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H 4889
Session 114 (2001-2002)


H 4889 General Bill, By Meacham-Richardson, Allison, Cobb-Hunter, Davenport, 
Emory, Kirsh, Littlejohn, Miller, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Sinclair, J.E. Smith, 
J.R. Smith, Snow, Thompson, Wilder, Witherspoon and A. Young
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-30, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
 1976, RELATING TO LOBBYIST'S REPORTING OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO CHANGE
 THE TIME FOR FILING REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-35, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
 LOBBYISTS' PRINCIPALS' REPORTING OF LOBBYING EXPENDITURES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE
 TIME FOR FILING REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-40, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE
 STATE AGENCY OR DEPARTMENT REPORT OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE
 TIME FOR FILING THE REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-90, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
 ACTS PROHIBITED OF LOBBYISTS' PRINCIPALS, ACTS PROHIBITED OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS
 AND EMPLOYEES, EXCEPTIONS, AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO EXCLUDE
 CABINET OFFICERS; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-100, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
 DEFINITIONS USED IN THE ETHICS, GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CAMPAIGN REFORM
 ACT, SO AS TO DELETE WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF "APPROPRIATE SUPERVISORY OFFICE"
 REFERENCES TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEES AND DELETE WITHIN THE
 DEFINITION OF "ELECTION", A BALLOT MEASURE; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-320, AS
 AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION, SO
 AS TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR A PERSON TO PETITION THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
 ALLEGING THE VIOLATIONS COMPLAINED OF AND PRAYING FOR APPROPRIATE RELIEF
 DURING THE FIFTY-DAY PERIOD BEFORE AN ELECTION AND TO REQUIRE A NOTICE OF
 WAIVER BE FORWARDED TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION AFTER A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN
 DISMISSED WHEN IT DOES NOT ALLEGE FACTS SUFFICIENT TO CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION;
 BY ADDING SECTION 8-13-365 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE ETHICS COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH
 A SYSTEM OF ELECTRONIC FILING, REQUIRE DISCLOSURES AND FILINGS BE FILED
 ELECTRONICALLY, AND RECEIPTS OR EXPENDITURES BE REPORTED ELECTRONICALLY WITH
 CERTAIN TIMES; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-530, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE POWERS
 AND DUTIES OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ETHICS COMMITTEES, SO AS
 TO INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS COMMITTEES WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF A
 COMMITTEE AND PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR A PERSON TO PETITION THE COURT OF COMMON
 PLEAS ALLEGING THE VIOLATION COMPLAINED OF PRAYING FOR APPROPRIATE RELIEF
 DURING THE FIFTY-DAY PERIOD BEFORE AN ELECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1300, AS
 AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO
 CAMPAIGN PRACTICES, SO AS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "APPROPRIATE SUPERVISORY
 OFFICE" TO DELETE REFERENCES TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEES AND
 AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "COMMITTEE" TO INCLUDE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO, TO INFLUENCE
 THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTIVE OFFICE, MAKES INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AGGREGATING
 FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS OR MORE DURING AN ELECTION CYCLE, TO AMEND THE DEFINITION
 OF "ELECTION" TO DELETE BALLOT MEASURE WITHIN ITS DEFINITION, TO AMEND THE
 DEFINITION OF "INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE" TO INCLUDE AN EXPENDITURE MADE UPON
 CONSULTATION WITH A COMMITTEE OR AGENT OF A COMMITTEE OR A BALLOT MEASURE
 COMMITTEE OR AN AGENT OF A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE, BY DEFINING "BALLOT
 MEASURE COMMITTEE" AND "INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTIVE OFFICE"; TO AMEND
 SECTION 8-13-1302, RELATING TO MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY A
 CANDIDATE, SO AS TO INCLUDE A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE AND REQUIRE THE
 OCCUPATION AND EMPLOYER BE MAINTAINED BY THE CANDIDATE, COMMITTEE, OR BALLOT
 MEASURE COMMITTEE; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1304, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT
 THAT COMMITTEES RECEIVING AND SPENDING FUNDS MUST FILE A STATEMENT OF
 ORGANIZATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE WHICH RECEIVES OR
 EXPENDS MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS IN THE AGGREGATE DURING AN ELECTION
