HB 333 Summary

• Candidates with unused campaign contributions must distribute funds by February 1 (general election) or within 90 days (special election), with allowable uses including campaign wind-up expenses, donations to political parties/government/charities, contributor refunds, and transfers to future campaign accounts with limits ($50,000 for governor/lieutenant governor; $10,000 for state senate; $5,000 for state house and other offices).

• State legislature candidates may transfer unused contributions to public office expense term accounts limited to $5,000 per year of the term plus accumulated interest, and must dispose of remaining funds at end of term through donations or contributor refunds.

• Municipal office candidates may transfer up to $5,000 of unused contributions to municipal office accounts for serving expenses, with remaining funds disposed of at end of term.

• Candidate debate forums are permitted as educational activities without restriction, and candidates can participate in forums without compensation being considered a contribution.

• Existing "public office expense term account reserves" for state legislators must be converted to regular public office expense term accounts by January 1, 2013.