contributions received and all |
480 | expenditures made by or on behalf of the organization. Reports |
481 | shall be filed on the 10th day following the end of each |
482 | calendar quarter from the time the organization is registered. |
483 | However, if the 10th day following the end of a calendar quarter |
484 | occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the report shall |
485 | be filed on the next following day that is not a Saturday, |
486 | Sunday, or legal holiday. Quarterly reports shall include all |
487 | contributions received and expenditures made during the calendar |
488 | quarter that have not otherwise been reported pursuant to this |
489 | section. |
490 | (b) Following the last day of candidates qualifying for |
491 | office, the reports shall be filed on the 32nd, 18th, and 4th |
492 | days immediately preceding the primary election and on the 46th, |
493 | 32nd, 18th, and 4th days immediately preceding the general |
494 | election. |
495 | (c) When a special election is called to fill a vacancy in |
496 | office, all electioneering communications organizations making |
497 | contributions or expenditures to influence the results of the |
498 | special election shall file reports with the filing officer on |
499 | the dates set by the Department of State pursuant to s. 100.111. |
500 | (d) In addition to the reports required by paragraph (a), |
501 | an electioneering communications organization that is registered |
502 | with the Department of State and that makes a contribution or |
503 | expenditure to influence the results of a county or municipal |
504 | election that is not being held at the same time as a state or |
505 | federal election must file reports with the county or municipal |
506 | filing officer on the same dates as county or municipal |
507 | candidates or committees for that election. The electioneering |
508 | communications organization must also include the expenditure in |
509 | the next report filed with the Division of Elections pursuant to |
510 | this section following the county or municipal election. |
511 | (e) The filing officer shall make available to each |
512 | electioneering communications organization a schedule |
513 | designating the beginning and end of reporting periods as well |
514 | as the corresponding designated due dates. |
515 | (2)(a) Except as provided in s. 106.0705, the reports |
516 | required of an electioneering communications organization shall |
517 | be filed with the filing officer not later than 5 p.m. of the |
518 | day designated. However, any report postmarked by the United |
519 | States Postal Service no later than midnight of the day |
520 | designated shall be deemed to have been filed in a timely |
521 | manner. Any report received by the filing officer within 5 days |
522 | after the designated due date that was delivered by the United |
523 | States Postal Service shall be deemed timely filed unless it has |
524 | a postmark that indicates that the report was mailed after the |
525 | designated due date. A certificate of mailing obtained from and |
526 | dated by the United States Postal Service at the time of |
527 | mailing, or a receipt from an established courier company, which |
528 | bears a date on or before the date on which the report is due, |
529 | shall be proof of mailing in a timely manner. Reports shall |
530 | contain information of all previously unreported contributions |
531 | received and expenditures made as of the preceding Friday, |
532 | except that the report filed on the Friday immediately preceding |
533 | the election shall contain information of all previously |
534 | unreported contributions received and expenditures made as of |
535 | the day preceding the designated due date. All such reports |
536 | shall be open to public inspection. |
537 | (b)1. Any report that is deemed to be incomplete by the |
538 | officer with whom the electioneering communications organization |
539 | files shall be accepted on a conditional basis. The treasurer of |
540 | the electioneering communications organization shall be |
541 | notified, by certified mail or other common carrier that can |
542 | establish proof of delivery for the notice, as to why the report |
543 | is incomplete. Within 7 days after receipt of such notice, the |
544 | treasurer must file an addendum to the report providing all |
545 | information necessary to complete the report in compliance with |
546 | this section. Failure to file a complete report after such |
547 | notice constitutes a violation of this chapter. |
548 | 2. Notice is deemed sufficient upon proof of delivery of |
549 | written notice to the mailing or street address of the treasurer |
550 | or registered agent of the electioneering communication |
