HF 4540 Summary

• Modifies the definition of "express advocacy" to include communications that, taken as a whole, are susceptible of no reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to elect or defeat a clearly identified candidate.

• Requires campaign advertisements paid for by committees (except political parties and principal campaign committees) to disclose the committee's three top contributors who have given cumulative contributions of $10,000 or more in the 12 months preceding the advertisement.

• Establishes new disclosure requirements for electioneering communications made within 30-60 days of elections, including specific filing deadlines, contributor identification, and penalties for late filing up to $1,000.

• Sets detailed formatting and disclosure requirements for campaign advertisements across multiple media types (print, broadcast, video, radio, electronic, and social media) with font sizes, placement standards, and display specifications.

• Establishes civil penalties up to $3,000 for violations of campaign advertisement disclosure requirements and up to $1,000 civil penalties plus late filing fees for failure to file electioneering communication statements.