2017 -- H 5708

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LC001946

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMPLIANCE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Morin, Messier, Marshall, and Casey

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2017

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (by request)

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.

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     (a) Any person who willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of this chapter shall,

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upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than one thousand

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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 shall

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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) No person who owes more than five hundred dollars ($500) in fines, fees, and

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penalties imposed for violations of this chapter, for more than two (2) years, and has exhausted all

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their rights of appeal may not be a candidate for public office.

 

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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 prohibit any person who owes more than five hundred dollars ($500) in

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board of election imposed fines, fees and penalties for more than two (2) years, and who has

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exhausted all of their appeals, may not run for public office.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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