Bill Text: FL H0869 | 2010 | Regular Session | Engrossed


Bill Title: Campaign Financing [GPSC]

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 10-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-04-30 - Died on Calendar, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 131 (Ch. 2010-167) [H0869 Detail]

Download: Florida-2010-H0869-Engrossed.html
CS/CS/HB 869
1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to campaign financing; providing a short
3title; amending s. 106.143, F.S.; providing an alternative
4statement that may be used to identify a candidate as the
5sponsor of a political advertisement under certain
6circumstances; providing circumstances under which certain
7campaign messages and political advertisements are not
8required to state or display specific information
9regarding the identity of the candidate, his or her party
10affiliation, and the office sought in the message or
11advertisement; authorizing a candidate or political
12committee to place a statement on a social networking
13website or account indicating that the site or account is
14an official site or account approved by the candidate or
15political committee; prohibiting an official designation
16without the prior approval by the candidate or political
17committee; amending s. 106.011, F.S.; revising the
18definition of the term "political committee" to remove
19certain reporting requirements included in the exclusion
20of electioneering communications organizations from the
21definition; revising the definition of the term "filing
22officer" to expand applicability to electioneering
23communications organizations; revising the definition of
24the term "electioneering communication" to conform to
25certain federal requirements and to delineate what
26constitutes such a communication; revising the definition
27of the term "electioneering communications organization";
28amending s. 106.03, F.S.; revising the registration
29requirements for electioneering communications
30organizations; revising the statement of organization
31requirements; revising rule adoption requirements relating
32to dissolution of political committees and electioneering
33communications organizations; amending s. 106.0703, F.S.;
34consolidating reporting requirements in ch. 106, F.S.,
35applicable to electioneering communications organizations;
36providing penalties; conforming provisions; prohibiting
37the use of credit cards by electioneering communications
38organizations; amending s. 106.0705, F.S., relating to
39electronic filing of campaign treasurer's reports;
40conforming provisions; amending s. 106.071, F.S.;
41increasing the aggregate amount of expenditures required
42for filing certain reports related to independent
43expenditures or electioneering communications; amending s.
44106.08, F.S.; removing certain limitations on
45contributions received by an electioneering communications
46organization; amending s. 106.1439, F.S.; providing
47identification requirements for certain electioneering
48communications; providing an exception for telephone
49calls; amending s. 106.147, F.S., relating to telephone
50solicitation disclosure requirements; removing
51requirements relating to electioneering communication, to
52conform; reenacting ss. 106.011(1)(b), (3), (4), (18), and
53(19), 106.022(1), 106.03(1)(b), 106.04(5), 106.0703,
54106.0705(2)(b), 106.071(1), 106.08(7), 106.1437, 106.1439,
55and 106.17, F.S., relating to definitions, registered
56office and agent requirements, registration requirements,
57prohibited activities for committees of continuous
58existence, additional reporting requirements, electronic
59filing requirements, expenditure reports, penalties for
60violations pertaining to limitations on contributions,
61miscellaneous advertisements, electioneering
62communications disclaimers and penalties for failure to
63include disclaimers, and polls and surveys pertaining to
64candidacies, to cure and conform; providing an effective
65date.
66
67Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
68
69 Section 1. Section 2 of this act may be cited as the
70"Technology in Elections Act."
71 Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 106.143, Florida
72Statutes, is amended, present subsection (8) of that section is
73renumbered as subsection (9), and a new subsection (8) is added
74to that section, to read:
75 106.143 Political advertisements circulated prior to
76election; requirements.-
77 (1)(a) Any political advertisement that is paid for by a
78candidate and that is published, displayed, or circulated prior
79to, or on the day of, any election must prominently state:
80 1. "Political advertisement paid for and approved by
81...(name of candidate)..., ...(party affiliation)..., for
82...(office sought)...."; or
83 2. "Paid by ...(name of candidate)..., ...(party
84affiliation)..., for ...(office sought)...."
85 (b) Any other political advertisement published,
86displayed, or circulated prior to, or on the day of, any
87election must prominently:
88 1. Be marked "paid political advertisement" or with the
89abbreviation "pd. pol. adv."
90 2. State the name and address of the persons sponsoring
91the advertisement.
92 3.a.(I) State whether the advertisement and the cost of
93production is paid for or provided in kind by or at the expense
94of the entity publishing, displaying, broadcasting, or
95circulating the political advertisement; or
96 (II) State who provided or paid for the advertisement and
97cost of production, if different from the source of sponsorship.
98 b. This subparagraph does not apply if the source of the
99sponsorship is patently clear from the content or format of the
100political advertisement.
101 (c) Any political advertisement made pursuant to s.
102106.021(3)(d) must be marked "paid political advertisement" or
103with the abbreviation "pd. pol. adv." and must prominently
104state, "Paid for and sponsored by ...(name of person paying for
105political advertisement).... Approved by ...(names of persons,
106party affiliation, and offices sought in the political
107advertisement)...."