551 | organization on record with the filing officer. |
552 | (3)(a) Each report required by this section must contain: |
553 | 1. The full name, address, and occupation, if any, of each |
554 | person who has made one or more contributions to or for such |
555 | electioneering communications organization within the reporting |
556 | period, together with the amount and date of such contributions. |
557 | For corporations, the report must provide as clear a description |
558 | as practicable of the principal type of business conducted by |
559 | the corporation. However, if the contribution is $100 or less, |
560 | the occupation of the contributor or the principal type of |
561 | business need not be listed. |
562 | 2. The name and address of each political committee from |
563 | which or to which the reporting electioneering communications |
564 | organization made any transfer of funds, together with the |
565 | amounts and dates of all transfers. |
566 | 3. Each loan for electioneering communication purposes to |
567 | or from any person or political committee within the reporting |
568 | period, together with the full names, addresses, and occupations |
569 | and principal places of business, if any, of the lender and |
570 | endorsers, if any, and the date and amount of such loans. |
571 | 4. A statement of each contribution, rebate, refund, or |
572 | other receipt not otherwise listed under subparagraphs 1.-3. |
573 | 5. The total sums of all loans, in-kind contributions, and |
574 | other receipts by or for such electioneering communications |
575 | organization during the reporting period. The reporting forms |
576 | shall be designed to elicit separate totals for in-kind |
577 | contributions, loans, and other receipts. |
578 | 6. The full name and address of each person to whom |
579 | expenditures have been made by or on behalf of the |
580 | electioneering communications organization within the reporting |
581 | period and the amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure. |
582 | 7. The full name and address of each person to whom an |
583 | expenditure for personal services, salary, or reimbursement for |
584 | expenses has been made and that is not otherwise reported, |
585 | including the amount, date, and purpose of the expenditure. |
586 | 8. The total sum of expenditures made by the |
587 | electioneering communications organization during the reporting |
588 | period. |
589 | 9. The amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by |
590 | or to the electioneering communications organization that relate |
591 | to the conduct of any electioneering communication. |
592 | 10. The amount and nature of any separate interest-bearing |
593 | accounts or certificates of deposit and identification of the |
594 | financial institution in which such accounts or certificates of |
595 | deposit are located. |
596 | 11. The primary purposes of an expenditure made indirectly |
597 | through an electioneering communications organization for goods |
598 | and services, such as communications media placement or |
599 | procurement services and other expenditures that include |
600 | multiple components as part of the expenditure. The primary |
601 | purpose of an expenditure shall be that purpose, including |
602 | integral and directly related components, that comprises 80 |
603 | percent of such expenditure. |
604 | (b) The filing officer shall make available to any |
605 | electioneering communications organization a reporting form |
606 | which the electioneering communications organization may use to |
607 | indicate contributions received by the electioneering |
608 | communications organization but returned to the contributor |
609 | before deposit. |
610 | (4) The treasurer of the electioneering communications |
611 | organization shall certify as to the correctness of each report, |
612 | and each person so certifying shall bear the responsibility for |
613 | the accuracy and veracity of each report. Any treasurer who |
614 | willfully certifies the correctness of any report while knowing |
615 | that such report is incorrect, false, or incomplete commits a |
616 | misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. |
617 | 775.082 or s. 775.083. |
618 | (5) The electioneering communications organization |
619 | depository shall provide statements reflecting deposits and |
620 | expenditures from the account to the treasurer, who shall retain |
621 | the records pursuant to s. 106.06. The records maintained by the |
622 | depository with respect to the account shall be subject to |
623 | inspection by an agent of the Division of Elections or the |
624 | Florida Elections Commission at any time during normal banking |
625 | hours, and such depository shall furnish certified copies of any |
