2020 -- S 2699

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LC004921

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND

EXPENDITURES REGULATORY

     Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, Crowley, Quezada, Picard, and Nesselbush

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2020

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 17-25-3, 17-25-18, 17-25-19, 17-25-20 and 17-25-22 of the General

Laws in Chapter 17-25 entitled "Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures

Reporting" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     17-25-3. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

     (1) "Business entity" means any corporation, whether for profit or not for profit, domestic

corporation or foreign corporation, as defined in § 7-1.2-106, financial institution, cooperative,

association, receivership, trust, holding company, firm, joint stock company, public utility, sole

proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, or any other entity recognized by the laws of the

United States and/or the state of Rhode Island for the purpose of doing business. The term "business

entity" shall not include a political action committee organized pursuant to this chapter or a political

party committee or an authorized campaign committee of a candidate or office holder. The term

"business entity" shall not include any exempt nonprofit as defined herein or any organization

described in § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding

internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, for the purposes of

chapter 25.3 of title 17.

     (2) "Candidate" means any individual who undertakes any action, whether preliminary or

final, which is necessary under the law to qualify for nomination for election or election to public

office, and/or any individual who receives a contribution or makes an expenditure, or gives his or

her consent for any other person to receive a contribution or make an expenditure, with a view to

bringing about his or her nomination or election to any public office, whether or not the specific

public office for which he or she will seek nomination or election is known at the time the

contribution is received or the expenditure is made and whether or not he or she has announced his

or her candidacy or filed a declaration of candidacy at that time.

     (3) "Conduit" or "intermediary" means any person who receives and forwards an

earmarked contribution to a candidate or a candidate's authorized committee, except as otherwise

limited in this chapter.

     (4) "Contributions" and "expenditures" include all transfers of money, credit or debit card

transactions, on-line or electronic payment systems such as "pay pal", paid personal services, or

other thing of value to or by any candidate, committee of a political party, or political action

committee or ballot question advocate. A loan shall be considered a contribution of money until it

is repaid.

     (5) "Earmarked" means a designation, instruction, or encumbrance, whether direct or

indirect, express or implied, oral or written, that results in all or any part of a contribution or

expenditure being made to, or expended on behalf of, a clearly identified candidate or a candidate's

authorized committee.

     (6) "Election" means any primary, general, or special election or town meeting for any

public office of the state, municipality, or district, or for the determination of any question

submitted to the voters of the state, municipality, or district.

     (7) "Election cycle" means the twenty-four month (24) period commencing on January 1

of odd number years and ending on December 31 of even number years; provided, with respect to

the public financing of election campaigns of general officers under §§ 17-25-19, 17-25-20, and

17-25-25, "election cycle" means the forty-eight month (48) period commencing on January 1 of

odd numbered years and ending December 31 of even numbered years.

     (8) "Eligible office" means general office or legislative office.

     (8)(9) "In-kind contributions" means the monetary value of other things of value or paid

personal services donated to, or benefiting, any person required to file reports with the board of

elections.

     (9)(10) "Other thing of value" means any item of tangible real or personal property of a

fair-market value in excess of one hundred dollars ($100).

     (10)(11) "Paid personal services" means personal services of every kind and nature, the

cost or consideration for which is paid or provided by someone other than the committee or

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candidate for whom the services are rendered, but shall not include personal services provided

without compensation by persons volunteering their time.

     (11)(12) "Person" means an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation,

union, charity, and/or any other organization. The term "person" shall not include any exempt

nonprofit as defined herein or any organization described in § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue

Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as

amended from time to time, for the purposes of chapter 25.3 of title 17 only.

     (12)(13) "Political action committee" means any group of two (2) or more persons that

accepts any contributions to be used for advocating the election or defeat of any candidate or

candidates. Only political action committees that have accepted contributions from fifteen (15) or

more persons in amounts of ten dollars ($10.00) or more within an election cycle shall be permitted

to make contributions, and those committees must make contributions to at least five (5) candidates

for state or local office within an election cycle.

     (13)(14) "Public office" means any state, municipal, school, or district office or other

position that is filled by popular election, except political party offices. "Political party offices"

means any state, city, town, ward, or representative or senatorial district committee office of a

political party or delegate to a political party convention, or any similar office.

