summary
Introduced
01/21/2025
01/21/2025
In Committee
03/17/2025
03/17/2025
Crossed Over
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
Passed
Dead
04/24/2025
04/24/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Campaign finance. Modifies the definition of "auxiliary party organization". Specifies that the definition of "contribution" includes certain donations of property through a payment platform that acts as a conduit. Repeals a provision that allows the Indiana election commission (commission) to issue advisory opinions. Provides that an advisory opinion issued by the commission before July 1, 2025, is void. Provides that certain paid political advertising or campaign material does not falsely represent that the candidate is or has been an officeholder. Provides that, after December 31, 2026, the computer system developed and used by the election division to store campaign finance reports must enable the election division to provide for electronic submission, retrieval, storage, and disclosure of campaign finance reports of candidates for local office and school board office. Requires, after December 31, 2026, that a: (1) committee for a candidate seeking election to a local office or school board office; and (2) political action committee; must file specified reports and statements electronically using a standardized software program or another approved format. Requires, after December 31, 2026, that each county election board and board of elections and registration have access to a particular computer system and software program for the purpose of managing filings by candidates seeking election to a local office or school board office. Specifies requirements that apply to the purchase of a software program by the election division after June 30, 2025. Allows the election division to send certain notices by electronic mail, if a workable electronic mail address is provided by the committee. Requires, after December 31, 2026, each county election board to mail: (1) to each candidate or political action committee required to file a campaign finance report with the county election board; and (2) 21 days before the campaign finance reports are due; a notice that states the date the campaign finance reports are due. Allows a county election board to adopt a resolution allowing certain reports to be submitted to the county election board by hand, mail, or electronic mail. Provides that a county election board that adopts a resolution is responsible for entering the submitted reports into the computer system and software program. Requires the reporting of certain information if a contribution is made through a payment platform that acts as a conduit.
AI Summary
This bill introduces several changes to Indiana's campaign finance regulations, focusing on modernizing reporting processes and clarifying various definitions. The bill increases the annual expenditure threshold for auxiliary party organizations from $5,000 to $10,000 and expands the definition of "contribution" to include donations made through payment platforms that act as conduits. It eliminates the Indiana election commission's ability to issue advisory opinions, effectively voiding all previously issued advisory opinions as of July 1, 2025. The legislation mandates that after December 31, 2026, local and school board candidates and political action committees must file campaign finance reports electronically using a standardized software program. The bill also specifies new requirements for reporting contributions made through payment platforms, requiring disclosure of the total contribution amount before platform fees and reporting any associated platform charges as expenditures. Additionally, the bill clarifies rules about political advertising, specifically stating that campaign materials containing only a candidate's name and office without explicit election language do not falsely represent the candidate as an officeholder. The election division will be required to follow a public proposal process when purchasing new campaign finance reporting software, enhancing transparency in the system's development.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Government Affairs
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Committee report: do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations (on 03/17/2025)
Official Document
bill text
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