108
109This subsection does not apply to campaign messages used by a
110candidate and the candidate's supporters if those messages are
111designed to be worn by a person.
112 (8) This section does not apply to any campaign message or
113political advertisement used by a candidate and the candidate's
114supporters or by a political committee if the message or
115advertisement is:
116 (a) Designed to be worn by a person.
117 (b) Placed as a paid link on an Internet website, provided
118the message or advertisement is no more than 200 characters in
119length and the link directs the user to another Internet website
120that complies with subsection (1).
121 (c) Placed as a graphic or picture link where compliance
122with the requirements of this section is not reasonably
123practical due to the size of the graphic or picture link and the
124link directs the user to another Internet website that complies
125with subsection (1).
126 (d) Placed at no cost on an Internet website for which
127there is no cost to post content for public users.
128 (e) Placed or distributed on an unpaid profile or account
129which is available to the public without charge or on a social
130networking Internet website, as long as the source of the
131message or advertisement is patently clear from the content or
132format of the message or advertisement. A candidate or political
133committee may prominently display a statement indicating that
134the website or account is an official website or account of the
135candidate or political committee and is approved by the
136candidate or political committee. A website or account may not
137be marked as official without prior approval by the candidate or
138political committee.
139 (f) Distributed as a text message or other message via
140Short Message Service, provided the message is no more than 200
141characters in length or requires the recipient to sign up or opt
142in to receive it.
143 (g) Connected with or included in any software application
144or accompanying function, provided that the user signs up, opts
145in, downloads, or otherwise accesses the application from or
146through a website that complies with subsection (1).
147 (h) Sent by a third-party user from or through a campaign
148or committee's website, provided the website complies with
149subsection (1).
150 (i) Contained in or distributed through any other
151technology-related item, service, or device for which compliance
152with subsection (1) is not reasonably practical due to the size
153or nature of such item, service, or device as available, or the
154means of displaying the message or advertisement makes
155compliance with subsection (1) impracticable.
156 (9)(8) Any person who willfully violates any provision of
157this section is subject to the civil penalties prescribed in s.
158106.265.
159 Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
160106.011, Florida Statutes, is reenacted and amended, subsections
161(3) and (4) of that section are reenacted, subsection (14) of
162that section is amended, and subsections (18) and (19) of that
163section are reenacted and amended, to read:
164 106.011 Definitions.-As used in this chapter, the
165following terms have the following meanings unless the context
166clearly indicates otherwise:
167 (1)
168 (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the following entities
169are not considered political committees for purposes of this
170chapter:
171 1. Organizations which are certified by the Department of
172State as committees of continuous existence pursuant to s.
173106.04, national political parties, and the state and county
174executive committees of political parties regulated by chapter
175103.
176 2. Corporations regulated by chapter 607 or chapter 617 or
177other business entities formed for purposes other than to
178support or oppose issues or candidates, if their political
179activities are limited to contributions to candidates, political
180parties, or political committees or expenditures in support of
181or opposition to an issue from corporate or business funds and
182if no contributions are received by such corporations or
183business entities.
184 3. Electioneering communications organizations as defined
185in subsection (19); however, such organizations shall be
186required to register with and report expenditures and
187contributions, including contributions received from committees
188of continuous existence, to the Division of Elections in the
189same manner, at the same time, and subject to the same penalties
190as a political committee supporting or opposing an issue or a
191legislative candidate, except as otherwise specifically provided
192in this chapter.
193 (3) "Contribution" means:
194 (a) A gift, subscription, conveyance, deposit, loan,
195payment, or distribution of money or anything of value,
196including contributions in kind having an attributable monetary
197value in any form, made for the purpose of influencing the
198results of an election or making an electioneering
199communication.
200 (b) A transfer of funds between political committees,
201between committees of continuous existence, between
202electioneering communications organizations, or between any
203combination of these groups.
204 (c) The payment, by any person other than a candidate or
205political committee, of compensation for the personal services
206of another person which are rendered to a candidate or political
207committee without charge to the candidate or committee for such
208services.
209 (d) The transfer of funds by a campaign treasurer or
210deputy campaign treasurer between a primary depository and a
211separate interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit, and
212the term includes any interest earned on such account or
213certificate.
214
215Notwithstanding the foregoing meanings of "contribution," the
216word shall not be construed to include services, including, but
217not limited to, legal and accounting services, provided without
218compensation by individuals volunteering a portion or all of
219their time on behalf of a candidate or political committee. This
220definition shall not be construed to include editorial
221endorsements.
222 (4)(a) "Expenditure" means a purchase, payment,
223distribution, loan, advance, transfer of funds by a campaign
224treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer between a primary
225depository and a separate interest-bearing account or
226certificate of deposit, or gift of money or anything of value
227made for the purpose of influencing the results of an election
228or making an electioneering communication. However,
229"expenditure" does not include a purchase, payment,
230distribution, loan, advance, or gift of money or anything of
231value made for the purpose of influencing the results of an
232election when made by an organization, in existence prior to the
233time during which a candidate qualifies or an issue is placed on
234the ballot for that election, for the purpose of printing or
235distributing such organization's newsletter, containing a
236statement by such organization in support of or opposition to a
237candidate or issue, which newsletter is distributed only to
238members of such organization.
