Chapter 588

2006 -- H 7404

Enacted 07/14/06

A N A C T

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

Introduced By: Representatives Handy, E Coderre, Ajello, Pacheco, and Gemma

Date Introduced: February 16, 2006

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 17-25-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-25 entitled "Rhode

Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting" is hereby amended to read as

follows:

17-25-3. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly

appears from the context:

      (1) "Business entity" means any corporation, whether for profit or not for profit,

domestic corporation or foreign corporation, as defined in section 7-1.2-106, financial institution,

cooperative, association, receivership, trust, holding company, firm, joint stock company, public

utility, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, or any other entity recognized by the

laws of the United States and/or the state of Rhode Island for the purpose of doing business. The

term "business entity" shall not include a political action committee organized pursuant to this

chapter or a political party committee or an authorized campaign committee of a candidate or

office holder.

      (2) "Candidate" means any individual who undertakes any action, whether preliminary or

final, which is necessary under the law to qualify for nomination for election or election to public

office, and/or any individual who receives a contribution or makes an expenditure, or gives his or

her consent for any other person to receive a contribution or make an expenditure, with a view to

bringing about his or her nomination or election to any public office, whether or not the specific

public office for which he or she will seek nomination or election is known at the time the

contribution is received or the expenditure is made and whether or not he or she has announced

his or her candidacy or filed a declaration of candidacy at that time.

      (3) "Contributions" and "expenditures" include all transfers of money, credit or debit

card transactions on-line or electronic payment systems such as "pay pal," paid personal services,

or other thing of value to or by any candidate, committee of a political party, or political action

committee. A loan shall be considered a contribution of money until it is repaid.

      (4) "Election" means any primary, general, or special election or town meeting for any

public office of the state, municipality, or district or for the determination of any question

submitted to the voters of the state, municipality, or district.

      (5) "Election cycle" means the twenty-four (24) month period commencing on January 1

of odd number years and ending on December 31 of even number years; provided, with respect to

the public financing of election campaigns of general officers under sections 17-25-19, 17-25-20,

and 17-25-25, "election cycle" means the forty-eight (48) month period commencing on January

1 of odd numbered years and ending December 31 of even numbered years.

      (6) "Other thing of value" means any item of tangible real or personal property of a fair

market value in excess of one hundred dollars ($100).

      (7) "Paid personal services" means personal services of every kind and nature, the cost or

consideration for which is paid or provided by someone other than the committee or candidate for

whom the services are rendered, but shall not include personal services provided without

compensation by persons volunteering their time.

      (8) "Person" means an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, and

any other organization.

      (9) "Political action committee" means any group of two (2) or more persons that accepts

any contributions to be used for advocating the election or defeat of any candidate or candidates

or to be used for advocating the approval or rejection of any question or questions submitted to

the voters. Only political action committees that have accepted contributions from fifteen (15) or

more persons in amounts of ten dollars ($10.00) or more within an election cycle shall be

permitted to make contributions, and those committees must make contributions to at least five

(5) candidates for state or local office within an election cycle.

      (10) "Public office" means any state, municipal, school, or district office or other

position that is filled by popular election, except political party offices. "Political party offices"

means any state, city, town, ward, or representative or senatorial district committee office of a

political party or delegate to a political party convention, or any similar office.

      (11) "State" means state of Rhode Island.

      (12) "Testimonial affair" means an affair of any kind or nature including, but not limited

to, cocktail parties, breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, dances, picnics, or similar affairs expressly

and directly intended to raise campaign funds in behalf of a candidate to be used for nomination

or election to a public office in this state, or expressly and directly intended to raise funds in

behalf of any state or municipal committee of a political party, or expressly and directly intended

to raise funds in behalf of any political action committee.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01679

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