HB 6864 Summary

• Consolidates campaign finance filing requirements by directing all political committees and candidate committees to file with the State Elections Enforcement Commission rather than town clerks, effective January 1, 2027.

• Removes the previous two-tier system that required municipal candidates and referendum committees to file locally with town clerks, establishing centralized state filing for all candidates for public office and town committee members.

• Requires electronic submission of financial disclosure statements for candidate committees and political committees that raise or spend $1,000 or more, with option to waive electronic filing upon demonstration of good cause.

• Establishes a $100 late filing fee for treasurers and candidates who fail to meet filing deadlines, with the State Elections Enforcement Commission to provide 21-day notice before enforcement action.

• Eliminates the requirement for town clerks to prepare and distribute campaign finance forms and removes their ten-cent filing fee compensation.