     (15) "Qualified candidate" means a natural person who is certified by the board of elections

to receive voucher funds under § 17-25-20.1.

     (16) "Qualifying contribution" means a monetary contribution, excluding a loan, in an

aggregate amount greater than or equal to twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and less than the

contribution limit specified under § 17-25-19.1 made by a natural person who is a resident of the

state and is not prohibited from making a contribution under 52 U.S.C. § 30121.

     (14)(17) "State" means state of Rhode Island.

     (15)(18) "Testimonial affair" means an affair of any kind or nature including, but not

limited to, cocktail parties, breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, dances, picnics, or similar affairs

expressly and directly intended to raise campaign funds in behalf of a candidate to be used for

nomination or election to a public office in this state, or expressly and directly intended to raise

funds in behalf of any state or municipal committee of a political party, or expressly and directly

intended to raise funds in behalf of any political action committee.

     (19) "Voucher-eligible resident" means a natural person who satisfied all of the following

conditions:

     (i) Is at least eighteen (18) years old;

     (ii) Currently resides in the state and has resided in the state for more than thirty (30) days;

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     (iii) Is legally eligible to vote for the candidate to whom a voucher is assigned; and

     (iv) Is not prohibited from making a contribution under 52 U.S.C. § 30121.

     (16)(20) "Electioneering communication" means any print, broadcast, cable, satellite, or

electronic media communication not coordinated, as set forth in § 17-25-23, with any candidate,

authorized candidate campaign committee, or political party committee and that unambiguously

identifies a candidate or referendum and is made either within sixty (60) days before a general or

special election or town meeting for the office sought by the candidate or referendum; or thirty (30)

days before a primary election, for the office sought by the candidate; and is targeted to the relevant

electorate.

     (i) A communication that refers to a clearly identified candidate or referendum is "targeted

to the relevant electorate" if the communication can be received by two thousand (2,000) or more

persons in the district the candidate seeks to represent or the constituency voting on the referendum.

     (ii) Exceptions: The term "electioneering communication" does not include:

     (A) A communication appearing in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed

through the facilities of any broadcasting station, unless such facilities are owned or controlled by

any political party, political committee, or candidate;

     (B) A communication that constitutes a candidate debate or forum conducted pursuant to

regulations adopted by the board of elections or that solely promotes such a debate or forum and is

made by or on behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum;

     (C) A communication made by any business entity to its members, owners, stockholders,

or employees;

     (D) A communication over the internet, except for (I) Communications placed for a fee on

the website of another person, business entity, or political action committee; and (II) Websites

formed primarily for the purpose, or whose primary purpose is, to expressly advocate the election

or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the passage or defeat of a referendum; or

     (E) Any other communication exempted under such regulations as the board of elections

may promulgate (consistent with the requirements of this paragraph) to ensure the appropriate

implementation of this paragraph.

     (17)(21) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure that, when taken as a whole,

expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate, or the passage or defeat

of a referendum, or amounts to the functional equivalent of such express advocacy, and is in no

way coordinated, as set forth in § 17-25-23, with any candidate's campaign, authorized candidate

committee, or political party committee. An expenditure amounts to the functional equivalent of

express advocacy if it can only be interpreted by a reasonable person as advocating the election,

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passage, or defeat of a candidate or referendum, taking into account whether the communication

mentions a candidate or referendum and takes a position on a candidate's character, qualifications,

or fitness for office. An independent expenditure is not a contribution to that candidate or

committee.

     (i) Exceptions: The term "independent expenditure" does not include:

     (A) A communication appearing in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed

through the facilities of any broadcasting station, unless such facilities are owned or controlled by

any political party, political committee, or candidate;

     (B) A communication that constitutes a candidate debate or forum conducted pursuant to

regulations adopted by the board of elections or that solely promotes such a debate or forum and is

made by or on behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum;

     (C) A communication made by any business entity to its members, owners, stockholders,

or employees;

     (D) A communication over the internet, except for (I) Communications placed for a fee on

the website of another person, business entity, or political action committee; and (II) Websites

formed primarily for the purpose, or whose primary purpose is, to expressly advocate the election

or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the passage or defeat of a referendum; or

     (E) Any other communication exempted under such regulations as the board of elections

may promulgate (consistent with the requirements of this paragraph) to ensure the appropriate

implementation of this paragraph.

