Bill Text: IA HF101 | 2017-2018 | 87th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: A bill for an act relating to campaign finance by establishing a voter-owned Iowa clean elections Act and fund, providing for funding from specified sources, including an income tax checkoff, providing an income tax exemption for contributions made to the fund, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-01-24 - Introduced, referred to State Government. H.J. 114. [HF101 Detail]
Download: Iowa-2017-HF101-Introduced.html
House File 101 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY HUNTER A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to campaign finance by establishing a 2 voter=owned Iowa clean elections Act and fund, providing 3 for funding from specified sources, including an income 4 tax checkoff, providing an income tax exemption for 5 contributions made to the fund, providing penalties, and 6 including effective date provisions. 7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: TLSB 1841YH (2) 87 aw/sc PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 68A.603, Code 2017, is amended to read 1 2 as follows: 1 3 68A.603 Rules promulgated. 1 4 The ethics and campaign disclosure board shall administer 1 5 the provisions of sections 68A.601through 68A.609, 68A.602, 1 6 and 68A.604 through 68A.610 and shall promulgate all necessary 1 7 rules in accordance with chapter 17A. 1 8 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 68A.610 Checkoff ==== income tax ==== 1 9 voter=owned Iowa clean elections. 1 10 A person whose state income tax liability for any taxable 1 11 year is five dollars or more may direct that five dollars 1 12 of that liability be paid over to the voter=owned Iowa 1 13 clean elections fund, as established in section 68A.823, 1 14 when submitting the person's state income tax return to the 1 15 department of revenue. In the case of a joint return of 1 16 husband and wife having a state income tax liability of ten 1 17 dollars or more, each spouse may direct that five dollars 1 18 be paid to the fund. The director of revenue shall provide 1 19 space for the voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund income 1 20 tax checkoff on the income tax form. An explanation shall 1 21 be included which clearly states that the checkoff does not 1 22 constitute an additional tax liability. The action taken by a 1 23 person for the checkoff is irrevocable. 1 24 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION. 68A.801 Definitions. 1 25 For the purposes of this subchapter, unless the context 1 26 otherwise requires: 1 27 1. "Allowable contribution" means a qualifying contribution 1 28 or a seed money contribution. 1 29 2. "Board" means the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure 1 30 board established under section 68B.32. 1 31 3. "Clean election campaign qualifying period" means the 1 32 period during which candidates are permitted to collect 1 33 qualifying contributions in order to qualify for clean election 1 34 campaign funding. The period begins ninety days before the 1 35 beginning of the primary election campaign period and ends 2 1 thirty days before the beginning of the primary election 2 2 campaign period. 2 3 4. "Coordination" means a payment made for a communication 2 4 or anything of value that is for the purpose of influencing the 2 5 outcome of an election and that is made by a person according 2 6 to at least one of the following: 2 7 a. In cooperation, consultation, or concert with, at 2 8 the request or suggestion of, or pursuant to, a particular 2 9 understanding with a candidate, a candidate's committee, or an 2 10 agent acting on behalf of a candidate or candidate's committee. 2 11 b. For the dissemination, distribution, or republication, 2 12 in whole or in part, of any broadcast or any written, graphic, 2 13 or other form of campaign material prepared by a candidate, 2 14 a candidate's committee, or an agent of a candidate or 2 15 candidate's committee. 2 16 c. Based on specific information about the candidate's 2 17 plans, projects, or needs provided to the person making the 2 18 payment by the candidate or the candidate's agent who provides 2 19 the information with a view toward having the payment made. 2 20 d. If in the same election cycle in which the payment is 2 21 made, the person making the payment is serving or has served as 2 22 a member, employee, fund=raiser, or agent of the candidate or 2 23 candidate's committee in an executive or policymaking position. 2 24 e. If the person making the payment has served in any formal 2 25 policy or advisory position with the candidate's campaign or 2 26 has participated in strategic or policymaking discussions with 2 27 the candidate's campaign relating to the candidate's pursuit of 2 28 nomination for election, or election, to office, in the same 2 29 election cycle as the election cycle in which the payment is 2 30 made. 2 31 f. If the person making the payment retains the professional 2 32 services of an individual or person who, in a nonministerial 2 33 capacity, has provided or is providing campaign=related 2 34 services in the same election cycle to a candidate who 2 35 is pursuing the same nomination or election as any of the 3 1 candidates to whom the communication refers. For purposes 3 2 of this section, "professional services" includes services in 3 3 support of a candidate's pursuit of nomination for election or 3 4 election to office such as polling, media advice, direct mail, 3 5 fund=raising, or campaign research services. 3 6 5. "Electioneering communication" means any communication 3 7 that refers to a clearly identified candidate for elected 3 8 public office if the communication has the effect of 3 9 encouraging or discouraging a vote for the candidate, 3 10 regardless of whether the communication expressly advocates a 3 11 vote for or against the candidate. 3 12 6. "Excess expenditure amount" means the amount of 3 13 money spent or obligated to be spent by a nonparticipating 3 14 candidate in excess of the clean money amount available to a 3 15 participating candidate running for the same office. 3 16 7. "Express advocacy" means the same as defined in section 3 17 68A.102. 3 18 8. "General election campaign period" means the period 3 19 beginning the day after the primary election and ending on the 3 20 day of the general election. 3 21 9. "Independent candidate" means a candidate who does not 3 22 represent a political party as defined by section 43.2. 3 23 10. "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure made 3 24 by a person or group of persons other than a candidate or 3 25 candidate's committee that meets both of the following 3 26 conditions: 3 27 a. The expenditure is made for a communication that contains 3 28 express advocacy. 3 29 b. The expenditure is made without the participation or 3 30 cooperation of and without coordination with a candidate or a 3 31 candidate's committee. 3 32 11. "Nonparticipating candidate" means a candidate who is 3 33 on the ballot but has chosen not to apply for clean election 3 34 campaign funding or a candidate who is on the ballot and 3 35 has applied for but has not satisfied the requirements for 4 1 receiving clean election campaign funding. 4 2 12. "Participating candidate" means a candidate who 4 3 qualifies for clean election campaign funding. Such candidates 4 4 are eligible to receive clean election campaign funding during 4 5 primary or general election campaign periods. 