2019 -- S 0342

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LC001035

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

     

     Introduced By: Senators Goldin, Goodwin, Lynch Prata, McCaffrey, and Satchell

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 17-4 of the General Laws entitled "Federal Elective Officers" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     17-4-13. Disclosure of federal income tax returns.

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     (a) Not later than sixty-three (63) days before a presidential preference primary, as

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provided in § 17-12.1-8 all candidates for presidential nomination shall:

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     (1) File with the state board of elections a copy of their federal income tax returns as

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defined in 26 U.S.C. § 6103(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, for at least the five (5)

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most recent taxable years for which a return has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service; and

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     (2) Provide written consent to the state board of elections in such form as shall be

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prescribed by the state board of elections for the public disclosure of such returns pursuant to this

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section.

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     (b) Federal income tax returns filed with the state board of elections pursuant to this

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section shall be made publicly available on the board's website no later than seven (7) days after

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such filed income tax returns have been filed subject to redaction as authorized by § 17-4-13(c).

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     (c) Prior to making any federal income tax returns public, the state board of elections

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shall redact such information contained in the returns as deemed needed in consultation with the

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state tax administrator and state director of revenue as deemed needed.

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     (d) Presidential candidates who fail to comply with the disclosure regulations of this

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section shall not appear on the official presidential primary ballot.

 

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     (e) Not later than sixty-three (63) days before a general presidential election all

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candidates for president and vice-president shall comply with the requirements of § 17-4-13(a)1-

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2. Candidates for president and vice president who fail to comply with the disclosure regulations

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of this section shall not appear on the official general election ballot.

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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 - PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

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     This act would require all candidates for United States President and Vice President file

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copies of their last five (5) years of federal income tax returns with the state board of elections

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and the tax returns so filed will be redacted as needed and posted on the board of elections

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website.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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