Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT


Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 98-502

Rep. Snyder

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

January 23, 1998

House SVMA

Scott Nachtrieb (866-4752)

 

TITLE:            CONCERNING THE "FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES ACT".



Summary of Assessment


            The bill would change the definition of a candidate so that a person would remain a candidate for an undesignated office following an election and prior to filing a candidate affidavit for a particular office as long as the candidate maintains a registered candidate committee. A candidate committee would be allowed to accept contributions following an election and prior to filing a candidate affidavit for a particular office at the next election subject to contribution limits. Contributions in excess of limits would be returned to the contributor and a candidate not seeking another office would be required to disburse remaining funds pursuant to the provisions covering unexpended campaign contributions.


              A candidate would file a statement accepting voluntary spending limits at the time of filing a candidate affidavit instead of at the time of registering a candidate committee. Officeholders would be able to use unexpended contributions for voter registration, political education, scholarships, defraying expenditures related to mailings and similar communications to constituents, and any expenses directly related to the officeholder’s official duties. The amount of unexpended campaign contributions retained by a candidate committee for use in a subsequent election cycle would be determined from the amount held by the committee on the last day of the month in which the election was held as shown on the candidate committee report filed 30 days after the election. The bill also states when a reporting period closes and specifies the dates that reports must be filed.


            The bill regulates the conduct of a candidate regarding contributions the candidate may receive. The bill does not change the number of reports filed with the Secretary of State. This would not increase or decrease revenues or expenditures to any state or local government. Therefore, this bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.


Departments Contacted


            Secretary of State