NC H737

Establishes the North Carolina Public Campaign Fund to provide campaign financing to candidates for North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals who voluntarily accept strict fund-raising and spending limits, effective for 2018 elections and thereafter.

Requires participating candidates to file a declaration of intent, obtain qualifying contributions ($10-$500 each) from at least 400-425 registered voters during the qualifying period (September 1 through primary election), and comply with contribution and expenditure restrictions to be certified for Fund distributions.

Distributes Fund money only in contested general elections: $100,800 (225 times filing fee) for Court of Appeals candidates and $157,500 (350 times filing fee) for Supreme Court candidates who meet certification requirements.

Funds the Public Campaign Fund through individual income tax designations ($3.00 per taxpayer), voluntary donations, a $60 surcharge on North Carolina State Bar attorney membership fees, and unspent campaign revenues returned by candidates.

Establishes enforcement provisions including civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation or three times the amount of financial transactions involved, and requires the State Board of Elections to administer the Fund and report to the General Assembly every two years.