AB255: Bill Text

LRB-1401/1

JTK:skg:kaf

1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE

1995 Assembly BILL 255

March 23, 1995 - Introduced by Representatives Otte, Baldwin, Handrick, R. Young, Goetsch, Baumgart, Urban, Lazich, Skindrud, Hahn, Owens, Brandemuehl, Albers, Olsen, Seratti, Gunderson, Grothman and Zukowski, cosponsored by Senator A. Lasee. Referred to Committee on Elections and Constitutional Law.

AB255,1,2 An Act to create 11.24 (1s) of the statutes; relating to: itemization of certain in-kind contributions to candidates for state or local office.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Currently, when an individual or committee makes an expenditure which benefits a candidate, it is considered an "in-kind contribution", and the candidate must report that expenditure as a contribution received from that individual or committee, unless the individual or committee first files an oath with the appropriate state or local filing officer or agency affirming its independence of any candidate whom it supports or whose opponent it opposes.

This bill provides that no person may make an in-kind contribution exceeding $100 in amount or value to a candidate or personal campaign committee unless the candidate who benefits from the contribution or another individual who is authorized by that candidate first provides that person with written authorization to make the contribution on behalf of that candidate. Violators are subject to a forfeiture (civil penalty) of not more than $500 for each violation. Intentional violators are guilty of a misdemeanor and are subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB255, s. 1 Section 1. 11.24 (1s) of the statutes is created to read:

AB255,1,6 11.24 (1s) (a) In this subsection, "in-kind contribution" means a disbursement made by a contributor to procure a thing of value or service for the benefit of a registrant who or which authorizes the disbursement to be made.

AB255,2,5 (b) No person may make an in-kind contribution exceeding $100 in amount or value to a candidate or personal campaign committee unless the candidate who benefits from the contribution or another individual who is authorized by that candidate first provides that person with written authorization to make the contribution on behalf of that candidate.

AB255,2,6 (End)