Substitute House Bill No. 5471
AN ACT CONCERNING INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 9-601 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
As used in this chapter and [sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive] chapter 157:
(1) "Committee" means a party committee, political committee or a candidate committee organized, as the case may be, for a single primary, election or referendum, or for ongoing political activities, to aid or promote the success or defeat of any political party, any one or more candidates for public office or the position of town committee member or any referendum question.
(2) "Party committee" means a state central committee or a town committee. "Party committee" does not mean a party-affiliated or district, ward or borough committee which receives all of its funds from the state central committee of its party or from a single town committee with the same party affiliation. Any such committee so funded shall be construed to be a part of its state central or town committee for purposes of this chapter and [sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive] chapter 157.
(3) "Political committee" means (A) a committee organized by a business entity or organization, (B) persons other than individuals, or two or more individuals organized or acting jointly conducting their activities in or outside the state, (C) an exploratory committee, (D) a committee established by or on behalf of a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace, but does not mean a candidate committee or a party committee, (E) a legislative caucus committee, or (F) a legislative leadership committee.
(4) "Candidate committee" means any committee designated by a single candidate, or established with the consent, authorization or cooperation of a candidate, for the purpose of a single primary or election and to aid or promote such candidate's candidacy alone for a particular public office or the position of town committee member, but does not mean a political committee or a party committee.
(5) "Exploratory committee" means a committee established by a candidate for a single primary or election (A) to determine whether to seek nomination or election to (i) the General Assembly, (ii) a state office, as defined in subsection (e) of section 9-610, or (iii) any other public office, and (B) if applicable, to aid or promote [said] such candidate's candidacy for nomination to the General Assembly or any such state office.
(6) "National committee" means the organization which according to the bylaws of a political party is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the party at the national level.
(7) "Organization" means all labor organizations, (A) as defined in the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as from time to time amended, or (B) as defined in subdivision (9) of section 31-101, employee organizations as defined in subsection (d) of section 5-270 and subdivision (6) of section 7-467, bargaining representative organizations for teachers, any local, state or national organization, to which a labor organization pays membership or per capita fees, based upon its affiliation or membership, and trade or professional associations which receive their funds exclusively from membership dues, whether organized in or outside of this state, but does not mean a candidate committee, party committee or a political committee.
(8) "Business entity" means the following, whether organized in or outside of this state: Stock corporations, banks, insurance companies, business associations, bankers associations, insurance associations, trade or professional associations which receive funds from membership dues and other sources, partnerships, joint ventures, private foundations, as defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended; trusts or estates; corporations organized under sections 38a-175 to 38a-192, inclusive, 38a-199 to 38a-209, inclusive, and 38a-214 to 38a-225, inclusive, and chapters 594 to 597, inclusive; cooperatives, and any other association, organization or entity which is engaged in the operation of a business or profit-making activity; but does not include professional service corporations organized under chapter 594a and owned by a single individual, nonstock corporations which are not engaged in business or profit-making activity, organizations, as defined in subdivision [(6)] (7) of this section, candidate committees, party committees and political committees as defined in this section. For purposes of this chapter, corporations which are component members of a controlled group of corporations, as those terms are defined in Section 1563 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, shall be deemed to be one corporation.
(9) "Individual" means a human being, a sole proprietorship, or a professional service corporation organized under chapter 594a and owned by a single human being.
(10) "Person" means an individual, committee, firm, partnership, organization, association, syndicate, company trust, corporation, limited liability company or any other legal entity of any kind but does not mean the state or any political or administrative subdivision of the state.
(11) "Candidate" means an individual who seeks nomination for election or election to public office whether or not such individual is elected, and for the purposes of this chapter and [sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive] chapter 157, an individual shall be deemed to seek nomination for election or election if such individual has (A) been endorsed by a party or become eligible for a position on the ballot at an election or primary, or (B) solicited or received contributions, made expenditures or given such individual's consent to any other person to solicit or receive contributions or make expenditures with the intent to bring about such individual's nomination for election or election to any such office. "Candidate" also means a slate of candidates which is to appear on the ballot in a primary for the office of justice of the peace. For the purposes of sections 9-600 to 9-610, inclusive, as amended by this act, and section 9-621, as amended by this act, "candidate" also means an individual who is a candidate in a primary for town committee members.
(12) "Campaign treasurer" means the individual appointed by a candidate or by the chairperson of a party committee or a political committee to receive and disburse funds on behalf of the candidate or committee.
