HB 2164 Summary

• Establishes a voluntary public campaign financing system for candidates for governor, state senator, state representative, and other statewide offices, funded through a Missouri Clean Election Fund and tax return checkoff program.

• Participating candidates must collect a required number of small qualifying contributions ($5 each) from registered voters in their district during a designated period to receive public funding and a debit card for campaign expenses.

• Creates matching funds for participating candidates when nonparticipating opponents or independent groups exceed spending thresholds, with caps at two times the base public financing amount.

• Prohibits participating candidates from accepting private contributions beyond seed money and qualifying contributions, and requires all campaign expenses be paid through a fair election debit card rather than cash or checks.

• Includes civil fines up to 10 times the violation amount and Class D felony penalties for misusing public funds, false reporting to the Missouri Ethics Commission, or spending beyond allocated limits.