4 6 13. "Party candidate" means a candidate who represents a 4 7 political party as defined by section 43.2. 4 8 14. "Primary election campaign period" means the period 4 9 beginning ninety days before the primary election and ending on 4 10 the day of the primary election. 4 11 15. "Qualifying contribution" means a contribution of five 4 12 dollars or more that is received during the designated clean 4 13 election campaign qualifying period by a candidate seeking to 4 14 become eligible for clean election campaign funding and that is 4 15 acknowledged by a written receipt identifying the contributor. 4 16 However, if the annual median household income of a legislative 4 17 district is at or below one hundred percent of the most recent 4 18 federal poverty guideline based on United States census bureau 4 19 data, the qualifying contribution is one dollar. 4 20 16. "Seed money contribution" means a contribution of no 4 21 more than one hundred dollars made by an individual person who 4 22 is at least eighteen years of age during the seed money period, 4 23 but specifically excludes all of the following: 4 24 a. Payments by a membership organization for the costs of 4 25 communications to its members. 4 26 b. Payments by a membership organization for the purpose of 4 27 facilitating the making of qualifying contributions. 4 28 c. The cash value of volunteer activity, including the 4 29 payment of incidental expenses of volunteers. 4 30 17. "Seed money period" means the period beginning the 4 31 day following the previous general election for that office 4 32 and ending on the last day of the clean election campaign 4 33 qualifying period. The "seed money period" is the exploratory 4 34 period during which candidates who wish to become eligible 4 35 for clean election campaign funding for the next elections 5 1 are permitted to raise and spend a limited amount of private 5 2 seed money, from contributions of up to one hundred dollars 5 3 per individual, for the purpose of determining whether to 5 4 become a candidate and fulfilling the clean election campaign 5 5 eligibility requirements. 5 6 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION. 68A.802 Eligibility for party 5 7 candidates. 5 8 1. A party candidate qualifies as a participating candidate 5 9 for the primary election campaign period if the candidate does 5 10 both of the following: 5 11 a. The candidate files a declaration with the board that 5 12 the candidate has complied and will comply with all of the 5 13 requirements of this subchapter, including the requirement 5 14 that during the seed money period and the clean election 5 15 campaign qualifying period the candidate not accept or 5 16 spend private contributions from any source other than seed 5 17 money contributions and clean election campaign qualifying 5 18 contributions, unless the provisions of section 68A.804 apply. 5 19 b. The candidate meets both of the following qualifying 5 20 contribution requirements before the close of the clean 5 21 election campaign qualifying period: 5 22 (1) A party candidate must collect both qualifying 5 23 contributions and signatures as follows: 5 24 (a) For the office of governor, from five hundred eligible 5 25 electors in each congressional district. 5 26 (b) For statewide office other than governor, from two 5 27 hundred fifty eligible electors in each congressional district. 5 28 (c) For the Iowa senate, from two hundred eligible electors 5 29 in the senate candidate's electoral district. 5 30 (d) For the Iowa house of representatives, from one hundred 5 31 eligible electors in the house candidate's electoral district. 5 32 (2) Each qualifying contribution must meet all requirements 5 33 of this section. 5 34 2. Contributors shall be eligible electors who reside 5 35 within the candidate's electoral district and who are therefore 6 1 eligible to vote for that candidate. 6 2 3. Qualifying contributions shall be: 6 3 a. Made in cash, check, money order, or credit or debit 6 4 card. 6 5 b. Gathered by the candidate personally or by volunteers who 6 6 do not receive compensation. 6 7 c. Acknowledged by a receipt to the contributor, with 6 8 a copy to be kept by the candidate and a third copy to be 6 9 submitted to the board. The receipt shall include a signed 6 10 statement that the contributor understands that the purpose of 6 11 the contribution is to help the candidate qualify for clean 6 12 election campaign funding and that the contribution is made 6 13 without coercion or reimbursement. The receipt shall include 6 14 the contributor's signature, printed name, home address, and 6 15 telephone number, and the name of the candidate on whose behalf 6 16 the contribution is made. 6 17 d. Paid over to the board for deposit in the voter=owned 6 18 Iowa clean elections fund established under section 68A.823, 6 19 with the signed and completed receipt, according to a schedule 6 20 and procedure to be determined by the board. A contribution 6 21 submitted as a qualifying contribution that does not include 6 22 the signed and completed receipt shall not be counted as a 6 23 qualifying contribution. 6 24 4. A party candidate qualifies as a participating candidate 6 25 for the general election campaign period when the candidate 6 26 does both of the following: 6 27 a. The candidate has met all of the applicable requirements 6 28 of this subchapter and filed a declaration with the board 6 29 that the candidate has fulfilled and will fulfill all of the 6 30 requirements of a participating candidate as stated in this 6 31 subchapter. 6 32 b. As a participating candidate during the primary election 6 33 campaign period, the candidate had the highest number of votes 6 34 of the candidates contesting the primary election from the 6 35 candidate's respective party and won the party's nomination. 7 1 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 68A.803 Eligibility for independent 7 2 candidates. 7 3 1. An independent candidate qualifies as a participating 7 4 candidate for the primary election campaign period if the 7 5 candidate does both of the following: 7 6 a. The candidate files a declaration with the board that 7 7 the candidate has complied and will comply with all of the 7 8 requirements of this subchapter, including the requirement 7 9 that during the seed money period and the clean election 7 10 campaign qualifying period the candidate not accept or 7 11 spend private contributions from any source other than seed 7 12 money contributions and clean election campaign qualifying 7 13 contributions, unless the provisions of section 68A.804 apply. 7 14 b. The candidate meets the following qualifying contribution 7 15 requirements before the close of the clean election campaign 7 16 qualifying period: 7 17 (1) An independent candidate shall collect the same number 7 18 of qualifying contributions as required of a party candidate 7 19 for the same office under section 68A.802. 7 20 (2) Each qualifying contribution must meet all requirements 7 21 of this section. 7 22 2. Contributors shall be registered voters who reside 7 23 within the candidate's electoral district and who are therefore 7 24 eligible to vote for that candidate. 7 25 3. Qualifying contributions shall be: 7 26 a. Made in cash, check, money order, or credit or debit 7 27 card. 7 28 b. Gathered by the candidate personally or by volunteers who 7 29 do not receive compensation. 