AN ACT CONCERNING CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.

OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS

Legislative Office Building, Room 5200

Hartford, CT 06106 ↓ (860) 240-0200

http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa

sHB-5589

AN ACT CONCERNING CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.

As Amended by House "B" (LCO 7858)

House Calendar No.: 379

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:

Agency Affected	Fund-Effect	FY 18 $	FY 19 $
Resources of the Citizen's Election Fund	Citizens' Election Fund - Potential Savings	See Below	See Below
State Elections Enforcement Commission	GF - Potential Cost	See Below	See Below

Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

The bill modifies laws affecting elections, campaign finance, the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC), and the Citizens' Elections Program (CEP). Specifically, the bill modifies statutes regarding covered transfers, campaign-related disbursements, foreign-influenced entities making covered transfers or independent expenditures, political advertising disclaimers, and candidate grant amounts.

The bill reduces candidate grants based on when applications are submitted. This may result in savings to the Citizens Election Fund. However, it is anticipated that candidates will file applications earlier to receive the full grant amount. This may result in a workload increase for SEEC staff at the full grant deadline date. SEEC may need additional resources to cover overtime costs. Currently, grant applications are received over a longer period of time.

House “B" strikes the underlying bill and its associated fiscal impact. The substitute language results in the fiscal impact described above.

The Out Years

The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.