626 | such records to the Division of Elections or the Florida |
627 | Elections Commission upon request. |
628 | (6) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, |
629 | in any reporting period during which an electioneering |
630 | communications organization has not received funds, made any |
631 | contributions, or expended any reportable funds, the treasurer |
632 | shall file a written report with the filing officer by the |
633 | prescribed reporting date that no reportable contributions or |
634 | expenditures were made during the reporting period. |
635 | (7)(a) Any electioneering communications organization |
636 | failing to file a report on the designated due date shall be |
637 | subject to a fine as provided in paragraph (b) for each late |
638 | day. The fine shall be assessed by the filing officer and the |
639 | moneys collected shall be deposited: |
640 | 1. In the General Revenue Fund, in the case of an |
641 | electioneering communications organization that registers with |
642 | the Division of Elections; or |
643 | 2. In the general revenue fund of the political |
644 | subdivision, in the case of an electioneering communications |
645 | organization that registers with an officer of a political |
646 | subdivision. |
647 |
|
648 | No separate fine shall be assessed for failure to file a copy of |
649 | any report required by this section. |
650 | (b) Upon determining that a report is late, the filing |
651 | officer shall immediately notify the electioneering |
652 | communications organization as to the failure to file a report |
653 | by the designated due date and that a fine is being assessed for |
654 | each late day. The fine shall be $50 per day for the first 3 |
655 | days late and, thereafter, $500 per day for each late day, not |
656 | to exceed 25 percent of the total receipts or expenditures, |
657 | whichever is greater, for the period covered by the late report. |
658 | However, for the reports immediately preceding each primary and |
659 | general election, the fine shall be $500 per day for each late |
660 | day, not to exceed 25 percent of the total receipts or |
661 | expenditures, whichever is greater, for the period covered by |
662 | the late report. Upon receipt of the report, the filing officer |
663 | shall determine the amount of the fine which is due and shall |
664 | notify the electioneering communications organization. The |
665 | filing officer shall determine the amount of the fine due based |
666 | upon the earliest of the following: |
667 | 1. When the report is actually received by such officer. |
668 | 2. When the report is postmarked. |
669 | 3. When the certificate of mailing is dated. |
670 | 4. When the receipt from an established courier company is |
671 | dated. |
672 | 5. When the electronic receipt issued pursuant to s. |
673 | 106.0705 or other electronic filing system authorized in this |
674 | section is dated. |
675 |
|
676 | Such fine shall be paid to the filing officer within 20 days |
677 | after receipt of the notice of payment due, unless appeal is |
678 | made to the Florida Elections Commission pursuant to paragraph |
679 | (c). Notice is deemed sufficient upon proof of delivery of |
680 | written notice to the mailing or street address on record with |
681 | the filing officer. An officer or member of an electioneering |
682 | communications organization shall not be personally liable for |
683 | such fine. |
684 | (c) The treasurer of an electioneering communications |
685 | organization may appeal or dispute the fine, based upon, but not |
686 | limited to, unusual circumstances surrounding the failure to |
687 | file on the designated due date, and may request and shall be |
688 | entitled to a hearing before the Florida Elections Commission, |
689 | which shall have the authority to waive the fine in whole or in |
690 | part. The Florida Elections Commission must consider the |
691 | mitigating and aggravating circumstances contained in s. |
692 | 106.265(1) when determining the amount of a fine, if any, to be |
693 | waived. Any such request shall be made within 20 days after |
694 | receipt of the notice of payment due. In such case, the |
695 | treasurer of the electioneering communications organization |
696 | shall, within the 20-day period, notify the filing officer in |
697 | writing of his or her intention to bring the matter before the |
698 | commission. |
699 | (d) The appropriate filing officer shall notify the |
700 | Florida Elections Commission of the repeated late filing by an |
701 | electioneering communications organization, the failure of an |
702 | electioneering communications organization to file a report |
703 | after notice, or the failure to pay the fine imposed. The |
