AB277: Bill Text

LRB-0291/1

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1997 - 1998 LEGISLATURE

1997 Assembly BILL 277

April 11, 1997 - Introduced by Representatives Seratti, Ladwig, Brandemuehl, Freese, Zukowski, Ainsworth, Musser, Porter, Owens, Goetsch, Kreibich, Grothman, Lazich, Gunderson, F. Lasee and Ryba. Referred to Committee on Campaign Finance Reform.

AB277,1,3 An Act to create 11.60 (3m) of the statutes; relating to: false reporting of certain disbursements and obligations under the campaign finance law and providing a penalty.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Currently, if an individual who or committee which is required to file a report under the campaign finance law files a false report, the individual or committee is subject to a forfeiture (civil penalty) of not more than $500.

This bill provides, in lieu of this penalty, that if an individual who or committee which makes disbursements (expenditures) or incurs obligations in support of or in opposition to a candidate independently of any candidate who is supported or whose opponent is opposed files a report which understates or overstates by more than $1,000 the cumulative amount of disbursements made or obligations incurred by the individual or committee as of any date during the 7-day period preceding any primary or other election, the individual or committee must forfeit an amount equal to the amount overstated or understated in excess of $1,000.

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

AB277, s. 1 Section 1. 11.60 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,2,8 11.60 (3m) Notwithstanding sub. (1), if an individual who or committee which is required to file an oath under s. 11.06 (7) files a report under this chapter which overstates or understates by more than $1,000 the cumulative total amount of disbursements made or obligations incurred by the individual or committee in support of or in opposition to any candidate as of any date during the 7-day period preceding any primary or other election at which the name of that candidate appears on the ballot, the individual or committee shall forfeit an amount equal to the amount overstated or understated in excess of $1,000.

AB277,2,9 (End)