     (18)(22) "Covered transfer" means any transfer or payment of funds by any person,

business entity, or political action committee to another person, business entity, or political action

committee if the person, business entity, or political action committee making the transfer: (i)

Designates, requests, or suggests that the amounts be used for independent expenditures or

electioneering communications or making a transfer to another person for the purpose of making

or paying for such independent expenditures or electioneering communications; (ii) Made such

transfer or payment in response to a solicitation or other request for a transfer or payment for the

making of or paying for independent expenditures or electioneering communications or making a

transfer to another person for the purpose of making or paying for such independent expenditures

or electioneering communications; (iii) Engaged in discussions with the recipient of the transfer or

payment regarding independent expenditures or electioneering communications or making a

transfer to another person for the purpose of making or paying for such independent expenditures

or electioneering communications; or (iv) Made independent expenditures or electioneering

communications in an aggregate amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more during the two-

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year (2) period ending on the date of the transfer or payment, or knew or had reason to know that

the person receiving the transfer or payment made such independent expenditures or electioneering

communications in such an aggregate amount during that two-year (2) period.

     (A) Exceptions: The term "covered transfer" does not include:

     (I) A transfer or payment made by a person, business entity, or political action committee

in the ordinary course of any trade or business conducted by the person, business entity, or political

action committee or in the form of investments made by the person, business entity, or political

action committee; or

     (II) A transfer or payment made by a person, business entity, or political action committee

if the person, business entity, or political action committee making the transfer prohibited, in

writing, the use of such transfer or payment for independent expenditures, electioneering

communications, or covered transfers and the recipient of the transfer or payment agreed to follow

the prohibition and deposited the transfer or payment in an account that is segregated from any

account used to make independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered

transfers.

     (19)(23) For the purposes of chapter 25.3 of title 17, "donation" means all transfers of

money, credit or debit card transactions, on-line or electronic payment systems such as "pay pal",

paid personal services, or other thing of value to or by any person, business entity, or political

action committee. A loan shall be considered a donation of money until it is repaid.

     (20)(24) For the purposes of chapter 25.3 of title 17, "donor" means a person, business

entity, or political action committee that makes a donation.

     (21)(25) "Exempt nonprofit" means any organization described in § 501(c)(4) of the

Internal Revenue Code that spends an aggregate annual amount of no more than ten percent (10%)

of its annual expenses or no more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), whichever is less, on

independent expenditures, electioneering communications, and covered transfers as defined herein

and certifies the same to the board of elections seven (7) days before and after a primary election

and seven (7) days before and after a general or special election.

     (22)(26) For purposes of chapter 25.3 of title 17, "referendum" means the same as the

definition set forth in § 17-5-1.

     17-25-18. Public financing of election campaigns -- General purpose.

     Whereas, the general assembly finds that the cost of running for statewide office has risen

over the last decade at a rate far in excess of the increase in the cost of living; and

     Whereas, the general assembly finds that the need to raise ever larger sums of money to

effectively compete for general and legislative office threatens the essence of our democratic

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system by excluding many well qualified candidates; and

     Whereas, the general assembly finds that the candidate's need to raise large sums of money

can result in disproportionate and inappropriate influence being obtained by those who possess the

financial ability to make large contributions to campaigns; and

     Whereas, the general assembly finds that the state cannot impose limitations on the amount

of private funds raised and expended for election purposes by a candidate unless it provides for at

least partial public financing of campaigns;

     Therefore, the general assembly determines that it is in the best interest of the citizens of

the state to provide public financing to qualified candidates for general and legislative office.

     17-25-19. Public financing of election campaigns -- Outlined.

     (a) To effectuate the purpose stated in § 17-25-18, public funds shall be made available

under the terms and conditions of this section and §§ 17-25-20 -- 17-25-27 to qualifying candidates

for general and legislative office who agree to abide by a limitation on the total amount of campaign

contributions received and expenditures made for election purposes.