7 30 c. Acknowledged by a receipt to the contributor, with 7 31 a copy to be kept by the candidate and a third copy to be 7 32 submitted to the board. The receipt shall include a signed 7 33 statement that the contributor understands that the purpose of 7 34 the contribution is to help the candidate qualify for clean 7 35 election campaign funding and that the contribution is made 8 1 without coercion or reimbursement. The receipt shall include 8 2 the contributor's signature, printed name, home address, and 8 3 telephone number, and the name of the candidate on whose behalf 8 4 the contribution is made. 8 5 d. Paid over to the board for deposit in the voter=owned 8 6 Iowa clean elections fund established under section 68A.823, 8 7 with the signed and completed receipt, according to a schedule 8 8 and procedure to be determined by the board. A contribution 8 9 submitted as a qualifying contribution that does not include 8 10 the signed and completed receipt shall not be counted as a 8 11 qualifying contribution. 8 12 4. An independent candidate qualifies as a participating 8 13 candidate for the general election campaign period when the 8 14 candidate does both of the following: 8 15 a. If, prior to the primary election, the candidate has met 8 16 all of the applicable requirements of this subchapter and filed 8 17 a declaration with the board that the candidate has fulfilled 8 18 and will fulfill all of the requirements of a participating 8 19 candidate as stated in this subchapter. 8 20 b. If, during the primary election campaign period, the 8 21 candidate has fulfilled all the requirements of a participating 8 22 candidate as stated in this subchapter. 8 23 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 68A.804 Transition rule for current 8 24 election cycle. 8 25 During the election cycle in effect on the date of enactment 8 26 of this Act, a candidate may be certified as a participating 8 27 candidate, notwithstanding the acceptance of contributions 8 28 or making of expenditures from private funds before the date 8 29 of enactment of this Act that would, absent this section, 8 30 disqualify the candidate as a participating candidate, provided 8 31 that any private funds accepted but not expended before the 8 32 date of enactment of this Act shall either be returned to 8 33 the contributor or submitted to the board for deposit in the 8 34 voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund established under section 8 35 68A.823. 9 1 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION. 68A.805 Continuing obligation to 9 2 comply. 9 3 A participating candidate who accepts any benefits under 9 4 section 68A.813 during the primary election campaign period 9 5 shall comply with all the requirements of this subchapter 9 6 through any remaining time during the primary election campaign 9 7 period as well as through the general election campaign period 9 8 whether or not the candidate continues to accept benefits. 9 9 Sec. 8. NEW SECTION. 68A.806 Contributions and 9 10 expenditures. 9 11 1. During the primary and general election campaign 9 12 periods, a participating candidate who has voluntarily agreed 9 13 to participate in clean election campaign financing shall not 9 14 accept private contributions from any source other than the 9 15 candidate's political party, as specified in section 68A.808. 9 16 2. A person shall not make a contribution in violation 9 17 of section 68A.502. A participating candidate who receives 9 18 a qualifying contribution or a seed money contribution that 9 19 is not from the person listed on the receipt as required by 9 20 this subchapter shall pay to the board for deposit in the 9 21 voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund established under section 9 22 68A.823 the entire amount of such contribution. 9 23 3. The board shall issue each participating candidate a 9 24 card known as the "clean election campaign debit card", and a 9 25 line of debit entitling the candidate to draw clean election 9 26 campaign funds to pay for all campaign costs and expenses up to 9 27 the amount of funding the candidate has received. During the 9 28 primary and general election campaign periods, a participating 9 29 candidate shall pay by means of the board's clean election 9 30 campaign debit card. A participating candidate shall not pay 9 31 campaign costs by cash, check, money order, loan, or by any 9 32 other financial means other than the clean election campaign 9 33 debit card. 9 34 4. Eligible candidates shall furnish complete campaign 9 35 records, including all records of seed money contributions and 10 1 qualifying contributions, to the board at regular filing times, 10 2 or on request by the board. Candidates shall cooperate with 10 3 any audit or examination conducted or ordered by the board. 10 4 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION. 68A.807 Nonparticipating candidates 10 5 ==== contribution limits. 10 6 Nonparticipating candidates shall be subject to the 10 7 following contribution limits: 10 8 1. Candidates for statewide office: 10 9 a. One thousand dollars in the aggregate per individual 10 10 contribution. 10 11 b. Five thousand dollars in the aggregate per political 10 12 committee contribution. 10 13 2. Candidates for the Iowa senate and house of 10 14 representatives: 10 15 a. Five hundred dollars in the aggregate per individual 10 16 contribution. 10 17 b. One thousand dollars in the aggregate per political 10 18 committee contribution. 10 19 Sec. 10. NEW SECTION. 68A.808 Political party contributions 10 20 and expenditures. 10 21 1. Participating candidates may accept monetary or in=kind 10 22 contributions from political parties provided that the 10 23 aggregate amount of such contributions from all political party 10 24 committees combined does not exceed the equivalent of five 10 25 percent of the clean election campaign financing amount for 10 26 that office. 10 27 2. In=kind contributions made during a general election 10 28 campaign period on behalf of a group of the party's candidates 10 29 shall not be considered a prohibited party contribution or 10 30 count against the five percent limit established in subsection 10 31 1 if such group includes at least fifty=one percent of the 10 32 candidates whose names will appear on the general election 10 33 ballot in the political subdivision represented by the party 10 34 committee making such in=kind contributions. 10 35 3. Contributions made to, and expenditures made by, 11 1 political parties during primary and general campaign 11 2 periods shall be reported to the board on the same basis as 11 3 contributions and expenditures made to or by candidates. 11 4 4. This section and this subchapter shall not prevent 11 5 political party funds from being used for any of the following: 11 6 a. General operating expenses of the party. 11 7 b. Conventions. 11 8 c. Nominating and endorsing candidates. 11 9 d. Identifying, researching, and developing the party's 11 10 positions on issues. 11 11 e. Party platform activities. 11 12 f. Voter registration drives that are not specific to any 11 13 candidate. 11 14 g. Get=out=the=vote drives that are not specific to any 11 15 candidate. 11 16 h. Travel expenses for noncandidate party leaders and staff. 11 17 i. Other party=building activities, as defined by rule of 11 18 the board, that are not specific to any candidate. 