CS/CS/HB 869 - Campaign Financing Summary

• Establishes the "Technology in Elections Act" allowing alternative candidate identification statements in political advertisements and exempting certain digital campaign messages from disclosure requirements (wear-able items, social media posts under 200 characters, text messages, software applications).

• Removes reporting requirements from electioneering communications organizations' exclusion from "political committee" definition, while expanding their registration and reporting obligations to match political committees' standards.

• Increases the aggregate expenditure threshold for filing independent expenditure and electioneering communication reports from $100 to $5,000 and establishes quarterly reporting requirements for electioneering communications organizations.

• Removes contribution limitations on electioneering communications organizations and prohibits them from using credit cards for expenditures.

• Authorizes candidates and political committees to place official designation statements on social networking websites or accounts with prior approval, and establishes specific disclaimer requirements for electioneering communication telephone calls.