The bill also requires that the contributions must be received from individuals
who are residents of this state and, in the case of a candidate for legislative office,
the contributions must be received from individuals who reside in the district in
which the candidate seeks office.
In addition, the bill requires a candidate who seeks a grant to agree not to accept
any contributions from special interest committees.
The bill revises grant amounts to the following, irrespective of contributions
received from other sources:
1. For candidates for the office of governor and lieutenant governor jointly,
$670,000.
2. For a candidate for the office of attorney general, $135,000.
3. For a candidate for the office of secretary of state, state treasurer,
superintendent of public instruction, or justice of the supreme court, $67,000.
4. For a candidate for the office of state senator, $40,000.
5. For a candidate for the office of representative to the assembly, $20,000.
In addition to these amounts, the bill provides that a candidate who accepts a
grant shall receive an additional grant in an amount equal to 1) the amount of any
contributions that are received by special interest committees for the purpose of
making independent disbursements to oppose that candidate or to support that
candidate's opponent and the total amount of contributions that those committees
report that they intend to make to oppose that candidate or to support that
candidate's opponent; 2) the total amount of contributions that conduits report they
have transferred or intend to transfer to opposing candidates; and 3) the total
amount of contributions accepted by opposing candidates above the level for which
24-hour reports are required.
Under the bill, qualifying amounts and grant amounts are subject to a biennial
cost-of-living adjustment, beginning in 2004, in accordance with a formula tied to
the "consumer price index" determined by the U.S. department of labor.
Penalties for violations
Currently, violators of the campaign finance law are subject to a forfeiture (civil
penalty) of not more than $500 for each violation, except that violators of
contribution limitations are subject to a forfeiture of not more than treble the amount
unlawfully contributed. In addition, currently, any person who is delinquent in filing
a report is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $50 or one percent of the annual
salary of the office for which a candidate is being supported or opposed, whichever
is greater, for each day of delinquency. Currently, any person who makes an unlawful

contribution is subject to a forfeiture of treble the amount of the unlawful
contribution.
Currently, whoever intentionally violates certain provisions of the campaign
finance law, such as registration requirements, contribution limitations, the
prohibition against making contributions in the name of another person, the
prohibition against using contributions for most nonpolitical purposes, and the
prohibition against filing false reports and statements may be fined not more than
$1,000 or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both, if the violation does not
exceed $100 in amount or value, and may be fined not more than $10,000 or
imprisoned for not more than four years and six months, or both, if the violation
exceeds $100 in amount or value.
This bill provides that if any candidate or other individual or committee,
including a conduit, accepts or transfers a contribution, makes a disbursement, or
incurs an obligation to make a disbursement for the purpose of supporting or
opposing a candidate for a major state office (governor, lieutenant governor, attorney
general, secretary of state, state treasurer, state superintendent of public
instruction, or justice of the supreme court) or for the purpose of making certain
communications by means of communications media (see above) without first
registering and reporting to the extent required under the bill, the offender is subject
to a forfeiture (civil penalty) of not more than $500 for each day of violation. The bill
also provides that if any of these individuals or committees accepts or transfers one
or more contributions, makes one or more disbursements, or incurs one or more
obligations to make disbursements for such a purpose in an amount that is more or
less than the amount reported by that individual or committee:
l. By more than 5% but not more than 10%, the individual or committee must
forfeit four times the amount of the difference.
2. By more than 10% but not more than 15%, the individual or committee must
forfeit six times the amount of the difference.
3. By more than 15%, the individual or committee must forfeit eight times the
amount of the difference.
The bill also provides that if the amount of contributions accepted or
transferred, disbursements made, or obligations incurred differs from the amount
reported by at least 15%, and the violations are of sufficient severity to have affected
the result of the election, the elections board, the district attorney for any county
where a violation occurs, or any candidate who is adversely affected by the result of
the election in connection with which the violation occurred may file suit to have the
election nullified and to have a new election ordered for the affected office.
In addition, the bill imposes a new penalty upon any person who, with intent
to conceal or deceive, accepts or transfers a contribution, makes a disbursement, or
incurs an obligation to make a disbursement for the purpose of supporting or
opposing a candidate for a major state office or for the purpose of making certain
communications by means of communications media (see above) without registering
or reporting to the extent required under the bill, consisting of a fine of not more than
$10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both (equivalent to a class
E felony).

