C. A candidate who is required to file a report under paragraph A must file with the commission an updated report that reports single expenditures in the following amounts that are made after the 14th day before an election and more than 48 24 hours before 5:00 p.m. on the date of that election:

(1) For a candidate for Governor, a single expenditure of $1,000;

(2) For a candidate for the state Senate, a single expenditure of $750; and

(3) For a candidate for the state House of Representatives, a single expenditure of $500.

A report filed pursuant to this paragraph must be filed within 48 24 hours of the expenditure.

Sec. B-4. 21-A MRSA §1017-A, sub-§4-A, ¶E, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 302, §3, is amended to read:

E. A state party committee shall report any expenditure of $500 or more, made after the 12th day before the election and more than 48 24 hours before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the election, within 48 24 hours of that expenditure or by noon of the first business day after the expenditure, whichever is later.

Sec. B-5. 21-A MRSA §1059, sub-§2, ¶E, as repealed and replaced by PL 1989, c. 833, §20, is amended to read:

E. A committee shall report any expenditure of $500 or more, made after the 12th day before the election and more than 48 24 hours before 5 p.m. on the day of the election, within 48 24 hours of that expenditure or by noon of the first business day after the expenditure, whichever is later.

SUMMARY

Part A of this bill provides greater flexibility to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices to reduce the statutory penalties for the late filing of campaign finance reports. In addition, the bill authorizes the commission to assess penalties for certain violations for which current law prescribes only criminal sanctions.