11 19 j. Employing a staff person to provide election services to 11 20 two or more candidates. 11 21 Sec. 11. NEW SECTION. 68A.809 Use of personal funds. 11 22 1. Personal funds contributed as seed money by a candidate 11 23 seeking to become eligible as a participating candidate or by 11 24 the candidate's spouse shall not exceed one hundred dollars per 11 25 contributor. 11 26 2. Personal funds shall not be used to meet the qualifying 11 27 contribution requirement except for one five=dollar 11 28 contribution from the candidate and one five=dollar 11 29 contribution from the candidate's spouse. 11 30 Sec. 12. NEW SECTION. 68A.810 Seed money. 11 31 1. The only private contributions a candidate seeking 11 32 to become eligible for clean election campaign funding shall 11 33 accept, other than qualifying contributions, are seed money 11 34 contributions contributed by individual persons who are at 11 35 least eighteen years of age prior to the end of the clean 12 1 election campaign qualifying period. 12 2 2. A seed money contribution shall not exceed one hundred 12 3 dollars, and the aggregate amount of seed money contributions 12 4 accepted by a candidate seeking to become eligible for clean 12 5 election campaign funding shall not exceed the relevant limit, 12 6 as follows: 12 7 a. Twenty=five thousand dollars for a candidate team running 12 8 for governor and lieutenant governor. 12 9 b. Fifteen thousand dollars for a candidate running for 12 10 statewide office other than governor or lieutenant governor. 12 11 c. Two thousand dollars for a candidate running for the Iowa 12 12 senate. 12 13 d. One thousand dollars for a candidate running for the Iowa 12 14 house of representatives. 12 15 3. Receipts for seed money contributions shall include 12 16 the contributor's signature, printed name, street address and 12 17 zip code, telephone number, occupation, and name of employer. 12 18 Contributions shall not be accepted if the required disclosure 12 19 information is not received. 12 20 4. Seed money shall be spent only during the clean election 12 21 campaign qualifying period. Seed money shall not be spent 12 22 during the primary or general election campaign periods. 12 23 5. Within forty=eight hours after the close of the clean 12 24 election campaign qualifying period, candidates seeking to 12 25 become eligible for clean election campaign funding shall do 12 26 both of the following: 12 27 a. Fully disclose all seed money contributions and 12 28 expenditures to the board. 12 29 b. Pay over to the board for deposit in the voter=owned 12 30 Iowa clean elections fund any seed money the candidate has 12 31 raised during the designated seed money period that exceeds the 12 32 aggregate seed money limit. 12 33 Sec. 13. NEW SECTION. 68A.811 Participation in debates. 12 34 1. Participating candidates in contested races shall 12 35 participate in all of the following: 13 1 a. For the offices of governor and lieutenant governor: 13 2 (1) One one=hour debate during a contested primary 13 3 election. 13 4 (2) Two one=hour debates during a contested general 13 5 election. 13 6 b. For all other offices: 13 7 (1) One one=hour debate during a contested primary 13 8 election. 13 9 (2) One one=hour debate during a contested general 13 10 election. 13 11 2. Nonparticipating candidates for the same office whose 13 12 names will appear on the ballot shall be invited to join the 13 13 debates. 13 14 Sec. 14. NEW SECTION. 68A.812 Certification. 13 15 1. No more than five days after a candidate applies for 13 16 clean election campaign funding benefits, the board shall 13 17 certify that the candidate is or is not eligible to receive 13 18 clean election campaign funds. 13 19 2. The board may revoke a candidate's eligibility if 13 20 the board determines that the candidate has violated the 13 21 requirements of this subchapter, in which case the candidate 13 22 shall repay all clean election campaign funds received by the 13 23 candidate. 13 24 3. The candidate's request for certification shall be 13 25 signed by the candidate and the treasurer of the candidate's 13 26 committee, both under penalty of perjury. 13 27 4. The board's determination is final except that it is 13 28 subject to examination and audit by an outside agency and to 13 29 prompt judicial review, in compliance with rules promulgated by 13 30 the board in accordance with chapter 17A. 13 31 Sec. 15. NEW SECTION. 68A.813 Benefits provided to 13 32 candidates eligible to receive clean election campaign funding. 13 33 1. Candidates who qualify for clean election campaign 13 34 funding for primary and general elections shall receive all of 13 35 the following: 14 1 a. Clean election campaign funding from the board for each 14 2 election, the amount of which is specified in section 68A.815. 14 3 This funding may be used to finance any and all campaign 14 4 expenses during the particular campaign period for which it is 14 5 received. 14 6 b. Additional clean election campaign funding to match 14 7 any excess expenditure amount spent by a nonparticipating 14 8 candidate, as specified in section 68A.817. 14 9 c. Additional clean election campaign funding to match any 14 10 independent expenditure made in opposition to their candidacies 14 11 or on behalf of their opponents' candidacies, as specified in 14 12 section 68A.819. 14 13 d. Additional clean election campaign funding to match 14 14 any electioneering communication expenditure, as specified in 14 15 section 68A.820. 14 16 2. The maximum aggregate amount of additional funding above 14 17 the initial allocation determined under section 68A.815 that 14 18 a participating candidate shall receive to match independent 14 19 expenditures, the excess expenditures of nonparticipating 14 20 candidates, and electioneering communication expenditures shall 14 21 be two hundred percent of the full amount of clean election 14 22 campaign funding allocated to a participating candidate for a 14 23 particular primary or general election campaign period. 14 24 Sec. 16. NEW SECTION. 68A.814 Schedule of clean election 14 25 campaign funding payments. 14 26 1. An eligible candidate shall receive clean election 14 27 campaign funding for the primary election campaign period 14 28 on the date on which the board certifies the candidate as a 14 29 participating candidate. This certification shall take place 14 30 no later than five days after the candidate has submitted the 14 31 required number of qualifying contributions and a declaration 14 32 stating that the candidate has complied with all other 14 33 requirements for eligibility as a participating candidate, but 14 34 no earlier than the beginning of the primary election campaign 14 35 period. 15 1 2. An eligible candidate shall receive clean election 15 2 campaign funding for the general election campaign period 15 3 within forty=eight hours after certification of the primary 15 4 election results. 15 5 Sec. 17. NEW SECTION. 68A.815 Determination of clean 15 6 election campaign funding amounts. 15 7 1. a. For party candidates, the amount of clean election 15 8 campaign funding for a contested primary election is as 15 9 follows: 15 10 (1) Seven hundred fifty thousand dollars for a candidate 15 11 team running for governor and lieutenant governor. 15 12 (2) Seventy=five thousand dollars for a candidate for 15 13 statewide office other than governor and lieutenant governor. 