239 (b) As used in this chapter, an "expenditure" for an
240electioneering communication is made when the earliest of the
241following occurs:
242 1. A person enters into a contract for applicable goods or
243services;
244 2. A person makes payment, in whole or in part, for the
245production or public dissemination of applicable goods or
246services; or
247 3. The electioneering communication is publicly
248disseminated.
249 (14) "Filing officer" means the person before whom a
250candidate qualifies, the agency or officer with whom a political
251committee or an electioneering communications organization
252registers, or the agency by whom a committee of continuous
253existence is certified.
254 (18)(a) "Electioneering communication" means any
255communication publicly distributed by a television station,
256radio station, cable television system, satellite system,
257newspaper, magazine, direct mail, or telephone a paid expression
258in any communications media prescribed in subsection (13) by
259means other than the spoken word in direct conversation that:
260 1. Refers to or depicts a clearly identified candidate for
261office or contains a clear reference indicating that an issue is
262to be voted on at an election, without expressly advocating the
263election or defeat of a candidate but that is susceptible of no
264reasonable interpretation other than an appeal to vote for or
265against a specific candidate; or the passage or defeat of an
266issue.
267 2. Is made within 30 days before a primary or special
268primary election or 60 days before any other election for the
269office sought by the candidate; and
270 3. Is For communications referring to or depicting a
271clearly identified candidate for office, is targeted to the
272relevant electorate. A communication is considered targeted if
2731,000 or more persons in the geographic area the candidate would
274represent if elected will receive the communication.
275 3. For communications containing a clear reference
276indicating that an issue is to be voted on at an election, is
277published after the issue is designated a ballot position or 120
278days before the date of the election on the issue, whichever
279occurs first.
280 (b) The term "electioneering communication" does not
281include:
282 1. A communication disseminated through a means of
283communication other than a television station, radio station,
284cable television system, satellite system, newspaper, magazine,
285direct mail, telephone, or statement or depiction by an
286organization, in existence prior to the time during which a
287candidate named or depicted qualifies or an issue identified is
288placed on the ballot for that election, made in that
289organization's newsletter, which newsletter is distributed only
290to members of that organization.
291 2. A communication in a news story, commentary, or
292editorial distributed through the facilities of any radio
293station, television station, cable television system, or
294satellite system, unless the facilities are owned or controlled
295by any political party, political committee, or candidate. A
296news story distributed through the facilities owned or
297controlled by any political party, political committee, or
298candidate may nevertheless be exempt if it represents a bona
299fide news account communicated through a licensed broadcasting
300facility and the communication is part of a general pattern of
301campaign-related news accounts that give reasonably equal
302coverage to all opposing candidates in the area An editorial
303endorsement, news story, commentary, or editorial by any
304newspaper, radio, television station, or other recognized news
305medium.
306 3. A communication that constitutes a public debate or
307forum that includes at least two opposing candidates for an
308office or one advocate and one opponent of an issue, or that
309solely promotes such a debate or forum and is made by or on
310behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum, provided
311that:
312 a. The staging organization is either:
313 (I) A charitable organization that does not make other
314electioneering communications and does not otherwise support or
315oppose any political candidate or political party; or
316 (II) A newspaper, radio station, television station, or
317other recognized news medium; and
318 b. The staging organization does not structure the debate
319to promote or advance one candidate or issue position over
320another.
321 (c) For purposes of this chapter, an expenditure made for,
322or in furtherance of, an electioneering communication shall not
323be considered a contribution to or on behalf of any candidate.
324 (d) For purposes of this chapter, an electioneering
325communication shall not constitute an independent expenditure
326nor be subject to the limitations applicable to independent
327expenditures.
328 (19) "Electioneering communications organization" means
329any group, other than a political party, political committee, or
330committee of continuous existence, whose election-related
331activities are limited to making expenditures for electioneering
332communications or accepting contributions for the purpose of
333making electioneering communications and whose activities would
334not otherwise require the group to register as a political
335party, political committee, or committee of continuous existence
336under this chapter.
337 Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 106.022, Florida
338Statutes, is reenacted to read:
339 106.022 Appointment of a registered agent; duties.-
340 (1) Each political committee, committee of continuous
341existence, or electioneering communications organization shall
342have and continuously maintain in this state a registered office
343and a registered agent and must file with the division a
344statement of appointment for the registered office and
345registered agent. The statement of appointment must:
346 (a) Provide the name of the registered agent and the
347street address and phone number for the registered office;
348 (b) Identify the entity for whom the registered agent
349serves;
350 (c) Designate the address the registered agent wishes to
351use to receive mail;
352 (d) Include the entity's undertaking to inform the
353division of any change in such designated address;
354 (e) Provide for the registered agent's acceptance of the
355appointment, which must confirm that the registered agent is
356familiar with and accepts the obligations of the position as set
357forth in this section; and
358 (f) Contain the signature of the registered agent and the
359entity engaging the registered agent.