 CYCLE TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF A BALLOT MEASURE TO FILE A STATEMENT OF
 ORGANIZATION AND DELETE THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE STATEMENT TO BE FILED BY A
 COMMITTEE WHICH RECEIVES OR EXPENDS MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS; TO AMEND
 SECTION 8-13-1306, RELATING TO THE CONTENTS OF A STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION, SO
 AS TO INCLUDE BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE WHERE APPLICABLE; TO AMEND SECTION
 8-13-1308, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE FILING OF CERTIFIED CAMPAIGN REPORTS BY
 CANDIDATES AND COMMITTEES, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE MAKING OF INDEPENDENT
 EXPENDITURES WITHIN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECTION, AND REQUIRE A CERTIFIED
 CAMPAIGN REPORT TO BE FILED UPON THE RECEIPT OF ANYTHING OF VALUE TOTALING, IN
 AN ACCUMULATED AGGREGATE, TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS OR MORE; BY ADDING
 SECTION 8-13-1309, SO AS TO REQUIRE A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE REQUIRED TO
 FILE A STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION MUST FILE AN INITIAL CERTIFIED CAMPAIGN
 REPORT; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1310, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RECIPIENTS OF
 CERTAIN CAMPAIGN REPORTS AND COPIES OF THEM AND THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
 REVIEW, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT TO SEND CAMPAIGN REPORTS TO THE
 STATE ELECTION COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1316, RELATING TO
 RESTRICTIONS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM POLITICAL PARTIES, SO AS
 TO PROHIBIT A POLITICAL PARTY FROM RECEIVING CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH ITS PARTY
 COMMITTEES OR LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS COMMITTEES WHICH TOTAL CERTAIN AGGREGATE
 AMOUNTS AND PROVIDE THAT A CONTRIBUTION GIVEN IN VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (A)
 OF THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE KEPT BY THE RECIPIENT, BUT WITHIN TEN DAYS REMIT IT
 TO THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1324, RELATING TO
 ANONYMOUS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THESE CONTRIBUTIONS TO A
 BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1332, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL
 CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES, SO AS TO INCLUDE A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE AS
 WELL AS A COMMITTEE AND DELETE FROM THE PROHIBITION AN ORGANIZATION OR
 COMMITTEE OF AN ORGANIZATION TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ORGANIZATION
 COMMITTEE FROM A PERSON OTHER THAN ITS MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES; BY ADDING
 SECTION 8-13-1333 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS AND
 COMMITTEES FORMED BY NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM
 THE GENERAL PUBLIC; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1354, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE
 IDENTIFICATION OF A PERSON INDEPENDENTLY PAYING FOR ELECTION-RELATED
 COMMUNICATION, SO AS TO DELETE A BALLOT MEASURE FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE
 SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1366, RELATING TO THE PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF
 CERTIFIED CAMPAIGN REPORTS, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION
 AS A LOCATION OF THESE REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1368, RELATING TO
 TERMINATION OF CAMPAIGN FILING REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE BALLOT MEASURE
 COMMITTEES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1370,
 RELATING TO THE USE OF UNEXPENDED CONTRIBUTIONS BY A CANDIDATE AFTER AN
 ELECTION, SO AS TO INCLUDE A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE WITHIN THE REQUIREMENTS
 OF THE SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1372, RELATING TO TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS
 OF RULES ON CAMPAIGN REPORTS, SO AS TO SUBSTITUTE THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
 FOR THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION AS THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING
 ERRORS OR OMISSIONS ON CAMPAIGN REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1510, RELATING
 TO THE PENALTY FOR LATE FILING OF OR FAILURE TO FILE A REPORT OR STATEMENT, SO
 AS TO DELETE THE FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR MAXIMUM FINE; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1520,
 RELATING TO A VIOLATION OF CHAPTER 13 OF TITLE 8, SO AS TO MAKE CERTAIN
 VIOLATIONS OF ARTICLE 13 OF CHAPTER 8 A MISDEMEANOR AND PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR
 VIOLATIONS; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 8-13-1160 RELATING TO FORWARDING COPIES OF
 STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTEREST FROM THE LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEES TO THE
 STATE ETHICS COMMISSION.

