Bill Summary: HB 5519 - Eliminating the Citizens' Election Program

• Eliminates the Citizens' Election Program effective July 1, 2019, repealing sections 9-700 to 9-712 and related statutes that established public financing for state elections.

• Transfers all remaining funds in the Citizens' Election Fund to the General Fund by June 30, 2019.

• Removes all references to "participating candidates" and the Citizens' Election Program from campaign finance law, treating all candidates under a uniform set of contribution and expenditure rules.

• Removes the criminal offense of failure to repay surplus Citizens' Election Fund grant funds from the larceny statute.

• Updates the State Elections Enforcement Commission's powers and duties to remove references to Citizens' Election Program administration, while maintaining enforcement authority over standard campaign finance regulations.