AB1082,1,7 1An Act to amend 8.35 (4) (a) 1. a., 8.35 (4) (a) 1. b., 11.06 (1) (e), 11.07 (5), 11.12
2(2), 11.16 (2), 11.19 (1), 11.25 (2) (b) and 11.38 (6); to repeal and recreate 8.35
3(4) (a) 1. a., 8.35 (4) (a) 1. b., 11.06 (1) (e), 11.07 (5), 11.12 (2), 11.16 (2), 11.19 (1),
411.26 (1t), 11.26 (2t) and 11.38 (6); and to create 11.65, 20.510 (1) (qm), 25.17
5(1) (hs) and 25.426 of the statutes; relating to: investigation of illegal
6campaign finance activity, creating an illegal activity investigation fund and
7making an appropriation.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Currently, violations of the campaign finance law may be investigated and
prosecuted as civil offenses by the Elections Board or by the district attorney for the
county where a violation is alleged to occur. District attorneys may also prosecute
criminal violations.
This bill creates a segregated state fund called the "Illegal Activity
Investigation Fund," which is financed by unrestricted gifts made to the fund by
political committees and groups and other persons. Under the bill, moneys in this
fund are appropriated to the Elections Board for the purpose of investigating
suspected violations of the campaign finance law.
Currently, with certain exceptions, a registrant under the campaign finance
law may only use moneys that are solicited for political purposes. However,

contributions that are received and accepted contrary to law and residual moneys on
hand when a registrant discontinues campaign finance activity may be donated to
the common school fund or to a charitable organization.
This bill permits any campaign finance registrant to donate money to the illegal
activity investigation fund.
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:
AB1082, s. 1 1Section 1. 8.35 (4) (a) 1. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1082,2,72 8.35 (4) (a) 1. a. Donated to the former candidate's local or state political party
3if the former candidate was a partisan candidate or donated to the a charitable
4organization of or the illegal activity investigation fund, as directed by the former
5candidate's choice, or to the charitable organization chosen candidate, or by the
6former candidate's next of kin if the former candidate is deceased, or if no choice is
7made returned to the donors on a proportional basis; or
AB1082, s. 2 8Section 2. 8.35 (4) (a) 1. a. of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act
9109
, is repealed and recreated to read:
AB1082,2,1510 8.35 (4) (a) 1. a. If the former candidate was a partisan candidate, donated to
11the former candidate's local or state political party, donated to a charitable
12organization or transferred to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin election
13campaign fund or the illegal activity investigation fund, as instructed by the former
14candidate or, if the candidate left no instruction, by the former candidate's next of
15kin; or
AB1082, s. 3 16Section 3. 8.35 (4) (a) 1. b. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1082,3,317 8.35 (4) (a) 1. b. If the former candidate was a nonpartisan candidate, donated
18to the a charitable organization of or to the illegal activity investigation fund, as

1directed by
the former candidate's choice or the charitable organization chosen
2candidate or by the former candidate's next of kin if the former candidate is deceased;
3or
AB1082, s. 4 4Section 4. 8.35 (4) (a) 1. b. of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act
5109
, is repealed and recreated to read:
AB1082,3,106 8.35 (4) (a) 1. b. If the former candidate was a nonpartisan candidate, donated
7to a charitable organization or transferred to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin
8election campaign fund or the illegal activity investigation fund, as instructed by the
9former candidate or, if the candidate left no instruction, by the former candidate's
10next of kin; or
AB1082, s. 5 11Section 5. 11.06 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1082,3,1512 11.06 (1) (e) An itemized statement of contributions over $20 from a single
13source donated to a charitable organization or, to the common school fund, or to the
14illegal activity investigation fund
, with the full name and mailing address of the
15donee.
AB1082, s. 6 16Section 6. 11.06 (1) (e) of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 109,
17is repealed and recreated to read:
AB1082,3,2218 11.06 (1) (e) An itemized statement of contributions over $20 from a single
19source donated to a charitable organization or to the common school fund, with the
20full name and mailing address of the donee, and a statement of contributions over
21$20 transferred to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin election campaign fund or
22the illegal activity investigation fund.
AB1082, s. 7 23Section 7. 11.07 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1082,4,424 11.07 (5) Any campaign treasurer or individual who knowingly receives a
25contribution made by an unregistered nonresident in violation of this section may

1not use or expend such contribution but shall immediately return it to the source or
2at the option of the campaign treasurer or individual, donate the contribution to a
3charitable organization or, to the common school fund, or to the illegal activity
4investigation fund
.
AB1082, s. 8 5Section 8. 11.07 (5) of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 109, is
6repealed and recreated to read:
AB1082,4,137 11.07 (5) Any campaign treasurer or individual who knowingly receives a
8contribution made by an unregistered nonresident in violation of this section may
9not use or expend such contribution but shall immediately return it to the source or
10at the option of the campaign treasurer or individual, donate the contribution to a
11charitable organization or to the common school fund or transfer the contribution to
12the board for deposit in the Wisconsin election campaign fund or the illegal activity
13investigation fund.
AB1082, s. 9 14Section 9. 11.12 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1082,4,1915 11.12 (2) Any anonymous contribution exceeding $10 received by a campaign
16or committee treasurer or by an individual under s. 11.06 (7) may not be used or
17expended. The contribution shall be donated to the common school fund or the illegal
18activity investigation fund
or to any charitable organization at the option of the
19treasurer.
AB1082, s. 10 20Section 10. 11.12 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 109,
21is repealed and recreated to read:
AB1082,5,222 11.12 (2) Any anonymous contribution exceeding $10 received by a campaign
23or committee treasurer or by an individual under s. 11.06 (7) may not be used or
24expended. The contribution shall be donated to the common school fund or to any
25charitable organization or transferred to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin

1election campaign fund or the illegal activity investigation fund, at the option of the
2treasurer.
AB1082, s. 11 3Section 11. 11.16 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1082,5,104 11.16 (2) Limitation on cash contributions. Every contribution of money
5exceeding $50 shall be made by negotiable instrument or evidenced by an itemized
6credit card receipt bearing on the face the name of the remitter. No treasurer may
7accept a contribution made in violation of this subsection. The treasurer shall
8promptly return the contribution, or donate it to the common school fund or the
9illegal activity investigation fund,
or to a charitable organization in the event that
10the donor cannot be identified.
AB1082, s. 12 11Section 12. 11.16 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 109,
12is repealed and recreated to read:
AB1082,5,2013 11.16 (2) Limitation on cash contributions. Every contribution of money
14exceeding $50 shall be made by negotiable instrument or evidenced by an itemized
15credit card receipt bearing on the face the name of the remitter. No treasurer may
16accept a contribution made in violation of this subsection. The treasurer shall
17promptly return the contribution, donate the contribution to the common school fund
18or to a charitable organization, or transfer the contribution to the board for deposit
19in the Wisconsin election campaign fund or the illegal activity investigation fund in
20the event that the donor cannot be identified.
AB1082, s. 13 21Section 13. 11.19 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1082,6,1222 11.19 (1) Whenever any registrant disbands or determines that obligations will
23no longer be incurred, and contributions will no longer be received nor disbursements
24made during a calendar year, and the registrant has no outstanding incurred
25obligations, the registrant shall file a termination report with the appropriate filing

1officer. Such report shall indicate a cash balance on hand of zero at the end of the
2reporting period and shall indicate the disposition of residual funds. Residual funds
3may be used for any political purpose not prohibited by law, returned to the donors
4in an amount not exceeding the original contribution, or donated to a charitable
5organization or, the common school fund , or the illegal activity investigation fund.
6The report shall be filed and certified as were previous reports, and shall contain the
7information required by s. 11.06 (1). A registrant to which s. 11.055 (1) applies shall
8pay the fee imposed under that subsection with a termination report filed under this
9subsection. If a termination report or suspension report under sub. (2) is not filed,
10the registrant shall continue to file periodic reports with the appropriate filing
11officer, no later than the dates specified in s. 11.20. This subsection does not apply
12to any registrant making an indication under s. 11.05 (2r).
AB1082, s. 14 13Section 14. 11.19 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 109,
14is repealed and recreated to read:
AB1082,7,715 11.19 (1) Whenever any registrant disbands or determines that obligations will
16no longer be incurred, and contributions will no longer be received nor disbursements
17made during a calendar year, and the registrant has no outstanding incurred
18obligations, the registrant shall file a termination report with the appropriate filing
19officer. Such report shall indicate a cash balance on hand of zero at the end of the
20reporting period and shall indicate the disposition of residual funds. Residual funds
21may be used for any political purpose not prohibited by law, returned to the donors
22in an amount not exceeding the original contribution, transferred to the board for
23deposit in the Wisconsin election campaign fund or donated to a charitable
24organization, the common school fund, or the illegal activity investigation fund. The
25report shall be filed and certified as were previous reports, and shall contain the