   03/07/02  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-51
   03/07/02  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-55



A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-30, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LOBBYIST'S REPORTING OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TIME FOR FILING REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-35, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LOBBYISTS' PRINCIPALS' REPORTING OF LOBBYING EXPENDITURES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TIME FOR FILING REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-40, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE STATE AGENCY OR DEPARTMENT REPORT OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TIME FOR FILING THE REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-90, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ACTS PROHIBITED OF LOBBYISTS' PRINCIPALS, ACTS PROHIBITED OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, EXCEPTIONS, AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO EXCLUDE CABINET OFFICERS; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-100, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN THE ETHICS, GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CAMPAIGN REFORM ACT, SO AS TO DELETE WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF "APPROPRIATE SUPERVISORY OFFICE" REFERENCES TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEES AND DELETE WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF "ELECTION", A BALLOT MEASURE; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-320, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR A PERSON TO PETITION THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS ALLEGING THE VIOLATIONS COMPLAINED OF AND PRAYING FOR APPROPRIATE RELIEF DURING THE FIFTY-DAY PERIOD BEFORE AN ELECTION AND TO REQUIRE A NOTICE OF WAIVER BE FORWARDED TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION AFTER A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN DISMISSED WHEN IT DOES NOT ALLEGE FACTS SUFFICIENT TO CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION; BY ADDING SECTION 8-13-365 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE ETHICS COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM OF ELECTRONIC FILING, REQUIRE DISCLOSURES AND FILINGS BE FILED ELECTRONICALLY, AND RECEIPTS OR EXPENDITURES BE REPORTED ELECTRONICALLY WITH CERTAIN TIMES; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-530, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ETHICS COMMITTEES, SO AS TO INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS COMMITTEES WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF A COMMITTEE AND PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR A PERSON TO PETITION THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS ALLEGING THE VIOLATION COMPLAINED OF PRAYING FOR APPROPRIATE RELIEF DURING THE FIFTY-DAY PERIOD BEFORE AN ELECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1300, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO CAMPAIGN PRACTICES, SO AS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "APPROPRIATE SUPERVISORY OFFICE" TO DELETE REFERENCES TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEES AND AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "COMMITTEE" TO INCLUDE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO, TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTIVE OFFICE, MAKES INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AGGREGATING FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS OR MORE DURING AN ELECTION CYCLE, TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "ELECTION" TO DELETE BALLOT MEASURE WITHIN ITS DEFINITION, TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE" TO INCLUDE AN EXPENDITURE MADE UPON CONSULTATION WITH A COMMITTEE OR AGENT OF A COMMITTEE OR A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE OR AN AGENT OF A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE, BY DEFINING "BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE" AND "INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTIVE OFFICE"; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1302, RELATING TO MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY A CANDIDATE, SO AS TO INCLUDE A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE AND REQUIRE THE OCCUPATION AND EMPLOYER BE MAINTAINED BY THE CANDIDATE, COMMITTEE, OR BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1304, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT COMMITTEES RECEIVING AND SPENDING FUNDS MUST FILE A STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE WHICH RECEIVES OR EXPENDS MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS IN THE AGGREGATE DURING AN ELECTION CYCLE TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF A BALLOT MEASURE TO FILE A STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION AND DELETE THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE STATEMENT TO BE FILED BY A COMMITTEE WHICH RECEIVES OR EXPENDS MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1306, RELATING TO THE CONTENTS OF A STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION, SO AS TO INCLUDE BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE WHERE APPLICABLE; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1308, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE FILING OF CERTIFIED CAMPAIGN REPORTS BY CANDIDATES AND COMMITTEES, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE MAKING OF INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES WITHIN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECTION, AND REQUIRE A CERTIFIED CAMPAIGN REPORT TO BE FILED UPON THE RECEIPT OF ANYTHING OF VALUE TOTALING, IN AN ACCUMULATED AGGREGATE, TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS OR MORE; BY ADDING SECTION 8-13-1309, SO AS TO REQUIRE A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE REQUIRED TO FILE A STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION MUST FILE AN INITIAL CERTIFIED CAMPAIGN REPORT; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1310, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RECIPIENTS OF CERTAIN CAMPAIGN REPORTS AND COPIES OF THEM AND THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION REVIEW, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT TO SEND CAMPAIGN REPORTS TO THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1316, RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM POLITICAL PARTIES, SO AS TO PROHIBIT A POLITICAL PARTY FROM RECEIVING CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH ITS PARTY COMMITTEES OR LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS COMMITTEES WHICH TOTAL CERTAIN AGGREGATE AMOUNTS AND PROVIDE THAT A CONTRIBUTION GIVEN IN VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE KEPT BY THE RECIPIENT, BUT WITHIN TEN DAYS REMIT IT TO THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1324, RELATING TO ANONYMOUS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THESE CONTRIBUTIONS TO A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1332, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES, SO AS TO INCLUDE A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE AS WELL AS A COMMITTEE AND DELETE FROM THE PROHIBITION AN ORGANIZATION OR COMMITTEE OF AN ORGANIZATION TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE FROM A PERSON OTHER THAN ITS MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES; BY ADDING SECTION 8-13-1333 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS AND COMMITTEES FORMED BY NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1354, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF A PERSON INDEPENDENTLY PAYING FOR ELECTION-RELATED COMMUNICATION, SO AS TO DELETE A BALLOT MEASURE FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1366, RELATING TO THE PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF CERTIFIED CAMPAIGN REPORTS, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION AS A LOCATION OF THESE REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1368, RELATING TO TERMINATION OF CAMPAIGN FILING REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1370, RELATING TO THE USE OF UNEXPENDED CONTRIBUTIONS BY A CANDIDATE AFTER AN ELECTION, SO AS TO INCLUDE A BALLOT MEASURE COMMITTEE WITHIN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1372, RELATING TO TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS OF RULES ON CAMPAIGN REPORTS, SO AS TO SUBSTITUTE THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION FOR THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION AS THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING ERRORS OR OMISSIONS ON CAMPAIGN REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1510, RELATING TO THE PENALTY FOR LATE FILING OF OR FAILURE TO FILE A REPORT OR STATEMENT, SO AS TO DELETE THE FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR MAXIMUM FINE; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1520, RELATING TO A VIOLATION OF CHAPTER 13 OF TITLE 8, SO AS TO MAKE CERTAIN VIOLATIONS OF ARTICLE 13 OF CHAPTER 8 A MISDEMEANOR AND PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 8-13-1160 RELATING TO FORWARDING COPIES OF STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTEREST FROM THE LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEES TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    The first paragraph of Section 2-17-30(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 6 of 1995, is further amended to read:

