Bill > S2916

This bill aims to improve transparency in campaign finance reporting for statewide ballot questions by requiring that blank forms for collecting signatures for initiative or referendum petitions, when circulated by paid signature gatherers, clearly disclose this fact to potential signatories. It also prohibits paying individuals based on the number of signatures collected, including fee-per-signature arrangements and incentive bonuses, with violations punishable by fines and each signature collected in violation counting as a separate offense. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that actions taken to place or oppose a question on a statewide ballot are considered supporting or opposing a ballot question for campaign finance reporting purposes, though legislative lobbying is excluded, and the director will define what constitutes such actions, with disclosure requirements for related contributions and expenditures only beginning when petitions are made available. The bill also modifies reporting requirements for political committees and independent expenditure PACs, specifically by removing references to committees favoring or opposing ballot questions from certain disclosure exemptions and clarifying that these rules apply to "statewide ballot questions." Finally, it mandates that treasurers of statewide ballot question committees must provide more detailed information in their reports, including lists of in-kind contributions and new liabilities, and requires timely reporting of significant contributions received close to an election, with specific reporting schedules and deadlines established for these committees.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2916