Nonseverability
Currently, if any part of an act is found by a court to be invalid, those parts that
are valid are severed from the invalid part, and the severed parts continue in force.
This bill provides that if any part of the act resulting from enactment of the bill is
found by a court to be invalid, then all parts of the act are void.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB104, s. 1 1Section 1. 5.02 (13) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,11,72 5.02 (13) "Political party" or "party" means a state committee registered under
3s. 11.05 organized exclusively for political purposes under whose name candidates
4appear on a ballot at any election, and all county, congressional, legislative, local and
5other affiliated committees authorized to operate under the same name. For
6purposes of ch. 11, the term does not include a legislative campaign committee or a
7committee filing an oath under s. 11.06 (7).
SB104, s. 2 8Section 2. 5.02 (18) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,11,129 5.02 (18) "September primary" means the primary held the 2nd Tuesday in
10September to nominate candidates to be voted for at the general election, and to
11determine which candidates for state offices other than district attorney may
12participate in the Wisconsin election campaign clean government fund.
SB104, s. 3 13Section 3. 7.08 (2) (c) and (cm) of the statutes are amended to read:
SB104,12,614 7.08 (2) (c) As soon as possible after the canvass of the spring and September
15primary votes, but no later than the first Tuesday in March and the 4th Tuesday in
16September, transmit to the state treasurer a certified list of all eligible candidates
17for state office who have filed applications under s. 11.50 (2) and whom who the board
18determines to be is eligible to receive payments from the Wisconsin election

1campaign
clean government fund. The board shall also transmit a similar list of
2candidates who the board determines is eligible to receive a grant under s. 11.50 (9)
3(b), (ba), (bb), or (bc) within 3 days after any candidate qualifies to receive such a
4grant. Each
list shall contain each candidate's name, the mailing address indicated
5upon the candidate's registration form, the office for which the individual is a
6candidate and the party or principle which he or she represents, if any.
SB104,12,187 (cm) As soon as possible after the canvass of a special primary, or the date that
8the primary would be held, if required, transmit to the state treasurer a certified list
9of all eligible candidates for state office who have filed applications under s. 11.50 (2)
10and whom who the board determines to be is eligible to receive a grant from the
11Wisconsin election campaign clean government fund prior to the election. The board
12shall also transmit a similar list of candidates, if any, who have filed applications
13under s. 11.50 (2) and whom who the board determines to be is eligible to receive a
14grant under s. 11.50 (1) (a) 2. after the special election. The or a grant under s. 11.50
15(9) (b), (ba), (bb), or (bc) within 3 days after any candidate qualifies to receive such
16a grant. Each
list shall contain each candidate's name, the mailing address indicated
17upon the candidate's registration form, the office for which the individual is a
18candidate and the party or principle which he or she represents, if any.
SB104, s. 4 19Section 4. 8.35 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,13,220 8.35 (4) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), any unspent and unencumbered moneys
21received by a candidate from the Wisconsin election campaign clean government
22fund shall be immediately transferred to any candidate who is appointed to replace
23such candidate, upon filing of a proper application therefor under s. 11.50 (2). If there
24is no candidate appointed or if no proper application is filed within 7 days of the date