    "Each lobbyist, no later than April tenth and October tenth of each year, must file a report with the State Ethics Commission covering that lobbyist's lobbying during that filing period. The filing periods shall be from January first to March thirty-first for the April tenth report and shall be from April first to September thirtieth for the October tenth report. Any lobbying activity not reflected on the October tenth report and not reported on a statement of termination pursuant to Section 2-17-20(C) must be reported no later than December thirty-first of that January tenth of the succeeding year. Each report must be in a form prescribed by the State Ethics Commission and be limited to and contain:"

SECTION    2.    The first paragraph of Section 2-17-35(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 6 of 1995, is further amended to read:

    "Except as otherwise provided by Section 2-17-90(E), each lobbyist's principal, no later than April tenth and October tenth of each year, must file a report with the State Ethics Commission covering that lobbyist's principal's expenditures attributable to lobbying during that filing period. The filing periods shall be from January first to March thirty-first for the April tenth report and shall be from April first to September thirtieth for the October tenth report. Any lobbying activity not reflected on the October tenth report and not reported on a statement of termination pursuant to Section 2-17-25(C) must be reported no later than December thirty-first of that January tenth of the succeeding year. Each report must be in a form prescribed by the State Ethics Commission and be limited to and contain:"

SECTION    3.    The first paragraph of Section 2-17-40(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 248 of 1991, is further amended to read:

    "Each state agency or department shall, no later than April first tenth and October first tenth of each year, file a report with the State Ethics Commission covering that agency's lobbying during that filing period. The filing periods are from January first to March thirty-first for the April tenth report and from April first to September thirtieth for the October tenth report. Any lobbying activity not reflected on the October tenth report and not reported on a statement of termination pursuant to Section 2-17-25(C) must be reported no later than January tenth of the succeeding year. Each report must be in a form prescribed by the State Ethics Commission and be limited to and contain:"

SECTION    4.    Section 2-17-90(A) of the 1976 Code is further amended by adding:

    "(7)    as to cabinet officers, a function to which all cabinet officers are invited."

SECTION    5.    Section 2-17-90(B) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "(B)    No lobbyist's principal or person acting on behalf of a lobbyist's principal may provide to a public official or a public employee pursuant to subsections (A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), or (A)(5), or (A)(7) the value of lodging, transportation, entertainment, food, meals, or beverages exceeding twenty-five dollars in a day and two hundred dollars in a calendar year per public official or public employee."

SECTION    6.    Section 8-13-100(2) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(2)    'Appropriate supervisory office' means:

        (a)    the State Ethics Commission for all persons required to file reports under this chapter except for those members of or candidates for the office of State Senator or State Representative;

        (b)    the Senate Ethics Committee for members of or candidates for the office of State Senator and the House of Representatives Ethics Committee for members of or candidates for the office of State Representative."

SECTION    7.    Section 8-13-100(12) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 6 of 1995, is further amended to read:

    "(12)    'Election' means:

        (a)    a general, special, primary, or runoff election;

        (b)    a convention or caucus of a political party held to nominate a candidate; or

        (c)    the election of delegates to a constitutional convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of this State; or

        (d)    a ballot measure."

SECTION    8.    The first paragraph of Section 8-13-320(9) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 6 of 1995, is further amended to read:

    "(9)    to initiate or receive complaints and make investigations, as provided in item (10), of statements filed or allegedly failed to be filed under the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 17 of Title 2 and, upon complaint by an individual, of an alleged violation of this chapter or Chapter 17 of Title 2 by a public official, public member, or public employee except members of or candidates for the General Assembly unless otherwise provided for under House or Senate rules. Any A person charged with a violation of this chapter or Chapter 17 of Title 2 is entitled to the administrative hearing process contained in this section."

SECTION    9.    Section 8-13-320(9)(b) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(b)    No complaint may be accepted by the commission concerning a candidate for elective office in the fifty-day period before an election in which he is a candidate. Action on a complaint filed against a candidate which was received more than fifty days before the election and which cannot be disposed of or dismissed by the commission at least thirty days before the election must be postponed until after the election. During this fifty-day period, any person may petition the court of common pleas alleging the violations complained of and praying for appropriate relief by way of mandamus or injunction. Within ten days, a rule to show cause hearing shall be held and the court shall either dismiss the petition, or direct that a mandamus order or an injunction or both be issued. A violation of this chapter by a candidate during this fifty-day period must be considered to be an irreparable injury for which no adequate remedy at law exists. The institution of an action for injunctive relief does not relieve any party to the proceeding from any penalty prescribed for violations of this chapter. In the event the court dismisses a petition for mandamus or injunctive relief based upon a finding that the petition is frivolous, the court must award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the nonpetitioning party."

SECTION    10.    Section 8-13-320(10)(b) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(b)    If the commission or its executive director determines that the complaint does not allege facts sufficient to constitute a violation, the commission shall dismiss the complaint and notify the complainant and respondent, and the entire matter must be stricken from public record unless the respondent, by written authorization, waives the confidentiality of the existence of the complaint and authorizes the release of information about the disposition of the complaint. Notice of waiver must be forwarded to the State Ethics Commission."

SECTION    11.    Section 8-13-320(10) of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "(p)    The commission shall refer its findings regarding violation of this chapter by members of the General Assembly to the appropriate legislative committee for action."

