HB 998 Summary

• Establishes a voluntary "Missouri Clean Election" public financing system for candidates for governor, state senator, state representative, and statewide offices, effective after voter approval in November 2011.

• Participating candidates must collect a specified number of $5 qualifying contributions from registered voters in their district (250 for state representatives, 500 for state senators, 250+ in 6+ congressional districts for statewide offices) to receive public funding.

• Creates the "Missouri Clean Election Fund" financed by tax refund check-offs, qualifying contributions, seed money contributions, and voluntary donations to provide campaign grants to certified candidates based on office type and election competitiveness.

• Provides "matching funds" to participating candidates when nonparticipating opponents exceed spending thresholds or when independent expenditures exceed 20% of the public financing amount, up to a cap of two times the base public financing limit.

• Participating candidates must comply with strict spending limits, contribution limits, and disclosure requirements, including using only a debit card for campaign expenses; violations result in civil fines up to 10 times the overage amount or criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment for knowing misuse of public funds.