CT HB05990

Defines "public declaration" of intent to run for office to align with State Elections Enforcement Commission Declaratory Ruling 2009-01, allowing major party candidates to announce to town committees without filing a campaign committee, while permitting petitioning or minor party candidates to publicly announce to potential petition signers.

Establishes separate petition processes for ballot access and grant applications, requiring grant petitions to clearly state they seek Client Security Fund money and mandating signature collectors to make verbal statements that the petition is for state grant funding.

Grants campaign donors the right to request a refund of their donation within one week of making it and requires all candidates to provide written explanations of donation purposes, including refund procedures, with unsolicited donations requiring explanation within five business days.

Defines "advisor" in organization expenditure rules to require advisors provide skilled services and excludes routine tasks like petition circulation or copying.

Permits donors to use one check from a joint account with two signed donor forms and allows checks drawn from a sole proprietor's account as valid campaign donations.