Bill > SB289

This bill, titled the "Voter Action Act," proposes significant changes to the public financing of legislative races in New Mexico, aiming to expand its reach and clarify its provisions. Key amendments include broadening the definition of "covered office" to explicitly include state legislators, introducing new definitions for "contribution" and "coordinated expenditure" to better regulate campaign finance, and modifying the process for candidates to declare their intent to participate and become "certified candidates." The bill also refines the rules for how public funds from the "public election fund" can be used by certified candidates, prohibiting their use for personal expenses, contributions to other campaigns, or political party activities, and requiring any unspent funds to be returned. Furthermore, it adjusts the timelines for reporting and the amounts of public funding distributed, particularly for legislative races, and introduces stricter penalties for violations, including the potential return of all public funds and criminal prosecution for willful violations. The bill also repeals a section related to "seed money" and clarifies reporting requirements for both certified and non-certified candidates.