360 Section 5. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
361106.03, Florida Statutes, is reenacted and amended, and
362subsections (2), (4), and (7) of that section are amended, to
363read:
364 106.03 Registration of political committees and
365electioneering communications organizations.-
366 (1)
367 (b)1. Each electioneering communications organization that
368receives anticipates receiving contributions or makes making
369expenditures during a calendar year in an aggregate amount
370exceeding $5,000 shall file a statement of organization as
371provided in subparagraph 2. subsection (3) by expedited delivery
372within 24 hours after its organization or, if later, within 24
373hours after the date on which it receives has information that
374causes the organization to anticipate that it will receive
375contributions or makes make expenditures for an electioneering
376communication in excess of $5,000.
377 2.a. In a statewide, legislative, or multicounty election,
378an electioneering communications organization shall file a
379statement of organization with the Division of Elections.
380 b. In a countywide election or any election held on less
381than a countywide basis, except as described in sub-subparagraph
382c., an electioneering communications organization shall file a
383statement of organization with the supervisor of elections of
384the county in which the election is being held.
385 c. In a municipal election, an electioneering
386communications organization shall file a statement of
387organization with the officer before whom municipal candidates
388qualify.
389 d. Any electioneering communications organization that
390would be required to file a statement of organization in two or
391more locations by reason of the organization's intention to
392support or oppose candidates at state or multicounty and local
393levels of government need only file a statement of organization
394with the Division of Elections.
395 (2) The statement of organization shall include:
396 (a) The name, mailing address, and street address of the
397committee or electioneering communications organization;
398 (b) The names, street addresses, and relationships of
399affiliated or connected organizations;
400 (c) The area, scope, or jurisdiction of the committee or
401electioneering communications organization;
402 (d) The name, mailing address, street address, and
403position of the custodian of books and accounts;
404 (e) The name, mailing address, street address, and
405position of other principal officers, including the treasurer
406and deputy treasurer including officers and members of the
407finance committee, if any;
408 (f) The name, address, office sought, and party
409affiliation of:
410 1. Each candidate whom the committee is supporting;
411 2. Any other individual, if any, whom the committee is
412supporting for nomination for election, or election, to any
413public office whatever;
414 (g) Any issue or issues the committee such organization is
415supporting or opposing;
416 (h) If the committee is supporting the entire ticket of
417any party, a statement to that effect and the name of the party;
418 (i) A statement of whether the committee is a continuing
419one;
420 (j) Plans for the disposition of residual funds which will
421be made in the event of dissolution;
422 (k) A listing of all banks, safe-deposit boxes, or other
423depositories used for committee or electioneering communications
424organization funds; and
425 (l) A statement of the reports required to be filed by the
426committee or the electioneering communications organization with
427federal officials, if any, and the names, addresses, and
428positions of such officials; and
429 (m) A statement of whether the electioneering
430communications organization was formed as a newly created
431organization during the current calendar quarter or was formed
432from an organization existing prior to the current calendar
433quarter. For purposes of this subsection, calendar quarters end
434the last day of March, June, September, and December.
435 (4) Any change in information previously submitted in a
436statement of organization shall be reported to the agency or
437officer with whom such committee or electioneering
438communications organization is required to register pursuant to
439subsection (3), within 10 days following the change.
440 (7) The Division of Elections shall adopt promulgate rules
441to prescribe the manner in which inactive committees and
442electioneering communications organizations may be dissolved and
443have their registration canceled. Such rules shall, at a
444minimum, provide for:
445 (a) Notice which shall contain the facts and conduct which
446warrant the intended action, including but not limited to
447failure to file reports and limited activity.
448 (b) Adequate opportunity to respond.
449 (c) Appeal of the decision to the Florida Elections
450Commission. Such appeals shall be exempt from the
451confidentiality provisions of s. 106.25.
452 Section 6. Subsection (5) of section 106.04, Florida
453Statutes, is reenacted to read:
454 106.04 Committees of continuous existence.-
455 (5) No committee of continuous existence shall make an
456electioneering communication, contribute to any candidate or
457political committee an amount in excess of the limits contained
458in s. 106.08(1), or participate in any activity which is
459prohibited by this chapter. If any violation occurs, it shall be
460punishable as provided in this chapter for the given offense. No
461funds of a committee of continuous existence shall be expended
462on behalf of a candidate, except by means of a contribution made
463through the duly appointed campaign treasurer of a candidate. No
464such committee shall make expenditures in support of, or in
465opposition to, an issue unless such committee first registers as
466a political committee pursuant to this chapter and undertakes
467all the practices and procedures required thereof; provided such
468committee may make contributions in a total amount not to exceed
46925 percent of its aggregate income, as reflected in the annual
470report filed for the previous year, to one or more political
471committees registered pursuant to s. 106.03 and formed to
472support or oppose issues.
