CT HB05455

Defines "consultant" as any person providing campaign strategy, communications design, advertising, fundraising services, or managing subvendor hiring/payments on behalf of candidates or committees required to file campaign finance reports.

Requires consultants to provide detailed expenditure information to candidates or committees within five days of making or obligating payments to subvendors, including amount, date, payee name, address, purpose, and candidate/referendum supported.

Makes it illegal for consultants to fail to provide complete information necessary for filing campaign finance reports, or to make expenditures on behalf of candidates without knowledge or authorization (except for consultant's overhead or normal operating expenses).

Requires consultants to retain all records of expenditures for four years and prohibits subvendors that make payments from being classified as employees if they have been employed for less than three consecutive months.

Mandates that consultants spending 15% or more of Citizens' Election Fund moneys must register with the State Elections Enforcement Commission and file an affidavit certifying compliance with campaign finance laws and record-keeping requirements.