An Act To Define "Agent" and "Candidate's Political Committee" in the Laws Regarding Limitations on Campaign Contributions and Expenditures
Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1001, sub-§§1-A and 1-B are enacted to read:
Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §1015, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1989, c. 504, §§7 and 31, is further amended to read:
The financing by any person of the dissemination, distribution or republication, in whole or in part, of any broadcast or any written or other campaign materials prepared by the candidate, the candidate's political committee or committees or their authorized agents is considered to be a contribution to that candidate.
For purposes of this subsection, an individual is deemed part of a candidate's political committee if, at the time of an expenditure or during the 6 months before an expenditure, the individual is:
A business entity engaged by the candidate to provide goods or services to promote the candidate's election is not deemed part of the candidate's political committee. For purposes of this subsection, "business entity" means a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or other legal entity.
summary
This bill defines who is an agent of a candidate or the candidate's political committee for purposes of the laws regarding limitations on campaign contributions and expenditures. The bill also defines "candidate's political committee" based on the existing definition of "political committee" in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 21-A, section 1, subsection 30. Certain individuals in positions of responsibility within a candidate's political campaign, including the treasurer and deputy treasurer, are deemed part of the candidate's political committee. An expenditure made by, or in consultation with, these individuals may not be considered independent of the candidate or the candidate's political committee.