SECTION    12.    The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 8-13-365.    (A)    The commission shall establish a system of electronic filing for disclosures and reports from all candidates and entities. All reports required to be filed with the commission must be filed using an internet-based filing system as specified by the commission. The information contained in the disclosures and reports, with the exception of social security numbers, must be accessible by anyone with internet access.

    (B)    All disclosures and reports required to be filed under the provisions of this chapter must be filed electronically according to requirements established by the commission.

    (C)    Within ten days immediately preceding an election, receipt or expenditures of regulated amounts must be reported electronically within forty-eight hours of the receipt or expenditure."

SECTION    13.    Section 8-13-530(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 248 of 1991, is further amended to read:

    "(1)    upon the filing of a complaint, investigate possible violations of breach of a privilege governing a member of the appropriate house, the alleged breach of a rule governing a member of, legislative caucus committees for, or candidate for the appropriate house, misconduct of a member of, legislative caucus of, or candidate for the appropriate house, or a violation of this chapter or Chapter 17 of Title 2;"

SECTION    14.    Section 8-13-530(2) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 248 of 1991, is further amended to read:

    "(2)    receive and hear a complaint which alleges a breach of a privilege governing a member of the appropriate house, the alleged breach of a rule governing a member of or candidate for the appropriate house, misconduct of a member of or candidate for the appropriate house, or a violation of this chapter or Chapter 17 of Title 2. No complaint may be accepted by the ethics committee concerning a member of or candidate for the appropriate house in the fifty-day period before an election in which the member or candidate is a candidate. Action on a complaint filed against a member or candidate which was received more than fifty days before the election and which cannot be disposed of or dismissed by the ethics committee at least thirty days before the election must be postponed until after the election. During this fifty-day period, any person may petition the court of common pleas alleging the violations complained of and praying for appropriate relief by way of mandamus or injunction. Within ten days, a rule to show cause hearing shall be held and the court shall either dismiss the petition, or direct that a mandamus order or an injunction or both be issued. A violation of this chapter by a candidate during this fifty-day period must be considered to be an irreparable injury for which no adequate remedy at law exists. The institution of an action for injunctive relief does not relieve any party to the proceeding from any penalty prescribed for violations of this chapter. In the event the court dismisses a petition for mandamus or injunctive relief based upon a finding that the petition is frivolous, the court must award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the nonpetitioning party;"

SECTION    15.    Section 8-13-1300(1) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(1)    'Appropriate supervisory office' means the:

        (a)    the State Ethics Commission for all candidates for public office in this State except for members of or candidates for the office of State Senator or State Representative; and

        (b)    the Senate Ethics Committee for members of or candidates for the office of State Senator, and the House of Representatives Ethics Committee for members of or candidates for the office of State Representative;

        (c)    the State Ethics Commission for all committees, except legislative caucus committees, supporting or opposing a ballot measure or supporting or opposing a candidate;

        (d)    the Senate Ethics Committee for all legislative caucus committees affiliated with the Senate, the House of Representatives Ethics Committee for all legislative caucus committees affiliated with the House of Representatives, and both ethics committees for all legislative caucus committees affiliated with both houses."

SECTION    16.    Section 8-13-1300(6) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(6)    'Committee' means an association, a club, an organization, or a group of persons which, to influence the outcome of an elective office or a ballot measure, receives contributions or makes expenditures in excess of five hundred dollars in the aggregate during an election cycle. It also means an individual a person who, to influence the outcome of an elective office or a ballot measure, makes:

        (a)    contributions aggregating at least fifty thousand dollars during an election cycle to, or at the request of, a candidate or a committee, or a combination of them.; or

        (b)    independent expenditures aggregating five hundred dollars or more during an election cycle for the election or defeat of a candidate.

    'Committee' includes a party committee, a legislative caucus committee, a noncandidate committee, or a committee that is not a campaign committee for a candidate but that is organized for the purpose of influencing an election."

SECTION    17.    Section 8-13-1300(9) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 6 of 1995, is further amended to read:

    "(9)    'Election' means:

        (a)    a general, special, primary, or runoff election;

        (b)    a convention or caucus of a political party held to nominate a candidate; or

        (c)    the election of delegates to a constitutional convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of this State; or

        (d)    a ballot measure."

SECTION    18.    Section 8-13-1300(17) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 6 of 1995, is further amended to read:

    "(17)    'Independent expenditure' means:

        (a)    an expenditure made by a person to advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or ballot measure; and

        (b)    when taken as a whole and in context, the expenditure made by a person expressly to urge a particular result in an election but which is not:

            (i)    made to;

            (ii)    controlled by;

            (iii)    coordinated with;

            (iv)    requested by; or

            (v)    made upon consultation with a candidate or an agent of a candidate; or a committee or agent of a committee; or a ballot measure committee or an agent of a ballot measure committee.

    Expenditures by party committees or expenditures by legislative caucus committees based upon party affiliation are considered to be controlled by, coordinated with, requested by, or made upon consultation with a candidate or an agent of a candidate."

