HB05522 Summary

• Restores and expands Connecticut's Citizens' Election Program by establishing supplemental grants for gubernatorial candidates in primary and general election campaigns, with supplemental grants capped at 75% of the initial grant amounts for 2022 elections.

• Creates new definitions of "qualifying contributions" and "supplemental qualifying contributions" to support the expanded program, with supplemental contributions capped at one-third of the maximum supplemental grant amount.

• Revises the definition of "independent expenditure" to establish presumptions against independence when expenditures are made by "coordinated spenders," including family members, entities controlled by the candidate, and those with certain campaign relationships, while allowing firewall policies as a defense.

• Increases individual contribution limits from $100 to $250 for most statewide and legislative candidates effective January 1, 2019, while eliminating the prior $30,000 aggregate contribution limit.

• Modifies State Elections Enforcement Commission member term limits by allowing members appointed on or after July 1, 2018 to serve more than two consecutive terms, and removes prior complaint processing deadlines that required dismissal after one year.