1on which the vacancy occurs, such moneys shall revert to the state as provided in s.
211.50 (8).
SB104, s. 5 3Section 5. 10.02 (3) (b) 2m. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,13,134 10.02 (3) (b) 2m. At the September primary, the elector shall select the party
5ballot of his or her choice or the ballot containing the names of the independent
6candidates for state office, and make a cross [8] in the square at the right of or
7depress the lever or button next to the candidate's name for each office for whom the
8elector intends to vote or insert or write in the name of the elector's choice for a party
9candidate, if any. In order to qualify for participation in the Wisconsin election
10campaign
clean government fund, a candidate for state office at the September
11primary, other than a candidate for district attorney, must receive at least 6% of all
12votes cast on all ballots for the office for which he or she is a candidate, in addition
13to other requirements.
SB104, s. 6 14Section 6. 11.01 (5m) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,13,1915 11.01 (5m) "Conduit" means an individual who or an organization a committee
16which receives a contribution of money and transfers the contribution to another
17individual or organization committee without exercising discretion as to the amount
18which is transferred and the individual to whom or organization committee to which
19the transfer is made.
SB104, s. 7 20Section 7. 11.01 (12s) of the statutes is repealed.
SB104, s. 8 21Section 8. 11.01 (16) (a) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
SB104,14,322 11.01 (16) (a) 3. A communication that is made by means of one or more
23communications media, other than a communication that is exempt from reporting
24under s. 11.29, that is made during the period beginning on the 60th day preceding
25an election and ending on the date of that election and that includes a reference to

1a candidate whose name is certified under s. 7.08 (2) (a) or 8.50 (1) (d) to appear on
2the ballot at that election, a reference to an office to be filled at that election or a
3reference to a political party.
SB104, s. 9 4Section 9. 11.05 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,14,85 11.05 (3) (c) In the case of a committee, a statement as to whether the
6committee is a personal campaign committee, a political party committee, a
7legislative campaign committee,
a support committee or a special interest
8committee.
SB104, s. 10 9Section 10. 11.05 (3) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
SB104,14,1010 11.05 (3) (d) An indication of whether the proposed registrant is a conduit.
SB104, s. 11 11Section 11. 11.05 (3) (o) of the statutes is repealed.
SB104, s. 12 12Section 12. 11.05 (9) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,14,1813 11.05 (9) (b) An individual who or a committee or group which receives a
14contribution of money and transfers the contribution to another individual,
15committee or group while acting as a conduit is not subject to registration under this
16section unless the individual, committee or group transfers the contribution to a
17candidate or a personal campaign, legislative campaign, political party or support
18committee.
SB104, s. 13 19Section 13. 11.06 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,15,520 11.06 (2) Disclosure of certain indirect disbursements. Notwithstanding
21sub. (1), if a disbursement is made or obligation incurred by an individual other than
22a candidate or by a committee or group which is not primarily organized for political
23purposes, and the disbursement does not constitute a contribution to any candidate
24or other individual, committee or group, the disbursement or obligation is required
25to be reported only if the purpose is to expressly advocate the election or defeat of a

1clearly identified candidate or the adoption or rejection of a referendum or if the
2disbursement is made or the obligation incurred to make a communication that is
3specified in s. 11.01 (16) (a) 3
. The exemption provided by this subsection shall in no
4case be construed to apply to a political party, legislative campaign, personal
5campaign or support committee.
SB104, s. 14 6Section 14. 11.06 (7m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,15,217 11.06 (7m) (a) If a committee which was registered under s. 11.05 as a political
8party committee or legislative campaign committee supporting candidates of a
9political party files an oath under sub. (7) affirming that it does not act in cooperation
10or consultation with any candidate who is nominated to appear on the party ballot
11of the party at a general or special election, that the committee does not act in concert
12with, or at the request or suggestion of, such a candidate, that the committee does
13not act in cooperation or consultation with such a candidate or agent or authorized
14committee of such a candidate who benefits from a disbursement made in opposition
15to another candidate, and that the committee does not act in concert with, or at the
16request or suggestion of, such a candidate or agent or authorized committee of such
17a candidate who benefits from a disbursement made in opposition to another
18candidate, the committee filing the oath may not make any contributions in support
19of any candidate of the party at the general or special election or in opposition to any
20such candidate's opponents exceeding the amounts specified in s. 11.26 (2), except as
21authorized in par. (c).
SB104, s. 15 22Section 15. 11.06 (7m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,16,423 11.06 (7m) (c) A committee filing an oath under sub. (7) which desires to change
24its status to a political party committee or legislative campaign committee may do
25so as of December 31 of any even-numbered year. Section 11.26 does not apply to