SECTION    19.    Section 8-13-1300 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 6 of 1995, is further amended by adding appropriately numbered items at the end to read:

    "( )    'Ballot measure committee' means:

        (a)    an association, club, an organization, or a group of persons which, to influence the outcome of a ballot measure, receives contributions or makes expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate during an election cycle;

        (b)    a person, other than an individual, who, to influence the outcome of a ballot measure, makes contributions aggregating at least fifty thousand dollars during an election cycle to, or at the request of, a ballot measure committee; or

        (c)    a person, other than an individual, who makes independent expenditures aggregating one thousand dollars or more during an election cycle.

    ( )    'Influence the outcome of an elective office' means:

        (a)    expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identifiable candidate using words including or substantially similar to 'vote for', 'elect', 'cast your ballot for', 'Smith for Governor', 'vote against', 'defeat', or 'reject'; or

        (b)    communicating campaign slogans or individual words that, taken in context, have no other reasonable meaning other than to urge the election or defeat of a clearly identifiable candidate including or substantially similar to slogans or words such as 'Smith's the One', 'Jones 2000', 'Smith/Jones', 'Jones!', or 'Smith-A man for the People!'; or

        (c)    any communication about a public issue made, not more than forty-five days before an election, that references a clearly identifiable candidate, that but for such reference, the communication as a whole would not convey a clear, unambiguous message concerning the public issue, and that is reasonably suggestive of primarily advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identifiable candidate."

SECTION    20.    Section 8-13-1302 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1302.    (A)    A candidate, or committee, or ballot measure committee shall must maintain and preserve an account of:

        (1)    the total of contributions accepted by the candidate, or committee, or ballot measure committee;

        (2)    the name and address of each person making a contribution and the date of receipt of each contribution;

        (3)    the total of expenditures made by or on behalf of the candidate, or committee, or ballot measure committee;

        (4)    the name and address of each person to whom an expenditure is made including the date, amount, purpose, and beneficiary of the expenditure;

        (5)    all receipted bills, canceled checks, or other proof of payment for each expenditure; and

        (6)    the occupation and employer of each person making a contribution.

    (B)    The candidate, or committee, or ballot measure committee must maintain and preserve all receipted bills and accounts required by this article for four years."

SECTION    21.    Section 8-13-1304 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1304.    (A)    A committee, except an out-of-state committee, which receives or expends more than five two hundred dollars in the aggregate during an election cycle to influence the outcome of an elective office or ballot measure must file a statement of organization with the State Ethics Commission no later than five days after receiving the contribution or making the expenditure. An out-of-state committee which expends more than five hundred dollars in the aggregate during an election cycle to influence the outcome of an elective office or a ballot measure must file a statement of organization with the State Ethics Commission no later than five days after making the expenditure.

    (B)    A ballot measure committee, except an out-of-state committee, which receives or expends more than two hundred dollars in the aggregate during an election cycle to influence the outcome of a ballot measure must file a statement of organization with the State Ethics Commission no later than five days after receiving the contribution or making the expenditure. An out-of-state ballot measure committee which expends more than one thousand dollars in the aggregate during an election cycle to influence the outcome of a ballot measure must file a statement of organization with the State Ethics Commission no later than five days after making the expenditure."

SECTION    22.    Section 8-13-1306 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1306.    (A)    The statement of organization of a committee or a ballot measure committee must include:

        (1)    the full name of the committee or ballot measure committee;

        (2)    the complete address and telephone number of the committee or ballot measure committee;

        (3)    the date the committee or ballot measure committee was organized;

        (4)    a summary of the purpose of the committee or ballot measure committee;

        (5)    the name and address of a corporation or an organization that sponsors the committee or ballot measure committee or is affiliated with the committee or ballot measure committee. If the committee or ballot measure committee is not sponsored by or affiliated with a corporation or an organization, the committee or ballot measure committee must specify the trade, profession, or primary interest of contributors to the committee or ballot measure committee;

        (6)    the full name, address, telephone number, occupation, and principal place of business of the chairman and treasurer of the committee or ballot measure committee;

        (7)    the full name, address, telephone number, occupation, and principal place of business of the custodian of the books and accounts if other than the designated officers;

        (8)    the full name and address of the depository in which the committee or ballot measure committee maintains its campaign account and the number of the account; and

        (9)    a certification of the statement by the chairman and the treasurer.

    (B)    The name of the committee or ballot measure committee designated on the statement of organization must incorporate the full name of the sponsoring entity, if any. An acronym or abbreviation may be used in other communications if the acronym or abbreviation commonly is known or clearly recognized by the general public.

    (C)    The chairman must notify the State Ethics Commission in writing of a change in information previously reported in a statement of organization no later than ten business days after the change."

SECTION    23.    Section 8-13-1308(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(A)    Upon the receipt or expenditure of campaign contributions or the making of independent expenditures totaling, in an accumulated aggregate, five hundred dollars or more, a candidate or committee required to file a statement of organization pursuant to Section 8-13-1304(A) must file an initial certified campaign report within ten days of these initial receipts or expenditures. However, a candidate or a committee that does not receive or expend campaign contributions totaling, in an accumulated aggregate, five hundred dollars or more must file an initial certified campaign report fifteen days before an election."