(13) "Deputy campaign treasurer" means the individual appointed by the candidate or by the chairperson of a committee to serve in the capacity of the campaign treasurer if the campaign treasurer is unable to perform the campaign treasurer's duties.
(14) "Solicitor" means an individual appointed by a campaign treasurer of a committee to receive, but not to disburse, funds on behalf of the committee.
(15) "Referendum question" means a question to be voted upon at any election or referendum, including a proposed constitutional amendment.
(16) "Lobbyist" means a lobbyist, as defined in section 1-91 and "communicator lobbyist" means a communicator lobbyist, as defined in section 1-91.
(17) "Business with which he is associated" means any business in which the contributor is a director, officer, owner, limited or general partner or holder of stock constituting five per cent or more of the total outstanding stock of any class. Officer refers only to the president, executive or senior vice-president or treasurer of such business.
[(18) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure that is made without the consent, knowing participation, or consultation of, a candidate or agent of the candidate committee and is not a coordinated expenditure.
(19) "Coordinated expenditure" means an expenditure made by a person:
(A) In cooperation, consultation, in concert with, at the request, suggestion or direction of, or pursuant to a general or particular understanding with (i) a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (ii) a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;
(B) For the production, dissemination, distribution or publication, in whole or in substantial part, of any broadcast or any written, graphic or other form of political advertising or campaign communication prepared by (i) a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (ii) a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;
(C) Based on information about a candidate's plans, projects or needs, provided by (i) a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (ii) a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, with the intent that such expenditure be made;
(D) Who, in the same election cycle, is serving or has served as the campaign chairperson, campaign treasurer or deputy treasurer of a candidate committee, political committee or party committee benefiting from such expenditure, or in any other executive or policymaking position as a member, employee, fundraiser, consultant or other agent of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;
(E) For fundraising activities (i) with or for a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (ii) for the solicitation or receipt of contributions on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;
(F) Based on information about a candidate's campaign plans, projects or needs, that is directly or indirectly provided by said candidate, the candidate's candidate committee, a political committee or a party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of said candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, to the person making the expenditure or said person's agent, with an express or tacit understanding that said person is considering making the expenditure; or
(G) For a communication that clearly identifies a candidate during an election campaign, if the person making the expenditure, or said person's agent, has informed said candidate, the candidate's candidate committee, a political committee or a party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of said candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, concerning the communication's contents, intended audience, timing, location or mode or frequency of dissemination. ]
(18) "Agent" means a person authorized to act for or in place of another.
(19) "Entity" means the following, whether organized in this or any other state: An organization, corporation, cooperative association, limited partnership, professional association, limited liability company, and limited liability partnership.
(20) "Federal account" means a depository account that is subject to the disclosure and contribution limits provided under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended from time to time.
(21) "Public funds" means funds belonging to, or under the control of, the state or a political subdivision of the state.
(22) "Legislative caucus committee" means a committee established under subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 9-605 by the majority of the members of a political party who are also state representatives or state senators.
(23) "Legislative leadership committee" means a committee established under subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of section 9-605 by a leader of the General Assembly.
(24) "Immediate family" means the spouse or a dependent child of an individual.
(25) "Organization expenditure" means an expenditure by a party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee for the benefit of a candidate or candidate committee for:
(A) The preparation, display or mailing or other distribution of a party candidate listing. As used in this subparagraph, "party candidate listing" means any communication that meets the following criteria: (i) The communication lists the name or names of candidates for election to public office, (ii) the communication is distributed through public advertising such as broadcast stations, cable television, newspapers or similar media, or through direct mail, telephone, electronic mail, publicly accessible sites on the Internet or personal delivery, (iii) the treatment of all candidates in the communication is substantially similar, and (iv) the content of the communication is limited to (I) for each such candidate, identifying information, including photographs, the office sought, the office currently held by the candidate, if any, the party enrollment of the candidate, a brief statement concerning the candidate's positions, philosophy, goals, accomplishments or biography and the positions, philosophy, goals or accomplishments of the candidate's party, (II) encouragement to vote for each such candidate, and (III) information concerning voting, including voting hours and locations;
(B) A document in printed or electronic form, including a party platform, a copy of an issue paper, information pertaining to the requirements of this title, a list of registered voters and voter identification information, which document is created or maintained by a party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee for the general purposes of party or caucus building and is provided (i) to a candidate who is a member of the party that has established such party committee, or (ii) to a candidate who is a member of the party of the caucus or leader who has established such legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, whichever is applicable;
(C) A campaign event at which a candidate or candidates are present;
(D) The retention of the services of an advisor to provide assistance relating to campaign organization, financing, accounting, strategy, law or media; or
(E) The use of offices, telephones, computers and similar equipment which does not result in additional cost to the party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee.