     (b) Candidates for general office shall be eligible to receive two dollars ($2.00) of public

funds for each qualified dollar ($1.00) of private funds contributed which do not exceed an

aggregate of five hundred dollars ($500) from a single source within an election cycle and one

dollar ($1.00) of public funds for each qualified dollar ($1.00) of private funds contributed which

exceed an aggregate of five hundred dollars ($500) from a single source within an election cycle

but do not exceed the limitations on aggregate contributions which are eligible to be matched set

in subdivision 17-25-20(3), subject to the provisions of subdivision 17-25-20(2). The total amount

of public matching funds provided to a candidate shall not exceed seven hundred fifty thousand

dollars ($750,000) in matching funds for a total of one million five hundred thousand dollars

($1,500,000) for candidates for governor; and one hundred eighty-seven thousand five hundred

dollars ($187,500) in matching funds for a total of three hundred seventy-five thousand dollars

($375,000) for candidates for other general offices.

     (c) In order to be eligible for matching public funds, each candidate at the time he or she

becomes a candidate, as defined in subdivision 17-25-3(2), but no later than 4:00 pm on the last

day for filing declarations of candidacy for general office, must sign a statement under oath

pledging to comply with the limitations on campaign contributions and expenditures and with all

of the terms and conditions set forth in this chapter. Any candidate who fails to file the statement

with his or her declaration for office shall be ineligible to receive matching public funds.

     (d) Subject to the terms and conditions of this chapter, candidates for general office and

legislative office shall be eligible to receive voucher funds in an amount equal to five hundred

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thousand dollars ($500,000) for candidates for governor, three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000)

for candidates for other general office, and fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for candidates for

legislative office.

     17-25-20. Eligibility criteria for matching public funds.

     In order to receive matching public funds under § 17-25-19, a qualifying candidate must

comply with the following requirements:

     (1) The candidate must sign a statement under oath, as provided for in § 17-25-19, pledging

to comply with the limitations on contributions and expenditures for election purposes and with all

the terms and conditions set forth in this chapter. Upon the filing of the statement, a candidate for

general office shall be bound to abide by the limitations on contributions and expenditures set forth

in this chapter and may not withdraw from his or her obligation to abide by these restrictions terms

and conditions.

     (2)(i) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (ii) of this subdivision, no participating

candidate for governor shall either receive or expend for election purposes more than a total of

public matching and private funds in the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars

($1,500,000) in an election cycle. No participating candidate for general office other than governor

shall receive or expend for election purposes more than a total of public and private matching funds

in the sum of three hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($375,000) five hundred thousand dollars

($500,000) in an election cycle.

     (ii) The limitations on contributions received from private sources, matching funds

available from the state, and total permitted expenditures shall apply in the 1994 general election

and, subject to appropriations by the general assembly, shall increase by a percentage to be

determined by the board of elections in January of each year in which a general election involving

general offices is held, beginning in 1998. In no case shall the increase exceed the total increase in

the consumer price index since the month in which the previous general election involving general

was held.

     (3)(i) Only the first two thousand dollars ($2,000) of the aggregate private monetary

contributions from a single private source within an election cycle shall be eligible for matching

public funds for candidates for governor; provided, that the entire amount contributed shall be

considered toward the dollar limits provided in subdivision (2) of this section.

     (ii) Only the first one thousand dollars ($1,000) of the aggregate private monetary

contributions from a single private source within an election cycle shall be eligible for matching

public funds for candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and general

treasurer; provided, that the entire amount contributed shall be considered toward the dollar limits

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provided for in subdivision (2) of this section.

     (iii) Any private funds lawfully contributed during the current election cycle shall be

eligible for matching public funds subject to the terms and conditions of this section, and private

funds donated during a preceding election cycle shall not be eligible for matching public funds.

     (4) The direct costs incurred in connection with raising campaign funds on behalf of a

candidate shall not be deemed to be expenditures for the purposes of the limitations on expenditures

set forth in subdivision (2) of this section. Direct costs shall include costs of printing and mailing

invitations to fundraising events, solicitations for contributions, costs of hosting fundraising events,

and travel to those events, but shall not include any portion of the salary or wages of campaign

employees, nor the cost of any radio, television, computer/Internet/electronic device, or printed

advertisement. The cost of a fundraising event must be less than the amount of money realized from

the gross proceeds generated by the fundraising event in order to qualify for this exclusion.

     (5) If a candidate who has accepted public funds makes expenditures in excess of the

permitted amounts, the candidate shall be liable for a civil assessment payable to the state in an

amount equal to three (3) times the amount of excess funds expended. In addition, the candidate

shall be ineligible for further participation in the public financing program during the same election

cycle.