15 14 (3) Twenty=two thousand five hundred dollars for a 15 15 candidate running for the Iowa senate. 15 16 (4) Fifteen thousand dollars for a candidate running for the 15 17 Iowa house of representatives. 15 18 b. The clean election campaign funding amount for an 15 19 eligible party candidate in an uncontested primary election 15 20 is twenty=five percent of the amount provided in a contested 15 21 primary election. 15 22 c. In a contested general election, if an eligible party 15 23 candidate or all of the candidates of the candidate's party 15 24 combined received at least twenty percent of the total number 15 25 of votes cast for all candidates seeking that office in 15 26 the most recent primary election or in the previous general 15 27 election, the candidate shall receive the full amount of clean 15 28 election campaign funding for the general election, as follows: 15 29 (1) Three million dollars for a candidate team running for 15 30 governor and lieutenant governor. 15 31 (2) Two hundred thousand dollars for a candidate for 15 32 statewide office other than governor and lieutenant governor. 15 33 (3) Forty thousand dollars for a candidate running for the 15 34 Iowa senate. 15 35 (4) Thirty thousand dollars for a candidate running for the 16 1 Iowa house of representatives. 16 2 d. The clean election campaign funding amount for an 16 3 eligible party candidate in an uncontested general election 16 4 is ten percent of the amount provided in a contested general 16 5 election for the same office. 16 6 2. a. For eligible independent candidates, the clean 16 7 election campaign funding amount for the primary election 16 8 campaign period is twenty=five percent of the amount of clean 16 9 election campaign funding received by a party candidate in a 16 10 contested primary election for the same office. 16 11 b. The clean election campaign funding amount for an 16 12 eligible independent candidate in the general election is the 16 13 same as the full amount received by a party candidate in the 16 14 general election for the same office. 16 15 c. After the first cycle of clean election campaign 16 16 financing elections, the board shall modify all clean election 16 17 campaign funding amounts based on the percentage increase in 16 18 the consumer price index, for all urban consumers, United 16 19 States city average, as published in the federal register 16 20 by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor 16 21 statistics, that reflects the percentage increase in the 16 22 consumer price index for the twelve=month period ending 16 23 December 31 of the previous year. 16 24 Sec. 18. NEW SECTION. 68A.816 Expenditures made with clean 16 25 election campaign funds. 16 26 1. The clean election campaign funding received by a 16 27 participating candidate shall be used only for the purpose of 16 28 defraying that candidate's campaign=related expenses during 16 29 the particular election campaign period for which the clean 16 30 election campaign funding was received. 16 31 2. Payments shall not be used for the following: 16 32 a. Payments that are in violation of the law. 16 33 b. Payments that repay any personal, family, or business 16 34 loans, expenditures, or debts. 16 35 Sec. 19. NEW SECTION. 68A.817 Disclosure of excess spending 17 1 by nonparticipating candidates. 17 2 1. If a nonparticipating candidate's total expenditures 17 3 exceed the amount of clean election campaign funding allocated 17 4 to the candidate's clean election campaign opponent, the 17 5 candidate shall declare to the board within forty=eight hours 17 6 every excess expenditure amount that, in the aggregate, is more 17 7 than one thousand dollars. 17 8 2. During the last twenty days before the end of the 17 9 relevant campaign period, a nonparticipating candidate shall 17 10 declare to the board each excess expenditure amount over 17 11 five hundred dollars within twenty=four hours of when the 17 12 expenditure is made or obligated to be made. 17 13 3. The board may make its own determination as to whether 17 14 excess expenditures have been made by nonparticipating 17 15 candidates. 17 16 4. Upon receiving an excess expenditure declaration, the 17 17 board shall immediately release additional clean election 17 18 campaign funding to the opposing participating candidate 17 19 or candidates equal to the excess expenditure amount the 17 20 nonparticipating candidate has spent or intends to spend, 17 21 subject to the limit set forth in section 68A.813. 17 22 Sec. 20. NEW SECTION. 68A.818 Campaign advertisements. 17 23 All broadcast and print advertisements placed by candidates 17 24 or candidate's committees shall, in addition to the 17 25 requirements of section 68A.405, include a clear written or 17 26 spoken statement indicating that the candidate has approved of 17 27 the contents of the advertisement. 17 28 Sec. 21. NEW SECTION. 68A.819 Disclosure of independent 17 29 expenditures ==== additional clean election campaign funding. 17 30 1. Any person or group of persons who makes or obligates 17 31 to make an independent expenditure during a primary or general 17 32 election campaign period which, in the aggregate, exceeds one 17 33 thousand dollars, shall report each expenditure within forty= 17 34 eight hours to the board. 17 35 2. The report to the board shall include a statement, 18 1 under penalty of perjury, by the person or persons making 18 2 the independent expenditure identifying the candidate the 18 3 independent expenditure is intended to help elect or defeat 18 4 and affirming that the expenditure is totally independent and 18 5 involves no coordination with a candidate or a political party. 18 6 a. An individual or organization may file a complaint with 18 7 the board if the candidate or the organization believes that 18 8 the statement according to this subsection is false. 18 9 b. A hearing on a complaint under this subsection shall be 18 10 held within three business days of filing and a decision issued 18 11 within seven days of filing. 18 12 3. Any person or group of persons who makes or obligates 18 13 to make an independent expenditure during the last twenty days 18 14 before the end of the relevant campaign period which, in the 18 15 aggregate, exceeds five hundred dollars, shall report each 18 16 expenditure within twenty=four hours to the board. 18 17 4. Upon receiving a report that an independent expenditure 18 18 has been made or obligated to be made, the board shall 18 19 immediately release additional clean election campaign funding, 18 20 equal in amount to the cost of the independent expenditure, to 18 21 all participating candidates the independent expenditure is 18 22 intended to oppose or defeat, subject to the limit set forth 18 23 in section 68A.813. 18 24 Sec. 22. NEW SECTION. 68A.820 Electioneering communications 18 25 ==== disclosure ==== additional clean election campaign funding. 18 26 1. A person who makes or obligates to make a disbursement to 18 27 purchase an electioneering communication shall file a report 18 28 with the board not later than forty=eight hours after making or 18 29 obligating to make the disbursement, containing the following 18 30 information: 18 31 a. The amount of the disbursement. 18 32 b. The name and address of the person making the 18 33 disbursement. 18 34 c. The purpose of the electioneering communication. 