(26) "Solicit" means (A) requesting that a contribution be made, (B) participating in any fund-raising activities for a candidate committee, exploratory committee, political committee or party committee, including, but not limited to, forwarding tickets to potential contributors, receiving contributions for transmission to any such committee or bundling contributions, (C) serving as chairperson, treasurer or deputy treasurer of any such committee, or (D) establishing a political committee for the sole purpose of soliciting or receiving contributions for any committee. "Solicit" does not include (i) making a contribution that is otherwise permitted under this chapter, (ii) informing any person of a position taken by a candidate for public office or a public official, (iii) notifying the person of any activities of, or contact information for, any candidate for public office, or (iv) serving as a member in any party committee or as an officer of such committee that is not otherwise prohibited in this subdivision.
[(27) "Agent" means any person acting at the direction of an individual. ]
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) As used in chapters 155 and 157 of the general statutes, the term "independent expenditure" means an expenditure, as defined in section 9-601b of the general statutes, as amended by this act, that is made without the consent, coordination, or consultation of, a candidate or agent of the candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee.
(b) When the State Elections Enforcement Commission evaluates an expenditure to determine whether such expenditure is an independent expenditure, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the following expenditures are not independent expenditures:
(1) An expenditure made by a person in cooperation, consultation or in concert with, at the request, suggestion or direction of, or pursuant to a general or particular understanding with (A) a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (B) a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;
(2) An expenditure made by a person for the production, dissemination, distribution or publication, in whole or in substantial part, of any broadcast or any written, graphic or other form of political advertising or campaign communication prepared by (A) a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (B) a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;
(3) An expenditure made by a person based on information about a candidate's, political committee's, or party committee's plans, projects or needs, provided by (A) a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (B) a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, with the intent that such expenditure be made;
(4) An expenditure made by an individual who, in the same election cycle, is serving or has served as the campaign chairperson, campaign treasurer or deputy treasurer of a candidate committee, political committee or party committee benefiting from such expenditure, or in any other executive or policymaking position, including as a member, employee, fundraiser, consultant or other agent, of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;
(5) An expenditure made by a person whose officer, director, member, employee, fundraiser, consultant or other agent who serves the person in an executive or policymaking position also serves as or has served in the same election cycle as the candidate or the campaign chairperson, campaign treasurer or deputy treasurer of a candidate committee, political committee or party committee benefiting from such expenditure, or in any other executive or policymaking position of the candidate committee, political committee or party committee;
(6) An expenditure made by a person for fundraising activities (A) with or for a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (B) for the solicitation or receipt of contributions on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;
(7) An expenditure made by a person based on information about a candidate's campaign plans, projects or needs, that is directly or indirectly provided by a candidate, the candidate's candidate committee, a political committee or a party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of such candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, to the person making the expenditure or such person's agent, with an express or tacit understanding that such person is considering making the expenditure;
(8) An expenditure made by a person for a communication that clearly identifies a candidate during an election campaign, if the person making the expenditure, or such person's agent, has informed the candidate who benefits from the expenditure, that candidate's candidate committee, a political committee or a party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of the benefiting candidate or candidate committee, political committee, or party committee, concerning the communication's contents, or of the intended audience, timing, location or mode or frequency of dissemination. As used in this subdivision, a communication "clearly identifies a candidate'" when that communication contains the name, nickname, initials, photograph or drawing of the candidate or an unambiguous reference to that candidate, which includes, but is not limited to, a reference that can only mean that candidate; and
(9) An expenditure made by a person or an entity for consultant or creative services, including, but not limited to, services related to communications strategy or design or campaign strategy, to be used to promote or oppose a candidate's election to office if the provider of such services is also providing consultant or creative services to such candidate, such candidate's candidate committee, or to any opposing candidate in the same primary or election, or to such opposing candidate's candidate committee. For purposes of this subdivision, communications strategy or design does not include the costs of printing or costs for the use of a medium for the purpose of communications.
Sec. 3. Subsection (a) of section 9-601a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) As used in this chapter and [sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive] chapter 157, "contribution" means:
(1) Any gift, subscription, loan, advance, payment or deposit of money or anything of value, made for the purpose of influencing the nomination for election, or election, of any person or for the purpose of aiding or promoting the success or defeat of any referendum question or on behalf of any political party;
(2) A written contract, promise or agreement to make a contribution for any such purpose;
(3) The payment by any person, other than a candidate or campaign treasurer, of compensation for the personal services of any other person which are rendered without charge to a committee or candidate for any such purpose;
(4) An expenditure [when made by a person with the cooperation of, or in consultation with, any candidate, candidate committee or candidate's agent or which is made in concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate, candidate committee or candidate's agent, including a coordinated expenditure] that is not an independent expenditure; or
(5) Funds received by a committee which are transferred from another committee or other source for any such purpose.
Sec. 4. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 9-602 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Except with respect to an individual acting [on his own] alone, or with respect to a group of two or more individuals acting together that receives funds or makes or incurs expenditures not exceeding one thousand dollars in the aggregate, no contributions may be made, solicited or received and no expenditures may be made, directly or indirectly, in aid of or in opposition to the candidacy for nomination or election of any individual or any party or referendum question, unless (1) the candidate or chairman of the committee has filed a designation of a campaign treasurer and a depository institution situated in this state as the depository for the committee's funds, or (2) the candidate [or, in the event of a referendum question, a group of individuals] has filed a certification in accordance with the provisions of section 9-604. [or 9-605, as the case may be. ] In the case of a political committee, the filing of the statement of organization by the chairman of such committee, in accordance with the provisions of section 9-605, as amended by this act, shall constitute compliance with the provisions of this subsection.
(b) No contribution in aid of or in opposition to the candidacy of any person or to any party or referendum question shall be made at any time, except to the committee's campaign treasurer whose designation is on file with the proper authority, a solicitor [,] or a candidate who is exempt from the requirement to form a candidate committee and has filed a certification. [, or a group of individuals which have joined solely to support or oppose a referendum question and have filed a certification. ]
Sec. 5. Subsection (d) of section 9-605 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(d) A group of two or more individuals who have joined solely to promote the success or defeat of a referendum question shall not be required to file as a political committee, make such designations in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) of this section or file statements pursuant to section 9-608, if the group does not receive or expend in excess of one thousand dollars for the entire campaign. [and the agent of such individuals files a certification with the proper authority or authorities as required under section 9-603 before an expenditure is made. The certification shall include the name of the group, or the names of the persons who comprise the group, and the name and address of the agent which shall appear on any communication paid for or sponsored by the group as required by section 9-621. If the group receives or expends in excess of one thousand dollars, the agent] If the group receives funds or makes or incurs expenditures exceeding one thousand dollars in the aggregate, the group shall complete the statement of organization and file as a political committee not later than three business days thereafter. The [agent] group shall provide the designated campaign treasurer with all information required for completion of the statements for filing as required by section 9-608. [The filing of a certification under this subsection shall not relieve the group from compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and the group shall be considered a political committee established solely for a referendum question for purposes of the limitations on contributions and expenditures. ]
Sec. 6. Subsection (e) of section 9-612 of the 2010 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(e) (1) Any individual, entity or committee acting alone may [, independent of any candidate, agent of the candidate, or committee,] make unlimited independent expenditures. [to promote the success or defeat of any candidate's campaign for election, or nomination at a primary, to any office or position. ] Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, any such individual, [who makes] entity or committee that makes or obligates to make an independent expenditure or expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars, [to promote the success or defeat of any candidate's campaign for election, or nomination at a primary, to any such office or position] in the aggregate, shall file statements according to the same schedule and in the same manner as is required of a campaign treasurer of a candidate committee under section 9-608.
(2) Any [person who] individual, entity or committee that makes or obligates to make an independent expenditure or expenditures [, as defined in section 9-601, intended] to promote the success or defeat of a candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Attorney General, state senator or state representative, which exceeds one thousand dollars, in the aggregate, during a primary campaign or a general election campaign, as defined in section 9-700, on or after January 1, 2008, shall file a report of such independent expenditure to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. The report shall be in the same form as statements filed under section 9-608, except that such report shall be filed electronically. If the [person] individual, entity or committee makes or obligates to make such independent expenditure or expenditures more than [twenty] ninety days before the day of a primary or election, the [person] individual, entity or committee shall file such report not later than forty-eight hours after such payment or obligation. If the [person] individual, entity or committee makes or obligates to make such independent expenditure or expenditures [twenty] ninety days or less before the day of a primary or election, the person shall file such report not later than twenty-four hours after such payment or obligation. The report shall be filed under penalty of false statement.
(3) The independent expenditure report [in subdivision (2) of this subsection shall include a statement (A) identifying] shall (A) identify the candidate for whom the independent expenditure or expenditures is intended to promote the success or defeat, [and (B) affirming that the expenditure is not a coordinated expenditure] (B) affirm under penalty of false statement that the expenditure is an independent expenditure, and (C) provide any information that the State Elections Enforcement Commission requires to facilitate compliance with the provisions of this chapter or chapter 157.
(4) Any person may file a complaint with the commission upon the belief that (A) any such independent expenditure report or statement is false, or (B) any [person who] individual, entity or committee that is required to file an independent expenditure report under [subdivision (2) of] this subsection has failed to do so. The commission shall make a prompt determination on such a complaint.
(5) (A) If [a person] an individual, entity or committee fails to file a report required under subdivision (2) of this subsection for an independent expenditure or expenditures made or obligated to be made more than [twenty] ninety days before the day of a primary or election, the person shall be subject to a civil penalty, imposed by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, of not more than five thousand dollars. If [a person] an individual, entity or committee fails to file a report required under subdivision (2) of this subsection for an independent expenditure or expenditures made or obligated to be made [twenty] ninety days or less before the day of a primary or election, [the person] such individual, entity or committee shall be subject to a civil penalty, imposed by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, of not more than ten thousand dollars. (B) If any such failure is knowing and wilful, the person responsible for the failure shall also be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
Sec. 7. Section 9-613 of the general statutes is amended by adding subsection (g) as follows (Effective from passage):
(NEW) (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a corporation, cooperative association, limited partnership, professional association, limited liability company or limited liability partnership, whether formed in this state or any other, acting alone, may make independent expenditures.
Sec. 8. Section 9-614 of the general statutes is amended by adding subsection (d) as follows (Effective from passage):
(NEW) (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, an organization, acting alone, may make independent expenditures.
Sec. 9. Section 9-620 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) A political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question shall not make contributions to, or for the benefit of, a party committee, a political committee, a national committee, a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office or a candidate committee, except in the distribution of a surplus, as provided in subsection (e) of section 9-608.
(b) A political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question shall not receive contributions from a national committee or from a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office.
(c) No person, [as defined in subdivision (9) of section 9-601,] other than an individual or a committee, shall make a contribution to a political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, or to any other person, [as defined in subdivision (9) of section 9-601,] to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, in excess of ten cents for each individual residing in the state or political subdivision thereof in which such referendum question is to be voted upon, in accordance with the last federal decennial census.
[(d) Any such person other than an individual or a committee which makes expenditures or has expenses incurred but not paid in excess of one thousand dollars in the state or political subdivision thereof in which a referendum question is to be voted upon, shall file all designations and sworn financial statements required to be filed by political committees and comply with all provisions of this chapter which apply to political committees. ]
Sec. 10. Section 9-621 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) No individual shall make or incur any expenditure with the [cooperation of, at the request or suggestion of,] consent of, in coordination with or in consultation with any candidate, candidate committee or candidate's agent, no group of two or more individuals acting together that receives funds or makes or incurs expenditures not exceeding one thousand dollars in the aggregate and has not formed a political committee shall make or incur any expenditure, and no candidate or committee shall make or incur any expenditure including an organization expenditure for a party candidate listing, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (25) of section 9-601, as amended by this act, for any written, typed or other printed communication, or any web-based, written communication, which promotes the success or defeat of any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or election or promotes or opposes any political party or solicits funds to benefit any political party or committee unless such communication bears upon its face (1) the words "paid for by" and the following: (A) In the case of such an individual, the name and address of such individual; (B) in the case of a committee other than a party committee, the name of the committee and its campaign treasurer; [or] (C) in the case of a party committee, the name of the committee; or (D) in the case of a group of two or more individuals that receives funds or makes or incurs expenditures not exceeding one thousand dollars in the aggregate and has not formed a political committee, the name of the group and the name and address of its agent, and (2) the words "approved by" and the following: (A) In the case of an individual, group or committee other than a candidate committee making or incurring an expenditure with the [cooperation of, at the request or suggestion of,] consent of, in coordination with or in consultation with any candidate, candidate committee or candidate's agent, the name of [such individual] the candidate; or (B) in the case of a candidate committee, the name of the candidate.
(b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section:
(1) No candidate or candidate committee or exploratory committee established by a candidate shall make or incur any expenditure for television advertising or Internet video advertising, which promotes the success of such candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or election or the defeat of another candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or election, unless (A) at the end of such advertising there appears simultaneously, for a period of not less than four seconds, (i) a clearly identifiable photographic or similar image of the candidate making such expenditure, (ii) a clearly readable printed statement identifying such candidate, and indicating that such candidate has approved the advertising, and (iii) a simultaneous, personal audio message, in the following form: "I am . . . . (candidate's name) and I approved this message", and (B) the candidate's name and image appear in, and the candidate's voice is contained in, the narrative of the advertising, before the end of such advertising;
(2) No candidate or candidate committee or exploratory committee established by a candidate shall make or incur any expenditure for radio advertising or Internet audio advertising, which promotes the success of such candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or election or the defeat of another candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or election, unless (A) the advertising ends with a personal audio statement by the candidate making such expenditure (i) identifying such candidate and the office such candidate is seeking, and (ii) indicating that such candidate has approved the advertising in the following form: "I am . . . . (candidate's name) and I approved this message", and (B) the candidate's name and voice are contained in the narrative of the advertising, before the end of such advertising; and
(3) No candidate or candidate committee or exploratory committee established by a candidate shall make or incur any expenditure for automated telephone calls which promote the success of such candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or election or the defeat of another candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or election, unless the candidate's name and voice are contained in the narrative of the call, before the end of such call.
(c) No business entity, organization, association, committee, or group of two or more individuals who have joined solely to promote the success or defeat of a referendum question [and is required to file a certification in accordance with subsection (d) of section 9-605,] shall make or incur any expenditure for any written, typed or other printed communication which promotes the success or defeat of any referendum question unless such communication bears upon its face the words "paid for by" and the following: (1) In the case of a business entity, organization or association, the name of the business entity, organization or association and the name of its chief executive officer or equivalent; (2) in the case of a political committee, the name of the committee and the name of its campaign treasurer; (3) in the case of a party committee, the name of the committee; or (4) in the case of such a group of two or more individuals, the name of the group [as it appears on the certification filed in accordance with subsection (d) of section 9-605,] and the name and address of its agent.
(d) The provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to (1) any editorial, news story, or commentary published in any newspaper, magazine or journal on its own behalf and upon its own responsibility and for which it does not charge or receive any compensation whatsoever, (2) any banner, (3) political paraphernalia including pins, buttons, badges, emblems, hats, bumper stickers or other similar materials, or (4) signs with a surface area of not more than thirty-two square feet.
(e) The campaign treasurer of a candidate committee which sponsors any written, typed or other printed communication for the purpose of raising funds to eliminate a campaign deficit of that committee shall include in such communication a statement that the funds are sought to eliminate such a deficit.
(f) The campaign treasurer of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Treasurer which committee sponsors any written, typed or other printed communication for the purpose of raising funds shall include in such communication a statement concerning the prohibitions set forth in subsection (n) of section 1-84, subsection (f) of section 9-612 and subsection (f) of section 9-613.
(g) In the event a campaign treasurer of a candidate committee is replaced pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-602, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the candidate committee from distributing any printed communication subject to the provisions of this section that has already been printed or otherwise produced, even though such communication does not accurately designate the successor campaign treasurer of such candidate committee.
(h) (1) No entity shall make or incur an independent expenditure for any written, typed or other printed communication, or any web-based, written communication, that promotes the success or defeat of any candidate for nomination or election or promotes or opposes any political party or solicits funds to benefit any political party or committee, unless such communication bears upon its face the words "Paid for by" and the name of the entity, the name of its chief executive officer or equivalent, and its principal business address and the words "This message was made independent of any candidate or political party.". In the case of an entity making or incurring such an independent expenditure, which entity is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, or an incorporated tax-exempt political organization organized under Section 527 of said code, such communication shall also bear upon its face the words "Top Five Contributors" followed by a list of the five persons or entities making the largest contributions to such organization during the twelve-month period before the date of such communication.
