HB5338 Summary

• Removes language requiring independent expenditures made in connection or consultation with a candidate or public official to be treated as contributions.

• Establishes four conditions that must be met for an expenditure to be considered independent, including no coordination with candidates, no advance communication of plans, and no candidate participation in fundraising activities.

• Requires natural persons and non-political entities making independent expenditures of $3,000 or more in any 12-month period to file written disclosures with the State Board of Elections within 2 business days and report further expenditures in $1,000 increments.

• Eliminates the requirement that non-natural person entities spending over $3,000 supporting or opposing candidates must organize as political committees.

• Authorizes the State Board of Elections to impose fines up to 100% of untimely reported expenditure amounts for violations, with consideration of factors including disclosure attempts, clerical errors, and past violations.