1contributions received by such a committee prior to the date of the change. Such a
2committee may change its status at other times only by filing a termination
3statement under s. 11.19 (1) and reregistering as a newly organized committee under
4s. 11.05.
SB104, s. 16 5Section 16. 11.09 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,16,146 11.09 (3) Each registrant whose filing officer is the board, who or which makes
7disbursements in connection with elections for offices which serve or referenda
8which affect only one county or portion thereof, except a candidate, personal
9campaign committee, political party committee or other committee making
10disbursements in support of or in opposition to a candidate for state senator,
11representative to the assembly, court of appeals judge or circuit judge, shall file a
12duplicate original of each financial report filed with the board with the county clerk
13or board of election commissioners of the county in which the elections in which the
14registrant participates are held. Such reports
SB104,16,17 15(3m) Each report under this section shall be filed no later than the applicable
16dates specified under s. 11.20 (2), (2e), (2m), (2s), (2t), and (4) for the filing of each
17the report with the board.
SB104, s. 17 18Section 17. 11.12 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,17,519 11.12 (5) If Except as otherwise required under sub. (7), if any contribution or
20contributions of $500 or more cumulatively are received by a candidate for state office
21or by a committee or individual from a single contributor later than 15 days prior to
22a primary or election such that it is not included in the preprimary or preelection
23report submitted under s. 11.20 (3), the treasurer of the committee or the individual
24receiving the contribution shall within 24 hours of receipt inform the appropriate
25filing officer of the information required under s. 11.06 (1) in such manner as the

1board may prescribe. The information shall also be included in the treasurer's or
2individual's next regular report. For purposes of the reporting requirement under
3this subsection, only contributions received during the period beginning with the day
4after the last date covered on the preprimary or preelection report, and ending with
5the day before the primary or election need be reported.
SB104, s. 18 6Section 18. 11.12 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 11.12 (6) (a) and amended
7to read:
SB104,17,248 11.12 (6) (a) If any an individual or committee makes a disbursement of more
9than $20 cumulatively is made to advocate the election or defeat of a clearly
10identified candidate by an individual or committee later than 15 days prior to a
11primary or election in which the candidate's name appears on the ballot without
12cooperation or consultation with a candidate or agent or authorized committee of a
13candidate who is supported or whose opponent is opposed, and not in concert with
14or at the request or suggestion of such a candidate, agent, or committee, the
15individual or treasurer of the committee shall, within 24 hours of after making the
16disbursement, inform the appropriate filing officer of the information required under
17s. 11.06 (1) in such manner as the board may prescribe. The information shall also
18be included in the next regular report of the individual or committee under s. 11.20.
19For purposes of this subsection paragraph, disbursements cumulate beginning with
20the day after the last date covered on the preprimary or preelection report and ending
21with the day before the primary or election. Upon receipt of a report under this
22subsection paragraph, the filing officer shall, within 24 hours of receipt, mail a copy
23of the report to all candidates for any office in support of or opposition to one of whom
24a disbursement identified in the report is made.
SB104, s. 19 25Section 19. 11.12 (6) (b) to (e) of the statutes are created to read:
SB104,18,9
111.12 (6) (b) 1. If any conduit has accepted or intends to accept any contribution
2to be transferred to a candidate or personal campaign committee of a candidate for
3a state office specified in s. 11.31 (1) (a) to (d), (e), or (f) at the general or a special
4election, or to any such candidate who seeks a nomination for such an office at a
5primary election, the conduit shall report to the board at the times specified in s.
611.20 (2s), in such manner as the board may prescribe, the name of each candidate
7or personal campaign committee to whom the conduit intends to transfer one or more
8contributions during the 21-day period following the date on which the report is due
9to be filed and the amount to be transferred to that candidate or committee.
SB104,18,1410 2. A conduit who or which is required to file reports under this paragraph shall
11also report to the board, at the times specified in s. 11.20 (2t), in such manner as the
12board may prescribe, the name of each candidate or personal campaign committee
13to whom the conduit transferred one or more contributions during the 21-day period
14ending on each date specified in s. 11.20 (2t) and the date and amount of that transfer.
SB104,19,415 (c) 1. If any committee identified under s. 11.05 (3) (c) as a special interest
16committee, other than a conduit, intends to receive any contribution, make any
17disbursement, or incur any obligation to make a disbursement for the purpose of
18advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for a state office
19specified in s. 11.31 (1) (a) to (d), (e), or (f) at the general or a special election, or any
20such candidate who seeks a nomination for such an office at a primary election,
21without cooperation or consultation with a candidate or agent or authorized
22committee of a candidate who is supported or whose opponent is opposed, and not in
23concert with or at the request or suggestion of such a candidate, agent, or committee,
24the committee shall report to the board at the times specified in s. 11.20 (2s), in such
25manner as the board may prescribe, the name of each candidate who is supported or