     (6) In order to receive payments under this section, any candidate for general office shall

first meet the following additional minimum requirements:

     (i) Raise an amount in qualified private contributions equal to twenty percent (20%) of the

total amount eligible to be matched for election as to the office sought;

     (ii) Receive private contributions from a minimum of two hundred fifty (250) individuals

contributing at least twenty-five dollars ($25.00) each for candidates for governor and receive

private contributions from a minimum of one hundred (100) individuals contributing at least

twenty- five dollars ($25.00) each, for candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state,

attorney general and general treasurer; and

     (iii) Comply with any and all applicable nomination provisions in this title and qualify for

the general election ballot pursuant to the process set forth in this title.

     (7) No public funds received by any candidate pursuant to §§ 17-25-19 -- 17-25-27 of this

chapter and no private funds used to qualify for the public funds shall be expended by the candidate

for any purpose except to pay reasonable and necessary expenses directly related to the candidate's

campaign.

     (8) No public funds shall be expended by the candidate, except for one or more of the

following uses directly related to the campaign of the candidate:

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     (i) Purchase of time on radio or television stations; provided, however, the content of all

television time shall include captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing and the content of all radio

time must be available in a written or text format at the time of request;

     (ii) Purchase of rental space on outdoor signs or billboards;

     (iii) Purchase of advertising space on the computer/Internet/electronic device and in

newspapers and regularly published magazines and periodicals;

     (iv) Payment of the cost of producing the material aired or displayed on radio, television,

outdoor signs or billboards, and computer/Internet/electronic device and in newspapers, regularly

published magazines, and periodicals;

     (v) Payment of the cost of printing and mailing campaign literature and brochures;

     (vi) Purchase of signs, bumper stickers, campaign buttons, and other campaign

paraphernalia;

     (vii) Payment of the cost of legal and accounting expenses incurred in complying with the

public financing law and regulations as required by this chapter;

     (viii) Payment of the cost of telephone deposits, installation charges, and monthly billings

in excess of deposits;

     (ix) Payment of the costs of public opinion polls and surveys; and

     (x) Payment of rent, utilities and associated expenses connected with the operation of an

election headquarters or satellite election offices.

     (9) Contributions received and expended by any candidate for the purpose of defraying any

expense or satisfying any loan obligations incurred prior to January 1, 1991, by the candidate in

furtherance of his or her candidacy in a previous election cycle, as defined in subdivision 17-25-

3(7), shall not be counted toward any contribution or expenditure limitation in §§ 17-25-18 -- 17-

25-27.

     (10) No candidate who has elected to receive public funds shall contribute to or loan to his

or her own campaign a sum in excess of five percent (5%) of the total amount that a candidate is

permitted to expend in a campaign for the office pursuant to §§ 17-25-19 and 17-25-21 fifty

thousand dollars ($50,000) for candidates for governor and twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)

for candidates for general office other than governor.

     17-25-22. Time period for payment of public funds. Time period for payment of

matching public funds.

     (a) No matching public funds shall be dispersed to candidates until after the date of the

primary election. In order to receive matching public funds, the candidate must be a candidate for

general office who meets all of the requirements set forth in subdivision 17-25-20(6). The candidate

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must submit to the board of elections proof of receipt of qualifying private contributions and

supporting documentation as required by the board. The board of elections shall, within five (5)

business days of the receipt of the request for payment of matching funds, either pay over funds to

the candidate or disallow all or a portion of the request and state in writing the reasons for the

disallowance.

     (b) A candidate may submit supplemental applications for matching public funds until the

time that the permitted limits are reached.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 17-25 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Campaign

Contributions and Expenditures Reporting" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following

section:

     17-25-19.1. Voucher program - distribution - assignment - funds.

     (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, one hundred twenty (120)

days prior to the first day of the month in which a primary election occurs, the board of elections

shall mail no fewer than two (2) vouchers to each voucher-eligible resident who is registered to

vote one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the first day of the month in which the primary election

occurs.

     (2) The board of elections shall email the vouchers under subsection (1) of this section to

a voucher-eligible resident if the voucher-eligible resident does all of the following:

     (i) Indicates on a form developed by the board that the voucher-eligible resident wants to

receive the vouchers by email; and

     (ii) Provides the board a valid email address.

