2016 -- H 7146

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LC003335

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMPLIANCE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Messier, Casey, Morin, Fellela, and McLaughlin

     Date Introduced: January 13, 2016

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 17-25-13 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-25 entitled "Rhode

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Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting" is hereby amended to read as

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follows:

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     17-25-13. Penalties. -- (a) Any person who willfully and knowingly violates the

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provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined

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not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation.

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      (b) The state board may fine any person or entity who violates the provisions of this

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chapter in an amount not more than one hundred dollars ($100) per violation.

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      (c) Fines, fees and penalties imposed by the state board for violations of this chapter

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shall be paid for by the candidate, officeholder or entity against whose campaign the fines, fees or

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penalties have been levied. Fines, fees and penalties levied by the state board pursuant to this

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chapter shall not be paid for from contributions or funds available in a campaign account.

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     (d) Any person who owes fines, fees, or penalties of two thousand dollars ($2,000) or

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more to the state board for violations of this chapter may not be a candidate for public office,

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unless that person is currently compliant with a state board-approved repayment agreement.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMPLIANCE

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     This act would prevent a person from being a candidate for public office who owes fines,

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fees, or penalties of two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more for campaign finance violations,

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unless that person is currently compliant with a state board-approved repayment agreement.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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