704 | commission shall investigate only those alleged late filing |
705 | violations specifically identified by the filing officer and as |
706 | set forth in the notification. Any other alleged violations must |
707 | be stated separately and reported by the division to the |
708 | commission under s. 106.25(2). |
709 | (8) In addition to the reporting requirements in s. |
710 | 106.07, An electioneering communications organization shall, |
711 | within 2 days after receiving its initial password or secure |
712 | sign-on from the Department of State allowing confidential |
713 | access to the department's electronic campaign finance filing |
714 | system, electronically file the periodic campaign finance |
715 | reports that would have been required pursuant to this section |
716 | s. 106.07 for reportable activities that occurred since the date |
717 | of the last general election. |
718 | (9) Electioneering communications organizations shall not |
719 | use credit cards. |
720 | Section 8. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section |
721 | 106.0705, Florida Statutes, is reenacted, and subsections (3) |
722 | and (4) of that section are amended, to read: |
723 | 106.0705 Electronic filing of campaign treasurer's |
724 | reports.- |
725 | (2) |
726 | (b) Each political committee, committee of continuous |
727 | existence, electioneering communications organization, or state |
728 | executive committee that is required to file reports with the |
729 | division under s. 106.04, s. 106.07, s. 106.0703, or s. 106.29, |
730 | as applicable, must file such reports with the division by means |
731 | of the division's electronic filing system. |
732 | (3) Reports filed pursuant to this section shall be |
733 | completed and filed through the electronic filing system not |
734 | later than midnight of the day designated. Reports not filed by |
735 | midnight of the day designated are late filed and are subject to |
736 | the penalties under s. 106.04(8), s. 106.07(8), s. 106.0703(7), |
737 | or s. 106.29(3), as applicable. |
738 | (4) Each report filed pursuant to this section is |
739 | considered to be under oath by the candidate and treasurer, or |
740 | the chair and treasurer, or the treasurer under s. 106.0703, |
741 | whichever is applicable, and such persons are subject to the |
742 | provisions of s. 106.04(4)(d), s. 106.07(5), s. 106.0703(4), or |
743 | s. 106.29(2), as applicable. Persons given a secure sign-on to |
744 | the electronic filing system are responsible for protecting such |
745 | from disclosure and are responsible for all filings using such |
746 | credentials, unless they have notified the division that their |
747 | credentials have been compromised. |
748 | Section 9. Subsection (1) of section 106.071, Florida |
749 | Statutes, is reenacted and amended to read: |
750 | 106.071 Independent expenditures; electioneering |
751 | communications; reports; disclaimers.- |
752 | (1) Each person who makes an independent expenditure with |
753 | respect to any candidate or issue, and each individual who makes |
754 | an expenditure for an electioneering communication which is not |
755 | otherwise reported pursuant to this chapter, which expenditure, |
756 | in the aggregate, is in the amount of $5,000 $100 or more, shall |
757 | file periodic reports of such expenditures in the same manner, |
758 | at the same time, subject to the same penalties, and with the |
759 | same officer as a political committee supporting or opposing |
760 | such candidate or issue. The report shall contain the full name |
761 | and address of the person making the expenditure; the full name |
762 | and address of each person to whom and for whom each such |
763 | expenditure has been made; the amount, date, and purpose of each |
764 | such expenditure; a description of the services or goods |
765 | obtained by each such expenditure; the issue to which the |
766 | expenditure relates; and the name and address of, and office |
767 | sought by, each candidate on whose behalf such expenditure was |
768 | made. |
769 | Section 10. Subsections (4) and (5) of section 106.08, |
770 | Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (7) of that |
771 | section is reenacted, to read: |
772 | 106.08 Contributions; limitations on.- |
773 | (4)(a) Any contribution received by the chair, campaign |
774 | treasurer, or deputy campaign treasurer of a political committee |
775 | supporting or opposing a candidate with opposition in an |
776 | election or supporting or opposing an issue on the ballot in an |
777 | election on the day of that election or less than 5 days prior |
778 | to the day of that election may not be obligated or expended by |
779 | the committee until after the date of the election. |
780 | (b) Any contribution received by an electioneering |