     (3) If the election is a special election primary under § 17-15-3, the board shall determine

the specific date on which to distribute vouchers under subsection (1) of this section prior to the

date of the special election primary.

     (4) A natural person who does not receive vouchers under subsection (1) of this section

may request vouchers from the board of elections. The board shall provide the person the same

number of vouchers provided under subsection (1) of this section after the board verifies that the

person is a voucher-eligible resident.

     (5)(i) A voucher-eligible resident may apply to the board of elections to replace a voucher

if the voucher-eligible resident provides a statement on a form developed by the board that the

voucher is lost or stolen.

     (ii) The board shall develop a procedure to determine whether to issue the voucher-eligible

resident a replacement voucher.

     (iii) If the board determines a voucher is lost or stolen the board shall cancel the voucher.

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     (6) To assign a voucher to a qualified candidate as provided under subsection (7)(ii)

through (iv) of this section, the voucher-eligible resident shall do all of the following:

     (i) Write the name of a qualified candidate on the voucher.

     (ii) Sign and date the voucher.

     (7) A voucher-eligible resident may assign a voucher by doing any of the following:

     (i) Assigning the voucher on a secure website created by the board of elections for the

purpose of assigning a voucher;

     (ii) Delivering the voucher to the board of elections;

     (iii) Delivering the voucher to a candidate or a representative of the candidate that is

registered with the board for the purpose of receiving a voucher; or

      (iv) Mailing the voucher to the board. A voucher shall be assigned if it is postmarked no

later than thirty (30) days after the day of the general election.

     (8) A voucher-eligible resident may not do any of the following:

     (i) Change the assignment of a voucher after the voucher-eligible resident assigns the

voucher;

     (ii) Assign a voucher by proxy, power of attorney, or agent;

     (iii) Assign a voucher in a manner other than as provided under subsection (7) of this

section; or

     (iv) Assign a voucher later than thirty (30) days after the day of the general election.

     (9) The board of elections shall distribute voucher funds to a qualified candidate if the

board verifies all of the following:

     (i) The candidate to whom the voucher is assigned is a qualified candidate at the time the

board distributes the voucher funds;

     (ii) The voucher is assigned by a voucher-eligible resident;

     (iii) The voucher contains the voucher-eligible resident’s signature; and

     (iv) The candidate to whom the voucher is assigned has not exceeded voucher funds limit

specified under subsection (10) of this section at the time the board distributes the voucher funds.

     (10) Subject to subsection (11) of this section, the board of elections may not distribute to

a qualified candidate more than the following voucher fund amounts:

     (i) Two hundred-fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the primary election and five

hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the primary and general elections combined for a

candidate for governor;

     (ii) One hundred-fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) for the primary election and three

hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for the primary and general elections combined for a

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candidate for general office other than governor; and

     (iii) Twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the primary election and fifty thousand

dollars ($50,000) for the primary and general elections combined for a candidate for legislative

office.

     (11) The board of elections shall adjust the amounts specified under subsection (10) of this

section for inflation, as determined by the board, no later than six (6) months prior to the primary

election for each eligible office. The board shall determine the adjustment for inflation using the

consumer price index for urban consumers, as published by the U.S. Department of Labor.

      (12) Subject to subsection (13) of this section, the board of elections shall determine and

publish in its timeline with all dates on which the board distributes voucher funds.

     (13)(i) Except as provided in subsection (13)(ii) of this section, the board of elections shall

distribute voucher funds to a candidate no less frequently than twice per month.

     (ii) In the month immediately prior to the month in which a primary or general election

occurs the board of elections shall distribute voucher funds to a candidate no less frequently than

once per week.

     (14) A qualified candidate may only use voucher funds in the same manner as public

matching funds under §§ 17-25-20 (7) and (8).

     (15) A person who knowingly does or attempts to do any of the following is guilty of a

misdemeanor punishable by a fine of no more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), imprisonment

for no longer than three hundred and sixty four (364) days, or both:

     (i) Purchases, sells, or transfers a voucher for consideration.

     (ii) Obtains or controls a voucher with intent to deprive the voucher-eligible resident to

whom the voucher was issued, the use of the voucher.

     (iii) Transfers a voucher obtained or controlled as provided under subsection (15) of this

section.