473 Section 7. Section 106.0703, Florida Statutes, is
474reenacted and amended to read:
475 106.0703 Electioneering communications organizations;
476additional reporting requirements; certification and filing;
477penalties.-
478 (1)(a) Each electioneering communications organization
479shall file regular reports of all contributions received and all
480expenditures made by or on behalf of the organization. Reports
481shall be filed on the 10th day following the end of each
482calendar quarter from the time the organization is registered.
483However, if the 10th day following the end of a calendar quarter
484occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the report shall
485be filed on the next following day that is not a Saturday,
486Sunday, or legal holiday. Quarterly reports shall include all
487contributions received and expenditures made during the calendar
488quarter that have not otherwise been reported pursuant to this
489section.
490 (b) Following the last day of candidates qualifying for
491office, the reports shall be filed on the 32nd, 18th, and 4th
492days immediately preceding the primary election and on the 46th,
49332nd, 18th, and 4th days immediately preceding the general
494election.
495 (c) When a special election is called to fill a vacancy in
496office, all electioneering communications organizations making
497contributions or expenditures to influence the results of the
498special election shall file reports with the filing officer on
499the dates set by the Department of State pursuant to s. 100.111.
500 (d) In addition to the reports required by paragraph (a),
501an electioneering communications organization that is registered
502with the Department of State and that makes a contribution or
503expenditure to influence the results of a county or municipal
504election that is not being held at the same time as a state or
505federal election must file reports with the county or municipal
506filing officer on the same dates as county or municipal
507candidates or committees for that election. The electioneering
508communications organization must also include the expenditure in
509the next report filed with the Division of Elections pursuant to
510this section following the county or municipal election.
511 (e) The filing officer shall make available to each
512electioneering communications organization a schedule
513designating the beginning and end of reporting periods as well
514as the corresponding designated due dates.
515 (2)(a) Except as provided in s. 106.0705, the reports
516required of an electioneering communications organization shall
517be filed with the filing officer not later than 5 p.m. of the
518day designated. However, any report postmarked by the United
519States Postal Service no later than midnight of the day
520designated shall be deemed to have been filed in a timely
521manner. Any report received by the filing officer within 5 days
522after the designated due date that was delivered by the United
523States Postal Service shall be deemed timely filed unless it has
524a postmark that indicates that the report was mailed after the
525designated due date. A certificate of mailing obtained from and
526dated by the United States Postal Service at the time of
527mailing, or a receipt from an established courier company, which
528bears a date on or before the date on which the report is due,
529shall be proof of mailing in a timely manner. Reports shall
530contain information of all previously unreported contributions
531received and expenditures made as of the preceding Friday,
532except that the report filed on the Friday immediately preceding
533the election shall contain information of all previously
534unreported contributions received and expenditures made as of
535the day preceding the designated due date. All such reports
536shall be open to public inspection.
537 (b)1. Any report that is deemed to be incomplete by the
538officer with whom the electioneering communications organization
539files shall be accepted on a conditional basis. The treasurer of
540the electioneering communications organization shall be
541notified, by certified mail or other common carrier that can
542establish proof of delivery for the notice, as to why the report
543is incomplete. Within 7 days after receipt of such notice, the
544treasurer must file an addendum to the report providing all
545information necessary to complete the report in compliance with
546this section. Failure to file a complete report after such
547notice constitutes a violation of this chapter.
548 2. Notice is deemed sufficient upon proof of delivery of
549written notice to the mailing or street address of the treasurer
550or registered agent of the electioneering communication
551organization on record with the filing officer.
552 (3)(a) Each report required by this section must contain:
553 1. The full name, address, and occupation, if any, of each
554person who has made one or more contributions to or for such
555electioneering communications organization within the reporting
556period, together with the amount and date of such contributions.
557For corporations, the report must provide as clear a description
558as practicable of the principal type of business conducted by
559the corporation. However, if the contribution is $100 or less,
560the occupation of the contributor or the principal type of
561business need not be listed.
562 2. The name and address of each political committee from
563which or to which the reporting electioneering communications
564organization made any transfer of funds, together with the
565amounts and dates of all transfers.
566 3. Each loan for electioneering communication purposes to
567or from any person or political committee within the reporting
568period, together with the full names, addresses, and occupations
569and principal places of business, if any, of the lender and
570endorsers, if any, and the date and amount of such loans.
571 4. A statement of each contribution, rebate, refund, or
572other receipt not otherwise listed under subparagraphs 1.-3.
573 5. The total sums of all loans, in-kind contributions, and
574other receipts by or for such electioneering communications
575organization during the reporting period. The reporting forms
576shall be designed to elicit separate totals for in-kind
577contributions, loans, and other receipts.
578 6. The full name and address of each person to whom
579expenditures have been made by or on behalf of the
580electioneering communications organization within the reporting
581period and the amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure.
582 7. The full name and address of each person to whom an
583expenditure for personal services, salary, or reimbursement for
584expenses has been made and that is not otherwise reported,
585including the amount, date, and purpose of the expenditure.
586 8. The total sum of expenditures made by the
587electioneering communications organization during the reporting
588period.