18 35 2. Upon receiving a report that an electioneering 19 1 communication has been made or obligated to be made, and 19 2 upon determination that the electioneering communication can 19 3 reasonably be interpreted as having the effect of promoting 19 4 the defeat of a participating candidate or the election 19 5 of that candidate's opponent, the board shall immediately 19 6 release to that candidate additional clean election campaign 19 7 funding, equal in amount to the cost of the electioneering 19 8 communication, subject to the limit set forth in section 19 9 68A.813. 19 10 Sec. 23. NEW SECTION. 68A.821 Voter information program. 19 11 1. The board shall establish and administer a nonpartisan 19 12 voter information program, including an advisory council 19 13 consisting of representatives of nonprofit organizations, 19 14 political parties, the media, and interested citizens. 19 15 2. The voter information program advisory council may 19 16 establish a voter information program for the purpose of 19 17 providing voters with election=related information and 19 18 fostering political dialogue and debate. 19 19 3. The voter information program advisory council 19 20 shall organize the publication and distribution of a voter 19 21 information guide that includes important information about the 19 22 following issues: 19 23 a. Candidates appearing on the ballot, including 19 24 biographical material submitted by the candidates. 19 25 b. Whether candidates are funding their campaigns with 19 26 public money or private money. 19 27 c. Policy statements by the candidates or their political 19 28 parties on issues designated by the council and other issues. 19 29 d. Candidates' voting records. 19 30 Sec. 24. NEW SECTION. 68A.822 Debates. 19 31 1. A nonpartisan organization that is involved in 19 32 providing information to the public concerning elections, or a 19 33 nonpartisan organization that has been involved in education 19 34 and the advocacy of open, clean election and campaign laws for 19 35 at least five years, may host and sponsor voter=owned Iowa 20 1 clean election candidate debates in contested primary and 20 2 general elections. 20 3 2. All participating candidates shall participate in the 20 4 debates and all nonparticipating candidates for the same office 20 5 whose names will appear on the ballot shall be invited to join 20 6 the debates. 20 7 Sec. 25. NEW SECTION. 68A.823 Voter=owned Iowa clean 20 8 elections fund (VOICE) ==== nature and purposes. 20 9 1. A voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund is established as 20 10 a separate fund within the office of the state treasurer, under 20 11 the control of the board, for the following purposes: 20 12 a. Providing public financing for the election campaigns of 20 13 certified participating candidates during primary election and 20 14 general election campaign periods. 20 15 b. Paying for the administrative and enforcement costs of 20 16 the board in relation to this subchapter. 20 17 2. The fund shall consist of moneys received pursuant to 20 18 section 68A.824. Notwithstanding section 8.33, unencumbered 20 19 or unobligated moneys and any interest earned on moneys in the 20 20 fund on June 30 of any fiscal year shall not revert to the 20 21 general fund of the state but shall remain in the fund and be 20 22 available for expenditure in subsequent years. 20 23 Sec. 26. NEW SECTION. 68A.824 Funding. 20 24 In addition to any moneys appropriated by the general 20 25 assembly to the voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund 20 26 established in section 68A.823, the following moneys shall be 20 27 deposited in the fund: 20 28 1. The qualifying contributions required of candidates 20 29 seeking to become certified as participating candidates 20 30 according to section 68A.802 or 68A.803 and candidates' excess 20 31 qualifying contributions. 20 32 2. Moneys credited to the fund pursuant to sections 68A.610 20 33 and 556.18. 20 34 3. The excess seed money contributions of candidates 20 35 seeking to become certified as participating candidates. 21 1 4. Moneys distributed to any participating candidate 21 2 who does not remain a candidate until the primary or general 21 3 election for which they were distributed. 21 4 5. Civil penalties levied by the board against candidates 21 5 for violations of this subchapter. 21 6 6. Voluntary donations made directly to the fund. 21 7 7. Any other sources of revenue designated by the general 21 8 assembly. 21 9 Sec. 27. NEW SECTION. 68A.825 Powers and procedures. 21 10 The board shall have the following powers and duties, in 21 11 addition to those granted in this chapter and chapter 68B, when 21 12 administering this subchapter: 21 13 1. After every primary and general election, the board 21 14 may conduct random audits and investigations to ensure 21 15 compliance with this subchapter. The subjects of such audits 21 16 and investigations shall be selected on the basis of impartial 21 17 criteria established by a vote of at least four members of the 21 18 board. 21 19 2. a. The board may investigate anonymous complaints. 21 20 b. The identity of a complainant may be kept confidential 21 21 if the complainant states in the complaint that revealing 21 22 the identity of the complainant could reasonably result in 21 23 disciplinary action or loss of employment. 21 24 3. The board may seek injunctions when all of the following 21 25 conditions are met: 21 26 a. There is a substantial likelihood that a violation of 21 27 this subchapter is occurring or is about to occur. 21 28 b. The failure to act expeditiously will result in 21 29 irreparable harm to a party affected by the violation or 21 30 potential violation. 21 31 c. Expeditious action will not cause undue harm or prejudice 21 32 to the interests of others. 21 33 d. The public interest would be best served by the issuance 21 34 of an injunction. 21 35 4. The board may levy civil penalties for violations of 22 1 this subchapter. Civil penalties shall be deposited in the 22 2 voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund. 22 3 5. The board shall refer criminal violations to the county 22 4 attorney or attorney general for prosecution. 22 5 6. The board may participate fully in any actions filed 22 6 under this section. 22 7 7. The board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A as 22 8 necessary to administer this subchapter. 22 9 Sec. 28. NEW SECTION. 68A.826 Civil actions. 22 10 1. A citizen of this state who believes a candidate has 22 11 violated this subchapter may pursue a civil action in a court 22 12 of relevant jurisdiction, provided that both of the following 22 13 are true: 22 14 a. The citizen has previously filed a complaint with the 22 15 board regarding the same alleged violation. 22 16 b. The board has failed to make a determination within 22 17 thirty days of the filing of the complaint. 22 18 2. A complainant who prevails in a civil action charging 22 19 a violation of this subchapter shall be entitled to receive 22 20 reasonable attorney fees and court costs from the defendant. 22 21 3. If a court in which a civil action has been filed under 22 22 subsection 1 finds that the complaint in that action was 22 23 made frivolously or without cause, the court may require the 22 24 complainant to pay the costs of the board, the court, and the 22 25 defendant parties. 22 26 Sec. 29. NEW SECTION. 68A.827 Board reports. 22 27 1. The board shall report to the general assembly after each 22 28 election cycle. 