     (iv) Alters or assigns a voucher without permission from the voucher-eligible resident to

whom the voucher was issued.

     (v) Creates and distributes a counterfeit voucher.

     17-25-19.2. Administration of the voucher program.

     The board of elections shall do all of the following:

     (1) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to administer the voucher program.

Notwithstanding § 42-35-18(b)(7), the board shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance

with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 42 to carry out the provisions, policies, and purposes of

the voucher program.

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     (2) Prescribe forms necessary to administer the voucher program.

     (3) Design a voucher that includes all of the following elements:

     (i) The election for which the board of elections issues the voucher;

     (ii) A serial number and bar code;

     (iii) The amount of voucher funds that the voucher represents;

     (iv) The full name of the voucher-eligible resident who may assign the voucher;

     (v) A place to write the date on which the voucher-eligible resident assigns the voucher;

     (vi) A place to write the name of the qualified candidate to whom the voucher-eligible

resident assigns the voucher;

     (vii) A statement that informs the voucher-eligible resident of all of the following:

     (A) The voucher-eligible resident may not revoke an assignment of the voucher;

     (B) The voucher-eligible resident may not transfer the voucher;

     (C) The voucher has no monetary value; and

     (D) The voucher-eligible resident may assign the voucher only as provided under § 17-25-

19.1;

     (viii) A statement that affirms that the voucher-eligible resident assigns the voucher

voluntarily, free from duress, and not in exchange for consideration;

     (ix) A signature line; and

     (x) Additional information as the board of elections determines is necessary to administer

the voucher program.

     (4) Provide educational material as follows:

     (i) Develop and conduct in-person training for candidates;

     (ii) Publish guides and manuals for the public, candidates, public officials, political parties,

and committees;

     (iii) Publish a timeline of important dates for the program;

     (iv) Conduct education and outreach programs for the general public;

     (v) Provide all materials on paper and on the board of elections’ public-facing website;

     (vi) Publish all materials in a manner accessible by a person with a visual disability; and

     (vi) Provide all materials in the following languages:

     (A) English;

     (B) Spanish;

     (C) Portuguese;

     (D) A language in which election materials are required to be published in this state or a

political subdivision of this state under 52 U.S.C. § 10503; and

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     (E) Any additional language(s) as determined by the board of elections.

     (5) Create and maintain a public-facing website that does all of the following:

     (i) Provides a mechanism by which a voucher-eligible resident may assign a voucher to a

qualified candidate;

     (ii) Displays the following information for every voucher that a voucher-eligible resident

assigns:

     (A) The name of the voucher-eligible resident assigning the voucher;

     (B) The date on which the voucher-eligible resident assigned the voucher;

     (C) The qualified candidate to whom the voucher-eligible resident assigned the voucher;

and

     (D) The serial number of the voucher;

     (iii) Displays the number and amount of vouchers assigned for each primary and general

election, organized by qualified candidate.

     (iv) Displays the name of each person registered to receive vouchers on behalf of a

candidate under §17-25-19.1(7)(iii), the name of the candidate on behalf of whom the person

receives vouchers, and the number of vouchers the person has received.

     (6) Conduct a review of the program following an election cycle and provide all of the

following to the legislature no later than September 1 of the year following the year in which the

state holds a general election:

     (i) A report that describes all of the following for the election cycle:

     (A) The number of candidates and qualified candidates running for eligible office;

     (B) The number of vouchers distributed by the board;

     (C) The number of unused vouchers, number of vouchers assigned and vouchers paid by

the board;

     (D) The amount of money in the fund before and after the election cycle;

     (E) A financial projection of the fund for the subsequent three (3) election cycles;

     (F) The number and nature of public education and outreach events conducted; and

     (G) The number of persons who participated in educational and outreach events.

     (ii) Legislative recommendations for changes to improve the program, including

recommendations for adjustments to all of the following:

     (A) The number of qualifying contributions required under § 17-25-20.1(2);

     (B) The amount of voucher funds a qualifying candidate may receive under § 17-25-19.1

(9);

     (C) The number of vouchers the board of elections provides a voucher-eligible resident

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under § 17-25.19.1 (1); and

     (D) The amount of voucher funds that a voucher represents.

     (iii) An independent financial audit of the voucher program.

     (iv) An independent operational audit of the voucher program.

