OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 6661

AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN DONATIONS UNDER THE CITIZENS' ELECTION PROGRAM.

SUMMARY:

This bill gives candidates who participate in the Citizens' Election Program (participating candidates) and raise the required amount of qualifying contributions the option of (1) returning additional contributions they receive to the contributor or (2) transmitting them to the state treasurer for deposit in the Citizens' Election Fund (CEF).

Under current law, participating candidates must remit additional contributions they receive to the CEF. They may use these contributions as a “buffer” in the event that the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) determines any reported qualifying contributions are not valid. Under the bill, contributions candidates return to contributors do not count toward the buffer.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2009

BACKGROUND

In August 2007, the SEEC issued Declaratory Ruling 2007-03, authorizing participating candidates who raise the qualifying threshold to raise, but not spend, additional contributions to use as a buffer. These additional contributions may replace reported qualifying contributions that the SEEC determines do not meet the qualifying criteria. Once the candidate meets the qualifying threshold, the remaining additional contributions stay in the CEF.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Government Administration and Elections Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute