Bill > HB07221

This bill centralizes municipal campaign finance filing procedures by requiring all municipal campaign registration and financial disclosure statements to be filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) instead of with town clerks, starting January 1, 2029. The bill makes comprehensive changes to existing campaign finance laws, mandating that all candidates, political committees, and party committees file their registration statements, certification of exemptions, and financial disclosure statements electronically through the SEEC's web-based program. Key provisions include requiring electronic filing for committees that raise or spend over $1,000, establishing uniform filing deadlines and procedures, and removing town clerks from the filing process. The bill also standardizes late filing penalties, with a $100 late filing fee and potential additional fines up to $2,000, and provides the SEEC with the authority to waive late fees in certain circumstances, such as during municipal elections in 2029. These changes aim to streamline campaign finance reporting, increase transparency, and centralize oversight of municipal campaign finances under the State Elections Enforcement Commission.