(2) In addition to the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, no entity shall make or incur an independent expenditure for television advertising or Internet video advertising, that promotes the success or defeat of any candidate for nomination or election or promotes or opposes any political party or solicits funds to benefit any political party or committee, unless at the end of such advertising there appears simultaneously, for a period of not less than four seconds, (A) a clearly identifiable video, photographic or similar image of the entity's chief executive officer or equivalent, and (B) a personal audio message, in the following form: "I am …. (name of entity's chief executive officer or equivalent), …. (title) of …. (entity). This message was made independent of any candidate or political party, and I approved its content.". In the case of an entity making or incurring such an independent expenditure, which entity is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, or an incorporated tax-exempt political organization organized under Section 527 of said code, such advertising shall also include a written message in the following form: "The top five contributors to the organization responsible for this advertisement are" followed by a list of the five persons or entities making the largest contributions during the twelve-month period before the date of such advertisement.
(3) In addition to the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, no entity shall make or incur an independent expenditure for radio advertising or Internet audio advertising, that promotes the election or defeat of any candidate for nomination or election or promotes or opposes any political party or solicits funds to benefit any political party or committee, unless the advertising ends with a personal audio statement by the entity's chief executive officer or equivalent (A) identifying the entity paying for the expenditure, and (B) indicating that the message was made independent of any candidate or political party, using the following form: "I am …. (name of entity's chief executive officer or equivalent), …. (title), of …. (entity). This message was made independent of any candidate or political party, and I approved its content.". In the case of an entity making or incurring such an independent expenditure, which entity is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, or an incorporated tax-exempt political organization organized under Section 527 of said code, such advertising shall also include (i) an audio message in the following form: "The top five contributors to the organization responsible for this advertisement are" followed by a list of the five persons or entities making the largest contributions during the twelve-month period before the date of such advertisement, or (ii) in the case of such an advertisement that is thirty seconds in duration or shorter, an audio message providing a web site address that lists such five persons or entities. In such case, the organization shall establish and maintain such a web site with such listing for the entire period during which such organization makes such advertisement.
(4) In addition to the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, no entity shall make or incur an independent expenditure for automated telephone calls that promote the election or defeat of any candidate for nomination or election or promotes or opposes any political party or solicits funds to benefit any political party or committee, unless the narrative of the telephone call identifies the entity making the expenditure and its chief executive officer or equivalent. In the case of an entity making or incurring such an independent expenditure, which entity is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, or an incorporated tax-exempt political organization organized under Section 527 of said code, such narrative shall also include an audio message in the following form: "The top five contributors to the organization responsible for this telephone call are" followed by a list of the five persons or entities making the largest contributions during the twelve-month period before the date of such telephone call.
Sec. 11. Section 9-622 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
The following persons shall be guilty of illegal practices and shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of section 9-623:
(1) Any person who, directly or indirectly, individually or by another person, gives or offers or promises to any person any money, gift, advantage, preferment, entertainment, aid, emolument or other valuable thing for the purpose of inducing or procuring any person to sign a nominating, primary or referendum petition or to vote or refrain from voting for or against any person or for or against any measure at any election, caucus, convention, primary or referendum;
(2) Any person who, directly or indirectly, receives, accepts, requests or solicits from any person, committee, association, organization or corporation, any money, gift, advantage, preferment, aid, emolument or other valuable thing for the purpose of inducing or procuring any person to sign a nominating, primary or referendum petition or to vote or refrain from voting for or against any person or for or against any measure at any such election, caucus, primary or referendum;
(3) Any person who, in consideration of any money, gift, advantage, preferment, aid, emolument or other valuable thing paid, received, accepted or promised to the person's advantage or any other person's advantage, votes or refrains from voting for or against any person or for or against any measure at any such election, caucus, primary or referendum;
(4) Any person who solicits from any candidate any money, gift, contribution, emolument or other valuable thing for the purpose of using the same for the support, assistance, benefit or expenses of any club, company or organization, or for the purpose of defraying the cost or expenses of any political campaign, primary, referendum or election;
(5) Any person who, directly or indirectly, pays, gives, contributes or promises any money or other valuable thing to defray or towards defraying the cost or expenses of any campaign, primary, referendum or election to any person, committee, company, club, organization or association, other than to a campaign treasurer, except that this subdivision shall not apply to any expenses for postage, telegrams, telephoning, stationery, express charges, traveling, meals, lodging or photocopying incurred by any candidate for office or for nomination to office, so far as may be permitted under the provisions of this chapter;