1whose opponent is opposed and the total amount of contributions to be received,
2disbursements to be made, and obligations to be incurred for such a purpose in
3support or opposition to that candidate during the 21-day period following the date
4on which the report is due to be filed.
SB104,19,125 2. A committee which is required to file reports under this paragraph shall also
6report to the board, at the times specified in s. 11.20 (2t), in such manner as the board
7may prescribe, the amount and date of each contribution received, disbursement
8made, or obligation incurred for the purpose of advocating the election or defeat of
9a candidate specified in this paragraph in the manner specified in this paragraph,
10and the name of the candidate in support of or in opposition to whom the contribution
11was received, disbursement made, or obligation incurred, during the 21-day period
12ending on each date specified in s. 11.20 (2t).
SB104,19,1513 3. A committee which files a report under this paragraph concerning a
14disbursement is not required to file a report pertaining to the same disbursement
15under par. (a).
SB104,19,1716 (d) All information reported by a registrant under this subsection shall also be
17included in the next regular report of the registrant under s. 11.20.
SB104,20,318 (e) 1. If any committee identified under s. 11.05 (3) (c) as a special interest
19committee, other than a conduit, intends to make one or more contributions to a
20candidate for a state office specified in s. 11.31 (1) (a) to (d), (e), or (f) at the general
21or a special election, or to any such candidate who seeks a nomination for such an
22office at a primary election, or to the personal campaign committee of any such
23candidate, the committee shall report to the board at the times specified in s. 11.20
24(2s), in such manner as the board may prescribe, the name of each candidate or
25personal campaign committee to whom the committee intends to make one or more