22 29 2. The report shall include a detailed summary of all 22 30 seed money contributions, qualifying contributions, and clean 22 31 election campaign funding benefits received, and expenditures 22 32 made, by all participating candidates. The report shall also 22 33 include a summary and evaluation of the board's activities and 22 34 recommendations relating to the implementation, administration, 22 35 and enforcement of this subchapter. 23 1 Sec. 30. NEW SECTION. 68A.828 Repayments of excess 23 2 expenditures. 23 3 1. If a participating candidate spends or obligates to spend 23 4 more than the clean election campaign funding the candidate 23 5 receives, and if such is determined not to be an amount that 23 6 had or could have been expected to have a significant impact 23 7 on the outcome of the election, the candidate shall personally 23 8 repay to the voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund an amount 23 9 equal to the excess. 23 10 2. If a participating candidate spends or obligates to spend 23 11 more than the clean election campaign funding the candidate 23 12 receives, and if such is determined to be an amount that had or 23 13 could have been expected to have a significant impact on the 23 14 outcome of the election, the candidate shall personally repay 23 15 to the voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund an amount equal to 23 16 five times the value of the excess. 23 17 Sec. 31. NEW SECTION. 68A.829 Penalties. 23 18 1. A candidate shall not knowingly accept more benefits than 23 19 those to which the candidate is entitled, spend more than the 23 20 amount of clean election campaign funding received, or misuse 23 21 such clean election campaign funding benefits or clean election 23 22 campaign funding. 23 23 2. If a violation of subsection 1 was intentional and 23 24 involved an amount that had or could have been expected to 23 25 have a significant impact on the outcome of the election, the 23 26 candidate commits an aggravated misdemeanor. 23 27 3. If it is determined that the violation of subsection 23 28 1 was intentional and involved an amount that had or could 23 29 have been expected to have a significant impact on the 23 30 outcome of the election, and if, in the judgment of the 23 31 board, the violation is believed to have contributed to the 23 32 violator winning the election, the board may recommend to 23 33 the appropriate authority that proceedings be commenced to 23 34 remove the violator from office or to impeach the violator if 23 35 applicable. 24 1 4. A person shall not provide false information to the board 24 2 or conceal or withhold information from the board. A violation 24 3 of this subsection is an aggravated misdemeanor. 24 4 Sec. 32. NEW SECTION. 68A.830 Local provision. 24 5 Each city council, school board, and county board of 24 6 supervisors shall have the authority to adopt and fund a 24 7 voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund, consistent with this 24 8 subchapter, for local government elections. 24 9 Sec. 33. Section 422.7, Code 2017, is amended by adding the 24 10 following new subsection: 24 11 NEW SUBSECTION. 59. Subtract, to the extent not otherwise 24 12 excluded, up to two hundred dollars of the amount contributed 24 13 to the voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund pursuant to 24 14 section 68A.824, subsection 6. 24 15 Sec. 34. Section 422.12E, subsection 1, Code 2017, is 24 16 amended to read as follows: 24 17 1. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2019, 24 18 there shall be allowed no more than four income tax return 24 19 checkoffs on each income tax return. For tax years beginning 24 20 on or after January 1, 2017, when the same four income tax 24 21 return checkoffs have been provided on the income tax return 24 22 for two consecutive years, the two checkoffs for which the 24 23 least amount has been contributed, in the aggregate for the 24 24 first tax year and through March 15 of the second tax year, are 24 25 repealed. This section does not apply to the income tax return 24 26checkoffcheckoffs provided insectionsections 68A.601 and 24 27 68A.610. 24 28 Sec. 35. NEW SECTION. 422.12I Income tax checkoff for 24 29 voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund. 24 30 A person who files an individual or a joint income tax 24 31 return with the department of revenue under section 422.13 24 32 may designate a contribution to the voter=owned Iowa clean 24 33 elections fund authorized pursuant to section 68A.610. 24 34 Sec. 36. Section 556.18, subsection 2, Code 2017, is amended 24 35 by adding the following new paragraph: 25 1 NEW PARAGRAPH. e. Ten million dollars to be deposited 25 2 in the voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund established in 25 3 section 68A.823. 25 4 Sec. 37. Section 556.18, subsection 3, Code 2017, is amended 25 5 to read as follows: 25 6 3. The treasurer of state shall annually credit all moneys 25 7 received under section 556.4 to the general fund of the state. 25 8 Moneys credited to the general fund of the state pursuant to 25 9 this subsection are subject to the requirements of subsections 25 10 1 and 2 and section 8.60. However, if the amount collected 25 11 under subsection 2, paragraph "e", does not equal ten million 25 12 dollars, the treasurer of state shall annually pay over an 25 13 amount received under section 556.4 as necessary to bring the 25 14 amount deposited in the voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund 25 15 to ten million dollars. 25 16 Sec. 38. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Act are 25 17 severable as provided in section 4.12. 25 18 Sec. 39. IMPLEMENTATION OF ACT. Section 25B.2, subsection 25 19 3, shall not apply to this Act. 25 20 Sec. 40. EFFECTIVE DATES. 25 21 1. Except as provided in subsection 2, this Act takes effect 25 22 November 4, 2020. 25 23 2. The following provision or provisions of this Act take 25 24 effect January 1, 2018: 25 25 a. The section of this Act enacting section 68A.610. 25 26 b. The section of this Act enacting section 422.12I. 25 27 c. The section of this Act amending section 422.7. 25 28 d. The section of this Act amending section 556.18. 25 29 EXPLANATION 25 30 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 25 31 the explanation's substance by the members of the general assembly. 25 32 This bill amends Code chapter 68A, relating to campaign 25 33 finance law, by creating a voluntary mechanism for publicly 25 34 financed elections and establishing contribution limits for 25 35 candidates who do not participate in the public financing 26 1 process. 26 2 The bill enacts a process for public financing for statewide 26 3 and legislative elections and enacts new Code section 68A.801, 26 4 providing definitions for key terms related to this process. 26 5 New Code section 68A.823 establishes a separate, 26 6 nonreverting fund in the state treasury to be known as the 26 7 voter=owned Iowa clean elections (VOICE) fund, and new Code 26 8 section 68A.824 provides sources of revenue for the fund. 26 9 New Code sections 68A.802 and 68A.803 specify the 26 10 eligibility procedures for both party and independent 26 11 candidates to become participating candidates and specify 26 12 the number of and details for collection of qualifying 26 13 contributions. 