589 9. The amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by
590or to the electioneering communications organization that relate
591to the conduct of any electioneering communication.
592 10. The amount and nature of any separate interest-bearing
593accounts or certificates of deposit and identification of the
594financial institution in which such accounts or certificates of
595deposit are located.
596 11. The primary purposes of an expenditure made indirectly
597through an electioneering communications organization for goods
598and services, such as communications media placement or
599procurement services and other expenditures that include
600multiple components as part of the expenditure. The primary
601purpose of an expenditure shall be that purpose, including
602integral and directly related components, that comprises 80
603percent of such expenditure.
604 (b) The filing officer shall make available to any
605electioneering communications organization a reporting form
606which the electioneering communications organization may use to
607indicate contributions received by the electioneering
608communications organization but returned to the contributor
609before deposit.
610 (4) The treasurer of the electioneering communications
611organization shall certify as to the correctness of each report,
612and each person so certifying shall bear the responsibility for
613the accuracy and veracity of each report. Any treasurer who
614willfully certifies the correctness of any report while knowing
615that such report is incorrect, false, or incomplete commits a
616misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
617775.082 or s. 775.083.
618 (5) The electioneering communications organization
619depository shall provide statements reflecting deposits and
620expenditures from the account to the treasurer, who shall retain
621the records pursuant to s. 106.06. The records maintained by the
622depository with respect to the account shall be subject to
623inspection by an agent of the Division of Elections or the
624Florida Elections Commission at any time during normal banking
625hours, and such depository shall furnish certified copies of any
626such records to the Division of Elections or the Florida
627Elections Commission upon request.
628 (6) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter,
629in any reporting period during which an electioneering
630communications organization has not received funds, made any
631contributions, or expended any reportable funds, the treasurer
632shall file a written report with the filing officer by the
633prescribed reporting date that no reportable contributions or
634expenditures were made during the reporting period.
635 (7)(a) Any electioneering communications organization
636failing to file a report on the designated due date shall be
637subject to a fine as provided in paragraph (b) for each late
638day. The fine shall be assessed by the filing officer and the
639moneys collected shall be deposited:
640 1. In the General Revenue Fund, in the case of an
641electioneering communications organization that registers with
642the Division of Elections; or
643 2. In the general revenue fund of the political
644subdivision, in the case of an electioneering communications
645organization that registers with an officer of a political
646subdivision.
647
648No separate fine shall be assessed for failure to file a copy of
649any report required by this section.
650 (b) Upon determining that a report is late, the filing
651officer shall immediately notify the electioneering
652communications organization as to the failure to file a report
653by the designated due date and that a fine is being assessed for
654each late day. The fine shall be $50 per day for the first 3
655days late and, thereafter, $500 per day for each late day, not
656to exceed 25 percent of the total receipts or expenditures,
657whichever is greater, for the period covered by the late report.
658However, for the reports immediately preceding each primary and
659general election, the fine shall be $500 per day for each late
660day, not to exceed 25 percent of the total receipts or
661expenditures, whichever is greater, for the period covered by
662the late report. Upon receipt of the report, the filing officer
663shall determine the amount of the fine which is due and shall
664notify the electioneering communications organization. The
665filing officer shall determine the amount of the fine due based
666upon the earliest of the following:
667 1. When the report is actually received by such officer.
668 2. When the report is postmarked.
669 3. When the certificate of mailing is dated.
670 4. When the receipt from an established courier company is
671dated.
672 5. When the electronic receipt issued pursuant to s.
673106.0705 or other electronic filing system authorized in this
674section is dated.
675
676Such fine shall be paid to the filing officer within 20 days
677after receipt of the notice of payment due, unless appeal is
678made to the Florida Elections Commission pursuant to paragraph
679(c). Notice is deemed sufficient upon proof of delivery of
680written notice to the mailing or street address on record with
681the filing officer. An officer or member of an electioneering
682communications organization shall not be personally liable for
683such fine.
684 (c) The treasurer of an electioneering communications
685organization may appeal or dispute the fine, based upon, but not
686limited to, unusual circumstances surrounding the failure to
687file on the designated due date, and may request and shall be
688entitled to a hearing before the Florida Elections Commission,
689which shall have the authority to waive the fine in whole or in
690part. The Florida Elections Commission must consider the
691mitigating and aggravating circumstances contained in s.
692106.265(1) when determining the amount of a fine, if any, to be
693waived. Any such request shall be made within 20 days after
694receipt of the notice of payment due. In such case, the
695treasurer of the electioneering communications organization
696shall, within the 20-day period, notify the filing officer in
697writing of his or her intention to bring the matter before the
698commission.
699 (d) The appropriate filing officer shall notify the
700Florida Elections Commission of the repeated late filing by an
701electioneering communications organization, the failure of an
702electioneering communications organization to file a report
703after notice, or the failure to pay the fine imposed. The
704commission shall investigate only those alleged late filing
705violations specifically identified by the filing officer and as
706set forth in the notification. Any other alleged violations must
707be stated separately and reported by the division to the
708commission under s. 106.25(2).