(6) Any person who, in order to secure or promote the person's own nomination or election as a candidate, or that of any other person, directly or indirectly, promises to appoint, or promises to secure or assist in securing the appointment, nomination or election of any other person to any public position, or to any position of honor, trust or emolument; but any person may publicly announce the person's own choice or purpose in relation to any appointment, nomination or election in which the person may be called to take part, if the person is nominated for or elected to such office;
(7) Any person who, directly or indirectly, individually or through another person, makes a payment or promise of payment to a campaign treasurer in a name other than the person's own, and any campaign treasurer who knowingly receives a payment or promise of payment, or enters or causes the same to be entered in the person's accounts in any other name than that of the person by whom such payment or promise of payment is made;
(8) Any person who knowingly and wilfully violates any provision of this chapter;
(9) Any person who offers or receives a cash contribution in excess of one hundred dollars to promote the success or defeat of any political party, candidate or referendum question;
(10) Any person who solicits, makes or receives a contribution that is otherwise prohibited by any provision of this chapter;
(11) Any department head or deputy department head of a state department who solicits a contribution on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any candidate for state, district or municipal office or any political party;
(12) Any municipal employee who solicits a contribution on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any candidate for state, district or municipal office, any political committee or any political party, from (A) an individual under the supervision of such employee, or (B) the spouse or a dependent child of such individual;
(13) Any person who makes [a coordinated] an expenditure, that is not an independent expenditure, for a candidate without the knowledge of [said] such candidate. No candidate shall be civilly or criminally liable with regard to any such [coordinated] expenditure;
(14) Any chief of staff of a legislative caucus who solicits a contribution on behalf of or for the benefit of any candidate for state, district or municipal office from an employee of the legislative caucus;
(15) Any chief of staff for a state-wide elected official who solicits a contribution on behalf of or for the benefit of any candidate for state, district or municipal office from a member of such official's staff; or
(16) Any chief of staff for the Governor or Lieutenant Governor who solicits a contribution on behalf of or for the benefit of any candidate for state, district or municipal office from a member of the staff of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, or from any commissioner or deputy commissioner of any state agency.
Sec. 12. Section 9-718 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, no party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee [, as defined in section 9-601,] shall make an organization expenditure [, as defined in subdivision (25) of section 9-601,] for the benefit of a participating candidate or the candidate committee of a participating candidate in the Citizens' Election Program for the office of state senator in an amount that exceeds ten thousand dollars for the general election campaign.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, no party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee [, as defined in section 9-601,] shall make an organization expenditure [, as defined in subdivision (25) of section 9-601,] for the purposes described in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (25) of section 9-601, as amended by this act, for the benefit of a participating candidate or the candidate committee of a participating candidate in the Citizens' Election Program for the office of state senator for the primary campaign.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, no party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee [, as defined in section 9-601,] shall make an organization expenditure [, as defined in subdivision (25) of section 9-601,] for the benefit of a participating candidate or the candidate committee of a participating candidate in the Citizens' Election Program for the office of state representative in an amount that exceeds three thousand five hundred dollars for the general election campaign.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, no party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee [, as defined in section 9-601,] shall make an organization expenditure [, as defined in subdivision (25) of section 9-601,] for the purposes described in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (25) of section 9-601, as amended by this act, for the benefit of a participating candidate or the candidate committee of a participating candidate in the Citizens' Election Program for the office of state representative for the primary campaign.
Sec. 13. Subsection (a) of section 9-601b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) As used in this chapter and [sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive] chapter 157, the term "expenditure" means:
(1) Any purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value, when made for the purpose of influencing the nomination for election, or election, of any person or for the purpose of aiding or promoting the success or defeat of any referendum question or on behalf of any political party;
(2) Any advertisement that (A) refers to one or more clearly identified candidates, (B) is broadcast by radio or television other than on a public access channel, or appears in a newspaper, magazine or on a billboard, and (C) is broadcast or appears during the ninety-day period preceding the date of a primary or an election, other than a commercial advertisement that refers to an owner, director or officer of a business entity who is also a candidate and that had previously been broadcast or appeared when the owner, director or officer was not a candidate; or
(3) The transfer of funds by a committee to another committee.
Approved June 8, 2010