26 14 New Code section 68A.805 provides that any candidate who 26 15 accepts benefits during the primary election campaign period 26 16 must continue to comply with the requirements of the public 26 17 financing process, even if the candidate stops accepting 26 18 benefits of the program at any point during the primary or 26 19 general election campaign periods. 26 20 New Code section 68A.806 prohibits a participating candidate 26 21 from accepting private funding during the primary and general 26 22 election campaign periods other than certain permitted party 26 23 funding. Contributions in the name of another person are 26 24 prohibited and subject to payment to the board as are any 26 25 applicable penalties. The use of personal funds for seed money 26 26 or as qualifying contributions is limited by new Code section 26 27 68A.809. 26 28 New Code section 68A.807 establishes contribution limits for 26 29 those candidates who choose not to participate in the public 26 30 financing process. 26 31 New Code section 68A.808 limits political party 26 32 contributions and expenditures on behalf of participating 26 33 candidates. 26 34 New Code section 68A.810 details the collection of private 26 35 contributions for use as seed money, limited by new Code 27 1 section 68A.809 to a $100 contribution per individual person 27 2 at least 18 years of age, and also limited in the aggregate in 27 3 differing amounts for candidates for governor and lieutenant 27 4 governor, for other statewide candidates, for Iowa senate 27 5 candidates, and for Iowa house of representatives candidates. 27 6 Seed money expenditures are limited to the clean election 27 7 campaign qualifying period and seed money contributions and 27 8 expenditures must be fully disclosed at the end of the public 27 9 financing qualifying period. 27 10 New Code section 68A.812 provides for a certification 27 11 process after a candidate applies for public financing campaign 27 12 funding benefits and requires repayment of funds if eligibility 27 13 is revoked. The bill provides for audit and judicial review of 27 14 certification decisions made by the board. 27 15 New Code section 68A.813 provides certain benefits and 27 16 obligations for participating candidates, including specified 27 17 amounts of public funding pursuant to new Code section 27 18 68A.815, mandatory participation in debates pursuant to new 27 19 Code sections 68A.811 and 68A.822, and, pursuant to new Code 27 20 section 68A.817, additional limited public funding to respond 27 21 to certain excess expenditures by nonparticipating candidates, 27 22 independent expenditures, and electioneering communications 27 23 expenditures. 27 24 New Code section 68A.814 provides for a schedule of payments 27 25 to participating candidates, and new Code section 68A.815 27 26 specifies differing total amounts for primary and general 27 27 elections for candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, 27 28 for other statewide candidates, for Iowa senate candidates, 27 29 and for Iowa house of representatives candidates. Alternate 27 30 amounts are provided for uncontested races. Pursuant to new 27 31 Code section 68A.816, clean election campaign funding payments 27 32 must be used only for campaign=related expenses, and cannot be 27 33 used for payments in violation of law or to repay personal or 27 34 business loans, expenditures, or debts. 27 35 New Code section 68A.817 provides that nonparticipating 28 1 candidates must disclose within 48 hours every expenditure 28 2 in excess of the public financing funding allocated to the 28 3 candidate's participating opponent that in the aggregate is 28 4 more than $1,000. Certain other reporting requirements apply 28 5 during the last 20 days of a campaign. 28 6 All candidates must include a statement with all 28 7 advertisements indicating that the candidate has approved of 28 8 the contents of the advertisement, pursuant to new Code section 28 9 68A.818. 28 10 New Code section 68A.819 provides that persons making 28 11 certain independent expenditures must report such expenditures 28 12 to the board, along with an affidavit affirming that the 28 13 expenditure has not been coordinated with the candidate or 28 14 party. Alleged violations of the coordination affirmation are 28 15 subject to an expedited hearing procedure. 28 16 Persons making certain electioneering communications must 28 17 also report to the board, pursuant to new Code section 68A.820. 28 18 New Code section 68A.821 provides that the board shall 28 19 administer a voter information program, including establishment 28 20 of an advisory council, to provide voters with election=related 28 21 information, including a voter guide with candidate 28 22 biographical material, policy statements, voting records, and 28 23 whether the candidate funds the campaign with public or private 28 24 money. 28 25 New Code section 68A.825 provides the board with certain 28 26 specific enforcement powers and duties in relation to the 28 27 new subchapter, and new Code section 68A.827 provides for an 28 28 election cycle report by the board to the general assembly on 28 29 the public financing process. 28 30 New Code section 68A.826 creates a civil right of action for 28 31 citizens alleging that a candidate has violated the law. 28 32 Violations of the public financing process are subject 28 33 to aggravated misdemeanor penalties, pursuant to new Code 28 34 section 68A.829. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable 28 35 by confinement for no more than two years and a fine of at 29 1 least $625 but not more than $6,250. New Code section 68A.828 29 2 provides for repayment of certain excess expenditures by the 29 3 candidate. 29 4 New Code sections 68A.610 and 422.12I create an income tax 29 5 checkoff for the voter=owned Iowa clean elections fund. This 29 6 checkoff allows a person to direct that $5 of that person's 29 7 state income tax liability be paid over to the Iowa voter=owned 29 8 clean elections fund. 29 9 Code section 422.7, new subsection 59, is enacted to 29 10 provide up to a $200 exemption from income for purposes of the 29 11 individual income tax for contributions to the Iowa voter=owned 29 12 clean elections fund. 29 13 Code section 556.18 is amended to provide that $10 million 29 14 shall be annually transferred from the proceeds from the sale 29 15 by the state of lost or unclaimed property to the voter=owned 29 16 Iowa clean elections fund. 29 17 The sections of the bill enacting the income tax checkoff, 29 18 the exemption from the individual income tax, and the transfer 29 19 in Code section 556.18 take effect January 1, 2018. The 29 20 remainder of the bill takes effect November 4, 2020, which 29 21 is the day after the 2020 general election day, to allow the 29 22 public financing process to commence with a new campaign cycle. 29 23 New Code section 68A.804 provides guidelines for disposition of 29 24 money collected by candidates prior to the effective date of 29 25 the public financing process. 29 26 The bill may include a state mandate as defined in Code 29 27 section 25B.3. The bill makes inapplicable Code section 25B.2, 29 28 subsection 3, which would relieve a political subdivision from 29 29 complying with a state mandate if funding for the cost of 29 30 the state mandate is not provided or specified. Therefore, 29 31 political subdivisions are required to comply with any state 29 32 mandate included in the bill. LSB 1841YH (2) 87 aw/sc