781 | communications organization on the day of an election or less |
782 | than 5 days prior to the day of that election may not be |
783 | obligated or expended by the organization until after the date |
784 | of the election and may not be expended to pay for any |
785 | obligation arising prior to the election. |
786 | (5)(a) A person may not make any contribution through or |
787 | in the name of another, directly or indirectly, in any election. |
788 | (b) Candidates, political committees, and political |
789 | parties may not solicit contributions from any religious, |
790 | charitable, civic, or other causes or organizations established |
791 | primarily for the public good. |
792 | (c) Candidates, political committees, and political |
793 | parties may not make contributions, in exchange for political |
794 | support, to any religious, charitable, civic, or other cause or |
795 | organization established primarily for the public good. It is |
796 | not a violation of this paragraph for: |
797 | 1. A candidate, political committee, or political party |
798 | executive committee to make gifts of money in lieu of flowers in |
799 | memory of a deceased person; |
800 | 2. A candidate to continue membership in, or make regular |
801 | donations from personal or business funds to, religious, |
802 | political party, civic, or charitable groups of which the |
803 | candidate is a member or to which the candidate has been a |
804 | regular donor for more than 6 months; or |
805 | 3. A candidate to purchase, with campaign funds, tickets, |
806 | admission to events, or advertisements from religious, civic, |
807 | political party, or charitable groups. |
808 | (d) An electioneering communications organization may not |
809 | accept a contribution from an organization exempt from taxation |
810 | under s. 527 or s. 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, other |
811 | than a political committee, committee of continuous existence, |
812 | or political party, unless the contributing organization has |
813 | registered as if the organization were an electioneering |
814 | communications organization pursuant to s. 106.03 and has filed |
815 | all campaign finance reports required of electioneering |
816 | communications organizations pursuant to ss. 106.07 and |
817 | 106.0703. |
818 | (7)(a) Any person who knowingly and willfully makes or |
819 | accepts no more than one contribution in violation of subsection |
820 | (1) or subsection (5), or any person who knowingly and willfully |
821 | fails or refuses to return any contribution as required in |
822 | subsection (3), commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, |
823 | punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. If any |
824 | corporation, partnership, or other business entity or any |
825 | political party, political committee, committee of continuous |
826 | existence, or electioneering communications organization is |
827 | convicted of knowingly and willfully violating any provision |
828 | punishable under this paragraph, it shall be fined not less than |
829 | $1,000 and not more than $10,000. If it is a domestic entity, it |
830 | may be ordered dissolved by a court of competent jurisdiction; |
831 | if it is a foreign or nonresident business entity, its right to |
832 | do business in this state may be forfeited. Any officer, |
833 | partner, agent, attorney, or other representative of a |
834 | corporation, partnership, or other business entity, or of a |
835 | political party, political committee, committee of continuous |
836 | existence, electioneering communications organization, or |
837 | organization exempt from taxation under s. 527 or s. 501(c)(4) |
838 | of the Internal Revenue Code, who aids, abets, advises, or |
839 | participates in a violation of any provision punishable under |
840 | this paragraph commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, |
841 | punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. |
842 | (b) Any person who knowingly and willfully makes or |
843 | accepts two or more contributions in violation of subsection (1) |
844 | or subsection (5) commits a felony of the third degree, |
845 | punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. |
846 | If any corporation, partnership, or other business entity or any |
847 | political party, political committee, committee of continuous |
848 | existence, or electioneering communications organization is |
849 | convicted of knowingly and willfully violating any provision |
850 | punishable under this paragraph, it shall be fined not less than |
851 | $10,000 and not more than $50,000. If it is a domestic entity, |
852 | it may be ordered dissolved by a court of competent |