     17-25-20.1. Eligibility criteria for voucher funds.

     (1) A person may apply to the board of elections for certification as a qualified candidate,

if the person satisfies all of the following conditions:

     (i) The candidate is eligible to run for general office or legislative office;

     (ii) The candidate certifies to the board of elections that the candidate has filed all campaign

finance reports required by this chapter with the board of elections and that the campaign finance

reports are complete and accurate;

     (iii) The candidate has complied with the requirements of this chapter;

     (iv) The candidate agrees to comply with all of the following requirements for the

remainder of the election cycle:

     (A) Participate in no fewer than two (2) debates prior to a primary election and no fewer

than two (2) debates prior to the general election;

     (B) Solicit or accept contributions only from a natural person;

     (C) Solicit or accept aggregate contributions from an individual as specified in subsection

(4)(i) of this section; and

     (D) Spend voucher funds only as permitted in §§ 17-25-20(7) and (8).

     (v) Spend no more than the following amounts for direct campaign costs during the election

cycle using personal funds:

     (A) Seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) for a candidate for governor;

     (B) Eighteen thousand seven hundred fifty dollars ($18,750) for a candidate for general

office other than governor; and

     (C) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) for a candidate for legislative office.

     (vi) The person has complied with subsections (1)(i) through (v) of this section for the

entirety of the election cycle prior to submitting the application for certification as a qualified

candidate.

     (2) The board of elections shall certify a candidate as a qualified candidate if the candidate

applied, as required under subsection (1) of this section and has received no fewer than the

following number of qualifying contributions required for the eligible office:

     (i) Two hundred fifty (250) qualifying contributions for a candidate for governor;

     (ii) One hundred (100) qualifying contributions for a candidate for general office other than

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governor; and

     (iii) One hundred (100) qualifying contributions for a candidate for legislative office, of

which fifty (50) shall be from residents of the candidate’s legislative district.

     (3) A person may not apply for certification under subsection (1) of this section after the

date for filing nomination papers, as specified under § 17-14-12.

     (4)(i) Notwithstanding the limits under § 17-25-10.1(a)(1), a qualified candidate may not

solicit or accept aggregate contributions from a natural person in a calendar year that exceed the

following amounts:

     (A) Five hundred dollars ($500) for a candidate for governor;

     (B) Three hundred fifty dollars ($350) for a candidate for general office other than

governor; and

     (C) One hundred fifty dollars ($150) for a candidate for legislative office.

     (ii) A qualified candidate may solicit or accept a voucher from a voucher-eligible resident

who has made aggregate contributions to the qualified candidate that are less than or equal to the

amounts under subsection (4)(i) of this section.

     (5)(i) The board of elections shall revoke a qualified candidate’s certification if the

qualified candidate does any of the following:

     (A) Withdraws from the election;

     (B) Fails to advance to a general election;

     (C) Violates the requirements for certification as a qualified candidate; or

     (D) Violates the requirements of this chapter, as determined by the board in a proceeding

under chapter 7 of title 17.

     (ii) The board of elections shall provide a written determination to a qualified candidate

whose certification is revoked under subsection (5)(i) of this section that includes all of the

following:

     (A) The specific violation under subsection (5)(i) of this section that is the basis of revoking

the certification; and

     (B) The specific facts found by the board that form the basis for revoking the certification.

     (iii) A person whose certification is revoked may appeal the board of elections’ written

determination to the district court.

     (6) A qualified candidate shall return to the board of elections for deposit into the fund all

remaining voucher funds the candidate received under § 17-25-19.1(8) after accounting for

campaign debts and expenditures, no later than six (6) months after any of the following occur:

     (i) The board of elections revokes the qualified candidate’s certification under subsection

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(5) of this section;

     (ii) The qualified candidate dies; or

     (iii) The qualified candidate loses or wins the general election.

     SECTION 3. Severability. – If a provision of this act or its application to any person or

circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect any other provisions or applications of

this act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the

provisions of this act are severable.

     SECTION 4. 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 - RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND

EXPENDITURES REGULATORY

***

     This act would expand the availability of public funds to candidates for the general

assembly while also increasing the maximum amount of funds available for general office

candidates. It would establish a comprehensive public voucher fund program with detailed

requirements and eligibility criteria for qualified candidate participation.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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