Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1125, sub-§2, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, is amended to read:

2. Restrictions on contributions for participating candidates. Subsequent to becoming a candidate as defined by section 1, subsection 5 and prior to certification, a participating candidate may not accept contributions, except for seed money contributions and individual contributions of $50 or less, up to a maximum of $2000. A participating candidate must limit the candidate's seed money contributions to the following amounts:

A. Fifty thousand dollars for a gubernatorial candidate;

B. One thousand five hundred dollars for a candidate for the State Senate; or

C. Five hundred dollars for a candidate for the State House of Representatives.

The commission may, by rule, revise these the amounts of seed money contributions to ensure the effective implementation of this chapter.

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §1125, sub-§5, ¶D, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, is amended to read:

D. Not accepted contributions, except for seed money contributions and individual contributions of $50 or less up to a maximum of $2000, and otherwise complied with seed money restrictions; and

Sec. 3. 21-A MRSA §1125, sub-§§6, 9 and 13, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, are amended to read:

6. Restrictions on contributions and expenditures for certified candidates. After certification, a candidate must limit the candidate's campaign expenditures and obligations, including outstanding obligations, to the revenues distributed to the candidate from the fund and may not accept any contributions, except for individual contributions of $50 or less up to a maximum of $2000, unless specifically authorized by the commission. All revenues distributed to certified candidates from the fund must be used for campaign-related purposes. The commission shall publish guidelines outlining permissible campaign-related expenditures.