709 (8) In addition to the reporting requirements in s.
710106.07, An electioneering communications organization shall,
711within 2 days after receiving its initial password or secure
712sign-on from the Department of State allowing confidential
713access to the department's electronic campaign finance filing
714system, electronically file the periodic campaign finance
715reports that would have been required pursuant to this section
716s. 106.07 for reportable activities that occurred since the date
717of the last general election.
718 (9) Electioneering communications organizations shall not
719use credit cards.
720 Section 8. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
721106.0705, Florida Statutes, is reenacted, and subsections (3)
722and (4) of that section are amended, to read:
723 106.0705 Electronic filing of campaign treasurer's
724reports.-
725 (2)
726 (b) Each political committee, committee of continuous
727existence, electioneering communications organization, or state
728executive committee that is required to file reports with the
729division under s. 106.04, s. 106.07, s. 106.0703, or s. 106.29,
730as applicable, must file such reports with the division by means
731of the division's electronic filing system.
732 (3) Reports filed pursuant to this section shall be
733completed and filed through the electronic filing system not
734later than midnight of the day designated. Reports not filed by
735midnight of the day designated are late filed and are subject to
736the penalties under s. 106.04(8), s. 106.07(8), s. 106.0703(7),
737or s. 106.29(3), as applicable.
738 (4) Each report filed pursuant to this section is
739considered to be under oath by the candidate and treasurer, or
740the chair and treasurer, or the treasurer under s. 106.0703,
741whichever is applicable, and such persons are subject to the
742provisions of s. 106.04(4)(d), s. 106.07(5), s. 106.0703(4), or
743s. 106.29(2), as applicable. Persons given a secure sign-on to
744the electronic filing system are responsible for protecting such
745from disclosure and are responsible for all filings using such
746credentials, unless they have notified the division that their
747credentials have been compromised.
748 Section 9. Subsection (1) of section 106.071, Florida
749Statutes, is reenacted and amended to read:
750 106.071 Independent expenditures; electioneering
751communications; reports; disclaimers.-
752 (1) Each person who makes an independent expenditure with
753respect to any candidate or issue, and each individual who makes
754an expenditure for an electioneering communication which is not
755otherwise reported pursuant to this chapter, which expenditure,
756in the aggregate, is in the amount of $5,000 $100 or more, shall
757file periodic reports of such expenditures in the same manner,
758at the same time, subject to the same penalties, and with the
759same officer as a political committee supporting or opposing
760such candidate or issue. The report shall contain the full name
761and address of the person making the expenditure; the full name
762and address of each person to whom and for whom each such
763expenditure has been made; the amount, date, and purpose of each
764such expenditure; a description of the services or goods
765obtained by each such expenditure; the issue to which the
766expenditure relates; and the name and address of, and office
767sought by, each candidate on whose behalf such expenditure was
768made.
769 Section 10. Subsections (4) and (5) of section 106.08,
770Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (7) of that
771section is reenacted, to read:
772 106.08 Contributions; limitations on.-
773 (4)(a) Any contribution received by the chair, campaign
774treasurer, or deputy campaign treasurer of a political committee
775supporting or opposing a candidate with opposition in an
776election or supporting or opposing an issue on the ballot in an
777election on the day of that election or less than 5 days prior
778to the day of that election may not be obligated or expended by
779the committee until after the date of the election.
780 (b) Any contribution received by an electioneering
781communications organization on the day of an election or less
782than 5 days prior to the day of that election may not be
783obligated or expended by the organization until after the date
784of the election and may not be expended to pay for any
785obligation arising prior to the election.
786 (5)(a) A person may not make any contribution through or
787in the name of another, directly or indirectly, in any election.
788 (b) Candidates, political committees, and political
789parties may not solicit contributions from any religious,
790charitable, civic, or other causes or organizations established
791primarily for the public good.
792 (c) Candidates, political committees, and political
793parties may not make contributions, in exchange for political
794support, to any religious, charitable, civic, or other cause or
795organization established primarily for the public good. It is
796not a violation of this paragraph for:
797 1. A candidate, political committee, or political party
798executive committee to make gifts of money in lieu of flowers in
799memory of a deceased person;
800 2. A candidate to continue membership in, or make regular
801donations from personal or business funds to, religious,
802political party, civic, or charitable groups of which the
803candidate is a member or to which the candidate has been a
804regular donor for more than 6 months; or
805 3. A candidate to purchase, with campaign funds, tickets,
806admission to events, or advertisements from religious, civic,
807political party, or charitable groups.
808 (d) An electioneering communications organization may not
809accept a contribution from an organization exempt from taxation
810under s. 527 or s. 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, other
811than a political committee, committee of continuous existence,
812or political party, unless the contributing organization has
813registered as if the organization were an electioneering
814communications organization pursuant to s. 106.03 and has filed
815all campaign finance reports required of electioneering
816communications organizations pursuant to ss. 106.07 and
817106.0703.
