HB 4997 Summary

• Establishes Secretary of State authority to promulgate rules, issue declaratory rulings, investigate campaign finance violations, and assess civil fines up to $1,000 per violation; creates formal complaint procedures with 5-60 business day response timelines.

• Requires late contribution reports to be posted online within one business day; mandates campaign statements be made publicly available within three business days of receipt and preserved for 5-15 years depending on committee type and funds raised.

• Creates detailed bundled contribution reporting requirements for statewide candidates and committees, requiring disclosure of bundlers, individual contributors, and amounts delivered.

• Adds Section 43a prohibiting candidate committees from paying candidates wages or salaries, while permitting reimbursement for campaign-related expenses; Section 48 requires identification and disclaimers on automated communications advocating candidate election/defeat.

• Modifies contribution limits, cash transaction thresholds ($20 for contributions, $50 for expenditures), and anonymous contribution handling; expands automatic payroll deduction requirements for separate segregated funds to require written affirmative consent.