1contributions during the 21-day period following the date on which the report is due
2to be filed and the amount or value of the contributions to be made to that candidate
3or committee.
SB104,20,94 2. A committee who or which is required to file reports under this paragraph
5shall also report to the board, at the times specified in s. 11.20 (2t), in such manner
6as the board may prescribe, the name of each candidate or personal campaign
7committee to whom the committee made one or more contributions during the
821-day period ending on each date specified in s. 11.20 (2t) and the date and amount
9or value of that contribution.
SB104, s. 20 10Section 20. 11.12 (7) (a) of the statutes is created to read:
SB104,20,2211 11.12 (7) (a) Except as provided in par. (c), if a candidate at the general or a
12special election for a state office specified in s. 11.31 (1) (a) to (d), (e), or (f) does not
13accept a grant under s. 11.50, that candidate or the candidate's personal campaign
14committee shall report to the board the information specified in s. 11.06 (1)
15pertaining to all contributions received no later than 24 hours after receipt of any
16contribution, in such manner as the board may prescribe, if the candidate or personal
17campaign committee receives, during the campaign of that candidate, as defined in
18s. 11.26 (17), or if the candidate has an opponent whose name is certified to appear
19on the ballot as a candidate for the party nomination of his or her party in a primary
20election in that campaign, during the period beginning on the day after the date of
21the primary election and ending on the date of the election, total contributions that
22equal more than the following amount or value, as adjusted under par. (d):
SB104,20,2423 1. For candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor jointly,
24$330,000 from all political party committees or $1,670,000 from all contributors.
SB104,21,2
12. For a candidate for the office of attorney general, $65,000 from all political
2party committees or $335,000 from all contributors.
SB104,21,43 3. For a candidate for the office of secretary of state or state treasurer, $33,000
4from all political party committees or $167,000 from all contributors.
SB104,21,65 4. For a candidate for the office of justice or state superintendent, $167,000
6from all contributors.
SB104,21,87 5. For a candidate for the office of state senator, $20,000 from all political party
8committees or $100,000 from all contributors.
SB104,21,109 6. For a candidate for the office of representative to the assembly, $10,000 from
10all political party committees or $50,000 from all contributors.
SB104, s. 21 11Section 21. 11.12 (7) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
SB104,21,1512 11.12 (7) (b) The first report filed by a candidate or personal campaign
13committee under par. (a) during any campaign shall include the information
14required under par. (a) for all contributions received since the closing date for the
15preceding report filed by that candidate or committee as provided in s. 11.20 (8).
SB104, s. 22 16Section 22. 11.12 (7) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
SB104,21,2217 11.12 (7) (c) For purposes of computing the applicable amount under par. (a),
18if one of the candidates of a political party for the office of governor or lieutenant
19governor has an opponent whose name is certified to appear on the ballot as a
20candidate for the party nomination of his or her party in the September primary
21election, the contributions received on or before the date of the primary election by
22the candidate who has an opponent in that election shall be excluded.
SB104, s. 23 23Section 23. 11.12 (7) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
SB104,22,3
111.12 (7) (d) 1. In this paragraph, "consumer price index" means the average
2of the consumer price index over each 12-month period, all items, U.S. city average,
3as determined by the bureau of labor statistics of the federal department of labor.
SB104,22,184 2. The dollar amounts of the total contributions under par. (a) shall be subject
5to a biennial adjustment to be determined by rule of the board in accordance with this
6subdivision. To determine the adjustment, the board shall calculate the percentage
7difference between the consumer price index for the 12-month period ending on
8December 31 of each odd-numbered year and the consumer price index for calendar
9year 2003. For each biennium, the board shall multiply the amount of each
10contribution amount under par. (a) by the percentage difference in the consumer
11price indices. The board shall adjust each amount to substitute that result for the
12existing amount to the extent required to reflect any difference, rounded to the
13nearest multiple of $25. The amount so determined shall then be in effect until a
14subsequent rule is promulgated under this subdivision. Notwithstanding s. 227.24
15(1) (a), (2) (b), and (3), determinations under this subdivision may be promulgated
16as an emergency rule under s. 227.24 without providing evidence that the emergency
17rule is necessary for the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and without a finding
18of emergency.
SB104, s. 24 19Section 24. 11.16 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB104,23,920 11.16 (5) Escrow agreements. Any personal campaign committee, or political
21party committee or legislative campaign committee may, pursuant to a written
22escrow agreement with more than one candidate, solicit contributions for and
23conduct a joint fund raising effort or program on behalf of more than one named
24candidate. The agreement shall specify the percentage of the proceeds to be
25distributed to each candidate by the committee conducting the effort or program.

1The committee shall include this information in all solicitations for the effort or
2program. All contributions received and disbursements made by the committee in
3connection with the effort or program shall be received and disbursed through a
4separate depository account under s. 11.14 (1) that is identified in the agreement.
5For purposes of s. 11.06 (1), the committee conducting the effort or program shall
6prepare a schedule in the form prescribed by the board supplying all required
7information under s. 11.06 (1) and items qualifying for exclusion under s. 11.31 (6)
8for the effort or program, and shall transmit a copy of the schedule to each candidate
9who receives any of the proceeds within the period prescribed in s. 11.06 (4) (c).
SB104, s. 25 10Section 25. 11.20 (2e) of the statutes is created to read:
SB104,23,1411 11.20 (2e) Postelection reports under s. 11.06 (1) with respect to an election for
12a state office specified in s. 11.31 (1) (a) to (d), (e), or (f) shall be received by the board
13no earlier than 4 days after and no later than 10 days after each general election at
14which that office is filled.
SB104, s. 26 15Section 26. 11.20 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:
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