Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1122, sub-§§1, 5 and 6, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, are amended to read:

1. Certified candidate. "Certified candidate" means a candidate running for Governor, State Senator or, State Representative or county office who chooses to participate in the Maine Clean Election Act and who is certified as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate under section 1125, subsection 5.

5. Nonparticipating candidate. "Nonparticipating candidate" means a candidate running for Governor, State Senator or, State Representative or county office who does not choose to participate in the Maine Clean Election Act and who is not seeking to be certified as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate under section 1125, subsection 5.

6. Participating candidate. "Participating candidate" means a candidate who is running for Governor, State Senator or, State Representative or county office who is seeking to be certified as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate under section 1125, subsection 5.

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §1122, sub-§8, ¶B, as amended by PL 2001, c. 465, §3, is further amended to read:

B. For State Senate or, State House of Representatives or county participating candidates, the qualifying period begins January 1st of the election year and ends at 5:00 p.m. on April 15th of that election year unless the candidate is unenrolled, in which case the period ends at 5:00 p.m. on June 2nd of the election year.

Sec. 3. 21-A MRSA §1123, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, is amended to read:

§1123. Alternative campaign financing option

This chapter establishes an alternative campaign financing option available to candidates running for Governor, State Senator and, State Representative and county office. This alternative campaign financing option is available to candidates for elections to be held beginning in the year 2000. The commission shall administer this Act and the fund. Candidates participating in the Maine Clean Election Act must also comply with all other applicable election and campaign laws and regulations.