1information required by s. 11.06 (1). A registrant to which s. 11.055 (1) applies shall
2pay the fee imposed under that subsection with a termination report filed under this
3subsection. If a termination report or suspension report under sub. (2) is not filed,
4the registrant shall continue to file periodic reports with the appropriate filing
5officer, no later than the dates specified in s. 11.20 and, if the registrant files reports
6under s. 11.21 (16), no later than the times specified in s. 11.21 (16). This subsection
7does not apply to any registrant making an indication under s. 11.06 (2m).
AB1082, s. 15 8Section 15. 11.25 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1082,7,229 11.25 (2) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), a registrant may accept contributions
10and make disbursements from a campaign depository account for the purpose of
11making expenditures in connection with a campaign for national office; for payment
12of civil penalties incurred by the registrant under this chapter but not under any
13other chapter; for the purpose of making a donation to the illegal activity
14investigation fund;
or for payment of the expenses of nonpartisan campaigns to
15increase voter registration or participation. Notwithstanding par. (a), a personal
16campaign committee or support committee may accept contributions and make
17disbursements from a campaign depository account for payment of inaugural
18expenses of an individual who is elected to state or local office. If such expenses are
19paid from contributions made to the campaign depository account, they are
20reportable under s. 11.06 (1) as disbursements. Otherwise, such expenses are not
21reportable under s. 11.06 (1). If contributions from the campaign depository account
22are used for such expenses, they are subject to s. 11.26.
AB1082, s. 16 23Section 16. 11.26 (1t) of the statutes, as created by 2001 Wisconsin Act 109,
24is repealed and recreated to read:
AB1082,8,13
111.26 (1t) The limitations under sub. (1m) apply to any candidate for legislative
2office who files an affidavit under s. 11.31 (2m) (a) but who the board determines is
3ineligible to receive a grant from the Wisconsin election campaign fund, who
4withdraws his or her application for a grant under s. 11.50 (2) (h), or to whom s. 11.50
5(2) (i) applies, unless the candidate subsequently files an affidavit under s. 11.31 (2m)
6(b). Any such candidate who has received a contribution that exceeds the amount
7specified for the office the candidate seeks under sub. (1m) before the date on which
8a limitation under sub. (1m) applies to the candidate shall return the excess amount
9of the contribution to the contributor, donate it to the common school fund or to any
10charitable organization, or transfer it to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin
11election campaign fund or the illegal activity investigation fund. If a candidate for
12legislative office files an affidavit under s. 11.31 (2m) (b), the limitations under sub.
13(1) apply to that candidate beginning on the date that the affidavit is filed.
AB1082, s. 17 14Section 17. 11.26 (2t) of the statutes, as created by 2001 Wisconsin Act 109,
15is repealed and recreated to read:
AB1082,9,316 11.26 (2t) The limitations under sub. (2m) apply to any candidate for legislative
17office who files an affidavit under s. 11.31 (2m) (a) but who the board determines is
18ineligible to receive a grant from the Wisconsin election campaign fund, who
19withdraws his or her application for a grant under s. 11.50 (2) (h), or to whom s. 11.50
20(2) (i) applies, unless the candidate subsequently files an affidavit under s. 11.31 (2m)
21(b). Any such candidate who has received a contribution that exceeds the amount
22specified for the office the candidate seeks under sub. (2m) before the date on which
23a limitation under sub. (2m) applies to the candidate shall return the excess amount
24of the contribution to the contributor, donate it to the common school fund or to any
25charitable organization, or transfer it to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin

1election campaign fund or the illegal activity investigation fund. If a candidate for
2legislative office files an affidavit under s. 11.31 (2m) (b), the limitations under sub.
3(2) apply to that candidate beginning on the date that the affidavit is filed.
AB1082, s. 18 4Section 18. 11.38 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1082,9,85 11.38 (6) Any individual or campaign treasurer who receives funds in violation
6of this section shall promptly return such funds to the contributor or donate the funds
7to the common school fund or the illegal activity investigation fund or a charitable
8organization, at the treasurer's option.
AB1082, s. 19 9Section 19. 11.38 (6) of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 109,
10is repealed and recreated to read:
AB1082,9,1511 11.38 (6) Any individual or campaign treasurer who receives funds in violation
12of this section shall promptly return such funds to the contributor, donate the funds
13to the common school fund or a charitable organization or transfer the funds to the
14board for deposit in the Wisconsin election campaign fund or the illegal activity
15investigation fund, at the treasurer's option.
AB1082, s. 20 16Section 20. 11.65 of the statutes is created to read:
AB1082,9,19 1711.65 Donations to illegal activity investigation fund. Any committee,
18group, or other person may make an unrestricted donation to the illegal activity
19investigation fund by gift or bequest.
AB1082, s. 21 20Section 21. 20.510 (1) (qm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB1082,9,2321 20.510 (1) (qm) Investigation of illegal campaign finance activity. From the
22illegal activity investigation fund, a sum sufficient to investigate suspected illegal
23campaign finance activity.
AB1082, s. 22 24Section 22. 25.17 (1) (hs) of the statutes is created to read:
AB1082,9,2525 25.17 (1) (hs) Illegal activity investigation fund (s. 25.426);
AB1082, s. 23
1Section 23. 25.426 of the statutes is created to read:
AB1082,10,4 225.426 Illegal activity investigation fund. There is established a separate
3nonlapsible trust fund to be designated as the illegal activity investigation fund,
4consisting of all moneys donated to the fund.
AB1082, s. 24 5Section 24. Nonstatutory provisions.
AB1082,10,126 (1) Notwithstanding section 990.001 (1) of the statutes, if a court finds that all
7or any portion of section 8.35 (4) (a) 1. a. and b., 11.06 (1) (e), 11.07 (5), 11.12 (2), 11.16
8(2), 11.19 (1), 11.26 (1t) or (2t) or 11.38 (6) of the statutes, as repealed and recreated
9by this act, or any part of the laws specified in 2001 Wisconsin Act 109, section 9115
10(2y), is unconstitutional, then the repeal and recreation of sections 8.35 (4) (a) 1. a.
11and b., 11.06 (1) (e), 11.07 (5), 11.12 (2), 11.16 (2), 11.19 (1), 11.26 (1t) and (2t) and
1211.38 (6) of the statutes by this act is void in its entirety.
AB1082,10,1313 (End)
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