HB2666 Summary

• Requires third-party complaints to campaign finance violations be filed by an identifiable individual, not an entity, and the individual must submit evidence of their identity.

• Filing officers remain sole public officers authorized to initiate investigations into alleged campaign finance violations within their jurisdiction.

• Establishes that filing officers cannot issue subpoenas or compel committee registration before making a reasonable cause determination, but may request voluntary production of evidence.

• Enforcement officers may only conduct investigations and issue notices of violation after receiving a referral from the filing officer, and must impose presumptive civil penalties equal to the value of money received or spent in violation, with up to three times multiplier for special circumstances.

• Alleged violators have twenty days to take corrective action to avoid penalties, and may appeal enforcement officer penalties to superior court within thirty days, where the court conducts a trial de novo and enforcement officer bears burden of proof by preponderance of evidence.