818 (7)(a) Any person who knowingly and willfully makes or
819accepts no more than one contribution in violation of subsection
820(1) or subsection (5), or any person who knowingly and willfully
821fails or refuses to return any contribution as required in
822subsection (3), commits a misdemeanor of the first degree,
823punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. If any
824corporation, partnership, or other business entity or any
825political party, political committee, committee of continuous
826existence, or electioneering communications organization is
827convicted of knowingly and willfully violating any provision
828punishable under this paragraph, it shall be fined not less than
829$1,000 and not more than $10,000. If it is a domestic entity, it
830may be ordered dissolved by a court of competent jurisdiction;
831if it is a foreign or nonresident business entity, its right to
832do business in this state may be forfeited. Any officer,
833partner, agent, attorney, or other representative of a
834corporation, partnership, or other business entity, or of a
835political party, political committee, committee of continuous
836existence, electioneering communications organization, or
837organization exempt from taxation under s. 527 or s. 501(c)(4)
838of the Internal Revenue Code, who aids, abets, advises, or
839participates in a violation of any provision punishable under
840this paragraph commits a misdemeanor of the first degree,
841punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
842 (b) Any person who knowingly and willfully makes or
843accepts two or more contributions in violation of subsection (1)
844or subsection (5) commits a felony of the third degree,
845punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
846If any corporation, partnership, or other business entity or any
847political party, political committee, committee of continuous
848existence, or electioneering communications organization is
849convicted of knowingly and willfully violating any provision
850punishable under this paragraph, it shall be fined not less than
851$10,000 and not more than $50,000. If it is a domestic entity,
852it may be ordered dissolved by a court of competent
853jurisdiction; if it is a foreign or nonresident business entity,
854its right to do business in this state may be forfeited. Any
855officer, partner, agent, attorney, or other representative of a
856corporation, partnership, or other business entity, or of a
857political committee, committee of continuous existence,
858political party, or electioneering communications organization,
859or organization exempt from taxation under s. 527 or s.
860501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, who aids, abets,
861advises, or participates in a violation of any provision
862punishable under this paragraph commits a felony of the third
863degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s.
864775.084.
865 Section 11. Section 106.1437, Florida Statutes, is
866reenacted to read:
867 106.1437 Miscellaneous advertisements.-Any advertisement,
868other than a political advertisement, independent expenditure,
869or electioneering communication, on billboards, bumper stickers,
870radio, or television, or in a newspaper, a magazine, or a
871periodical, intended to influence public policy or the vote of a
872public official, shall clearly designate the sponsor of such
873advertisement by including a clearly readable statement of
874sponsorship. If the advertisement is broadcast on television,
875the advertisement shall also contain a verbal statement of
876sponsorship. This section shall not apply to an editorial
877endorsement.
878 Section 12. Section 106.1439, Florida Statutes, is
879reenacted and amended to read:
880 106.1439 Electioneering communications; disclaimers.-
881 (1) Any electioneering communication, other than a
882telephone call, shall prominently state: "Paid electioneering
883communication paid for by ...(Name and address of person paying
884for the communication)...."
885 (2) Any electioneering communication telephone call shall
886identify the persons or organizations sponsoring the call by
887stating either: "Paid for by ...(insert name of persons or
888organizations sponsoring the call)...." or "Paid for on behalf
889of ...(insert name of persons or organizations authorizing
890call)...." This subsection does not apply to any telephone call
891in which the individual making the call is not being paid and
892the individuals participating in the call know each other prior
893to the call.
894 (3)(2) Any person who fails to include the disclaimer
895prescribed in this section in any electioneering communication
896that is required to contain such disclaimer commits a
897misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
898775.082 or s. 775.083.
899 Section 13. Paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (1) of
900section 106.147, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
901 106.147 Telephone solicitation; disclosure requirements;
902prohibitions; exemptions; penalties.-
903 (1)(a) Any electioneering communication telephone call or
904any telephone call supporting or opposing a candidate, elected
905public official, or ballot proposal must identify the persons or
906organizations sponsoring the call by stating either: "paid for
907by _____" (insert name of persons or organizations sponsoring
908the call) or "paid for on behalf of _____" (insert name of
909persons or organizations authorizing call). This paragraph does
910not apply to any telephone call in which both the individual
911making the call is not being paid and the individuals
912participating in the call know each other prior to the call.
913 (e) Any electioneering communication paid for with public
914funds must include a disclaimer containing the words "paid for
915by ...(Name of the government entity paying for the
916communication)...."
917 Section 14. Section 106.17, Florida Statutes, is reenacted
918to read:
919 106.17 Polls and surveys relating to candidacies.-Any
920candidate, political committee, committee of continuous
921existence, electioneering communication organization, or state
922or county executive committee of a political party may authorize
923or conduct a political poll, survey, index, or measurement of
924any kind relating to candidacy for public office so long as the
925candidate, political committee, committee of continuous
926existence, electioneering communication organization, or
927political party maintains complete jurisdiction over the poll in
928all its aspects.
929 Section 15. This act shall take effect upon becoming a
930law.
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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