SECTION    24.    Section 8-13-1308 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 6 of 1995, is further amended by adding a new subsection to read:

    "(G)    Notwithstanding any other reporting requirements in this chapter, a political party, legislative caucus committee, and a party committee must file a certified campaign report upon the receipt of anything of value which totals in the aggregate twenty-five hundred dollars or more. For purposes of this section, 'anything of value' includes contributions received which may be used for the payment of operation expenses of a political party, legislative caucus committee, or a party committee. A political party must also comply with the reporting requirements of subsections (B), (C), and (F) of Section 8-13-1308 in the same manner as a candidate or committee."

SECTION    25.    The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 8-13-1309.    (A)    Upon the receipt or expenditure of campaign contributions totaling, in an accumulated aggregate, one thousand dollars or more, a ballot measure committee required to file a statement of organization pursuant to Section 8-13-1304(B) must file an initial certified campaign report within ten days of these initial receipts or expenditures.

    (B)    Following the filing of an initial certified campaign report, additional certified campaign reports must be filed within ten days following the end of each calendar quarter in which contributions are received or expenditures are made, whether before or after a ballot measure election until the campaign account undergoes final disbursement pursuant to the provisions of Section 8-13-1370(C).

    (C)    At least fifteen days before a ballot measure election, a certified campaign report must be filed showing contributions of more than one hundred dollars and expenditures to or by the ballot measure committee for the period ending twenty days before the ballot measure election. The ballot measure committee must maintain a current list during the period before the ballot measure election commencing at the beginning of the calendar quarter of the election of all contributions of more than one hundred dollars. The list must be open to public inspection upon request.

    (D)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (B) and (C), if a pre-election campaign report provided for in subsection (C) is required to be filed within thirty days of the end of the prior quarter, a ballot measure committee must combine the quarterly report provided for in subsection (B) and the pre-election report and file the combined report subject to the provisions of subsection (C) no later than fifteen days before the ballot measure election.

    (E)    Certified campaign reports detailing campaign contributions and expenditures must contain:

        (1)    the total of contributions accepted by the ballot measure committee;

        (2)    the name and address of each person making a contribution of more than one hundred dollars and the date of receipt of each contribution;

        (3)    the total expenditures made by or on behalf of the ballot measure committee; and

        (4)    the name and address of each person to whom an expenditure is made from campaign funds, including the date, amount, purpose, and beneficiary of the expenditure."

SECTION    26.    Section 8-13-1310 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 6 of 1995, is further amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1310.    (A)    All persons required to file certified campaign reports under this article must file those reports with the appropriate supervisory office.

    (B)    The Senate Ethics Committee and the House of Representatives Ethics Committee must forward a copy of each statement filed with it to the State Ethics Commission within five business days of receipt.

    (C)    Within five days of receipt, a copy of all campaign reports received by the State Ethics Commission must be forwarded to the State Election Commission and the clerk of court in the county of residence of the person required to file.

    (D)    As provided in Section 8-13-1372, the State Election Ethics Commission must review all statements forwarded to it by the State Ethics Commission for inadvertent and unintentional errors or omissions."

SECTION    27.    Section 8-13-1316 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1316.    (A)    Within an election cycle, a candidate may not accept or receive contributions from a political party through its party committees or legislative caucus committees and a political party through its party committees or legislative caucus committees may not give to a candidate contributions which total in the aggregate more than:

        (1)    fifty thousand dollars in the case of a candidate for statewide office;

        (2)    five thousand dollars in the case of a candidate for any other office.

    (B)    Party expenditures for partisan multi-candidate promotions for four or more candidates, including candidates for the United States Senate or the United States House of Representatives, where each candidate receives substantially equal treatment, both in terms of time or length discussed and prominence in presentation, shall not be included in the contribution limits under subsection (A). However, multi-candidate promotional expenditures are limited to:

        (1)    the operation of telephone banks;

        (2)    the preparation, mailing, and distribution of campaign materials including newspaper, television, and radio advertisements; or

        (3)    voter registration and ballot information.

    (C)    The recipient of a contribution given in violation of subsection (A) may not keep the contribution, but within ten days must remit the contribution to the Children's Trust Fund."

SECTION    28.    Section 8-13-1324 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1324.    (A)    A person may not make an anonymous contribution to a candidate, or committee, or ballot measure committee and a candidate, or committee, or ballot measure committee may not accept an anonymous contribution from an individual except at a ticketed event where food or beverages are served or where political merchandise is distributed and where the price of the ticket is twenty-five dollars or less and goes toward defraying the cost of food, beverages, or political merchandise in whole or in part.

    (B)    The recipient of an anonymous contribution given in violation of subsection (A) or the recipient of any other anonymous contribution may not keep the contribution but within seven days must remit the contribution to the Children's Trust Fund."