853 | jurisdiction; if it is a foreign or nonresident business entity, |
854 | its right to do business in this state may be forfeited. Any |
855 | officer, partner, agent, attorney, or other representative of a |
856 | corporation, partnership, or other business entity, or of a |
857 | political committee, committee of continuous existence, |
858 | political party, or electioneering communications organization, |
859 | or organization exempt from taxation under s. 527 or s. |
860 | 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, who aids, abets, |
861 | advises, or participates in a violation of any provision |
862 | punishable under this paragraph commits a felony of the third |
863 | degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. |
864 | 775.084. |
865 | Section 11. Section 106.1437, Florida Statutes, is |
866 | reenacted to read: |
867 | 106.1437 Miscellaneous advertisements.-Any advertisement, |
868 | other than a political advertisement, independent expenditure, |
869 | or electioneering communication, on billboards, bumper stickers, |
870 | radio, or television, or in a newspaper, a magazine, or a |
871 | periodical, intended to influence public policy or the vote of a |
872 | public official, shall clearly designate the sponsor of such |
873 | advertisement by including a clearly readable statement of |
874 | sponsorship. If the advertisement is broadcast on television, |
875 | the advertisement shall also contain a verbal statement of |
876 | sponsorship. This section shall not apply to an editorial |
877 | endorsement. |
878 | Section 12. Section 106.1439, Florida Statutes, is |
879 | reenacted and amended to read: |
880 | 106.1439 Electioneering communications; disclaimers.- |
881 | (1) Any electioneering communication, other than a |
882 | telephone call, shall prominently state: "Paid electioneering |
883 | communication paid for by ...(Name and address of person paying |
884 | for the communication)...." |
885 | (2) Any electioneering communication telephone call shall |
886 | identify the persons or organizations sponsoring the call by |
887 | stating either: "Paid for by ...(insert name of persons or |
888 | organizations sponsoring the call)...." or "Paid for on behalf |
889 | of ...(insert name of persons or organizations authorizing |
890 | call)...." This subsection does not apply to any telephone call |
891 | in which the individual making the call is not being paid and |
892 | the individuals participating in the call know each other prior |
893 | to the call. |
894 | (3)(2) Any person who fails to include the disclaimer |
895 | prescribed in this section in any electioneering communication |
896 | that is required to contain such disclaimer commits a |
897 | misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. |
898 | 775.082 or s. 775.083. |
899 | Section 13. Paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (1) of |
900 | section 106.147, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
901 | 106.147 Telephone solicitation; disclosure requirements; |
902 | prohibitions; exemptions; penalties.- |
903 | (1)(a) Any electioneering communication telephone call or |
904 | any telephone call supporting or opposing a candidate, elected |
905 | public official, or ballot proposal must identify the persons or |
906 | organizations sponsoring the call by stating either: "paid for |
907 | by _____" (insert name of persons or organizations sponsoring |
908 | the call) or "paid for on behalf of _____" (insert name of |
909 | persons or organizations authorizing call). This paragraph does |
910 | not apply to any telephone call in which both the individual |
911 | making the call is not being paid and the individuals |
912 | participating in the call know each other prior to the call. |
913 | (e) Any electioneering communication paid for with public |
914 | funds must include a disclaimer containing the words "paid for |
915 | by ...(Name of the government entity paying for the |
916 | communication)...." |
917 | Section 14. Section 106.17, Florida Statutes, is reenacted |
918 | to read: |
919 | 106.17 Polls and surveys relating to candidacies.-Any |
920 | candidate, political committee, committee of continuous |
921 | existence, electioneering communication organization, or state |
922 | or county executive committee of a political party may authorize |
923 | or conduct a political poll, survey, index, or measurement of |
924 | any kind relating to candidacy for public office so long as the |
925 | candidate, political committee, committee of continuous |
926 | existence, electioneering communication organization, or |
927 | political party maintains complete jurisdiction over the poll in |
928 | all its aspects. |
929 | Section 15. This act shall take effect upon becoming a |
930 | law. |