SB 300 Summary

• Requires all campaign finance reports and statements to be filed electronically with the Secretary of State, eliminating the previous exception allowing committees receiving $5,000 or less per election cycle to file by paper or facsimile.

• Centralizes filing requirements by mandating all candidates for municipal office file campaign finance statements with the Secretary of State rather than with judges of probate, effective with the 2021 municipal election cycle.

• Maintains civil penalty structure for late or inaccurate campaign finance filings, with penalties ranging from $300 (10% of unreported amounts) for first offense to $1,200 (20% of unreported amounts) for third or subsequent offenses in an election cycle.

• Allows the State Ethics Commission to review and potentially reduce civil penalties upon showing of good cause when challenged within 14 days of penalty notification.

• Becomes effective October 1, 2020.