SECTION    29.    Section 8-13-1332 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1332.    It is unlawful for:

    (1)    a committee or ballot measure committee to make a contribution or expenditure by using:

        (a)    anything of value secured by physical force, job discrimination, financial reprisals, or threat of the same; or

        (b)    dues, fees, or other monies required as a condition of membership in a labor organization, or as a condition of employment; or

        (c)    monies obtained by the committee or the ballot measure committee in a commercial transaction;

    (2)    a person to solicit an employee for a contribution and fail to inform the employee of the political purposes of the committee or ballot measure committee and of the employee's right to refuse to contribute without any advantage or promise of an advantage conditioned upon making the contribution or reprisal or threat of reprisal related to the failure to make the contribution;

    (3)    a corporation or committee of a corporation to solicit contributions to the corporation or committee from a person other than its shareholders, directors, executive or administrative personnel, and their families;, except as provided in Section 8-13-1333.

    (4)    an organization or committee of an organization to solicit contributions to the organization or committee from a person other than its members and their families."

SECTION    30.    The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 8-13-1333.    (1)    Not for profit corporations and committees formed by not for profit corporations may solicit contributions from the general public;

    (2)    An organization or a committee of an organization may solicit contributions from the general public."

SECTION    31.    Section 8-13-1354 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 6 of 1995, is further amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1354.    A candidate, committee, or other person which makes an expenditure in the distribution, posting, or broadcasting of a communication to voters supporting or opposing a public official, or a candidate, or a ballot measure must place his name and address on the printed matter or have his name spoken clearly on a broadcast so as to identify accurately the person and his address. Campaign buttons, balloons, yard signs, or similar items are exempt from this requirement."

SECTION    32.    Section 8-13-1366 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1366.    Certified campaign reports must be made available for public inspection at the office of the State Ethics Commission, the State Election Commission, the Senate Ethics Committee, the House of Representatives Ethics Committee, and the county clerk of court within two business days of receipt. The commissions, ethics committees, and county clerks of court may not require any information or identification as a condition of viewing a report or reports. The commissions, ethics committees, and the county clerks of court shall ensure that the reports are available for copying or purchase at a reasonable cost."

SECTION    33.    Section 8-13-1368 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1368.    (A)    A candidate is not exempt from the campaign filing requirements as provided in this article until after an election in which the candidate is a candidate or is defeated and after the candidate no longer accepts contributions, incurs expenditures, or pays for expenditures incurred.

    (B)    Committees or ballot measure committees may dissolve only after no longer accepting contributions, incurring expenditures, or paying for expenditures incurred.

    (C)    If a committee or a ballot measure committee owes or is owed money, the committee or a ballot measure committee may dissolve but must report the status of the debt annually on the same schedule as active committees or ballot measure committees until all debts are resolved. The method of resolution to eliminate these debts, including contributions accepted and payment for expenditures incurred, must be stated on the report.

    (D)    A final report may be filed at the time or before a scheduled filing is due. The form must be marked 'final' and include a list of the material assets worth one hundred dollars or more and state their disposition."

SECTION    34.    Section 8-13-1370(C) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "(C)    A committee or ballot measure committee required to file reports under this article which has an unexpended balance of funds upon final disbursement not otherwise obligated for expenditures incurred to further the committee's or ballot measure committee's purposes must designate how the surplus funds are to be distributed. The surplus funds must be:

        (1)    contributed to the state's general fund;

        (2)    returned pro rata to all contributors;

        (3)(a)    contributed to a political party or to another committee;

            (b)    or if a ballot measure committee, to another ballot measure committee;

        (4)    contributed to an organization exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or

        (5)    distributed using a combination of these options."

SECTION    35.    Section 8-13-1372 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1372.    (A)    The State Election Ethics Commission, in its discretion, may determine that errors or omissions on campaign reports are inadvertent and unintentional and not an effort to violate a requirement of this chapter and may be handled as technical violations which are not subject to the provisions of this chapter pertaining to ethical violations. Technical violations must remain confidential unless requested to be made public by the candidate filing the report. In lieu of all other penalties, the State Election Ethics Commission may assess a technical violations penalty not to exceed fifty dollars.

    (B)    A violation, other than an inadvertent or unintentional violation, must be referred to the appropriate supervisory office for appropriate action."

SECTION    36.    Section 8-13-1510 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1510.    Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, a person required to file a report or statement under this chapter who files a late statement or report or fails to file a required statement or report must be assessed a civil penalty as follows:

    (1)    a fine of one hundred dollars if not filed within five days after the established deadline provided by law in this chapter;

    (2)    after notice has been given by certified or registered mail that a required statement or report has not been filed, a fine of ten dollars a day for each additional calendar day in which the required statement is not filed, not exceeding five hundred dollars."

SECTION    37.    Section 8-13-1520 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 248 of 1991, is amended to read:

    "Section 8-13-1520.    (A)    Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, a person who violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or be imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. A violation of the provisions of this chapter does not necessarily subject a public official to the provisions of Section 8-13-560.

    (B)    Except as otherwise specifically provided for in Article 13 of this chapter, a person who violates any provision of Article 13 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred percent of the amount of contributions or anything of value that should have been reported pursuant to Article 13 but not less than five thousand dollars or be imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

    (C)    A violation of the provisions of this chapter does not necessarily subject a public official to the provisions of Section 8-13-560."

SECTION    38.    If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or the validity of the remaining portions of this act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this act, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words thereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.

SECTION    39.    Section 8-13-1160 of the 1976 Code is repealed.

SECTION    40.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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