SB241 Summary

• Campaign contribution and expenditure reporting: Clarifies timing for when contributions and expenditures are considered "made" and establishes procedures for campaign committee dissolution and asset disposition.

• Legal cost allowance: Permits candidates and officeholders to use campaign funds to pay legal fees and costs associated with civil actions, criminal prosecutions, or investigations reasonably related to performing official duties.

• Civil penalties reduced: Decreases penalties for late or inaccurate campaign finance reporting (from prior amounts to lesser of $300/10%, $600/15%, or $1,200/20% for first through third offenses) and allows penalties to be paid with campaign funds.

• State Ethics Commission authority expanded: Authorizes the Commission to affirm, reduce, or set aside civil penalties; conduct investigations into potential criminal violations; and issue advisory opinions on campaign finance requirements.

• Campaign finance confidentiality: Establishes criminal penalties (Class C felony) for disclosure of information related to filed complaints, while maintaining grand jury-like procedures for ethics investigations.