A person which is not a committee required to register under the bill does not
have to register simply because that person reports expenditures for express
advocacy made during the 60-day period prior to the election.

Contributions
The bill doubles the contribution limits under current law applicable to
candidates for state or local office. Under the bill, every five years, beginning in 2021,
the board will adjust the contribution limits to reflect the percentage change in the
consumer price index during the preceding five-year period.
The bill allows the following contributions to be made in unlimited amounts:
1. Contributions to a political action committee.
2. Contributions transferred between political action committees.
3. Contributions to a legislative campaign committee, except that a political
action committee may contribute no more than $12,000 in any calendar year to a
legislative campaign committee.
4. Contributions to a political party, except that a political action committee
may contribute no more than $12,000 in any calendar year to a political party.
5. Contributions made by a political party or legislative campaign committee
to a candidate committee.
6. Contributions paid to a segregated fund established and administered by a
political party or legislative campaign committee for purposes other than making
contributions to a candidate committee.
7. Contributions that a candidate makes to his or her candidate committee from
the candidate's personal funds.
8. Contributions transferred between the candidates for governor and
lieutenant governor of the same political party.
9. Contributions used to pay legal fees and other expenses incurred as a result
of a recount.
10. Contributions used to pay legal fees and other expenses incurred in
connection with a recall.
11. Contributions to a recall committee.
12. Contributions to a referendum committee.
13. Contributions to an independent expenditure committee.
The bill prohibits corporations, cooperatives, labor organizations, and tribes
from contributing to committees, other than independent expenditure committees
and referendum committees. The bill allows corporations, cooperatives, labor
organizations, and tribes to contribute to a segregated fund established and
administered by a political party or legislative campaign committee for purposes
other than making contributions to a candidate committee.
Coordination
The bill prohibits a person from making an expenditure for express advocacy
that is coordinated with a candidate, candidate committee, candidate's agent,
legislative campaign committee, or political party and that exceeds the contribution
limits or violates the source restrictions established in the bill. An expenditure for
express advocacy is coordinated with such individuals or entities if the individual or
entity exercises control over or engages in substantial discussions with the person
making the expenditure regarding the content, timing, form, or frequency of the

express advocacy. A coordinated expenditure must be reported by the candidate
committee as a contribution.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB387-engrossed,1 1Section 1. 5.02 (13) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,5,72 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)
has the meaning given in s. 11.0101 (26).
AB387-engrossed,2 8Section 2. 5.05 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,5,189 5.05 (2) Auditing. In addition to the facial examination of reports and
10statements required under s. 11.21 (13) 11.1304 (9), the board shall conduct an audit
11of reports and statements which are required to be filed with it to determine whether
12violations of ch. 11 have occurred. The board may examine records relating to
13matters required to be treated in such reports and statements. The board shall make
14official note in the file of a candidate, committee , group or individual under ch. 11,
15as defined in s. 11.0101 (6),
of any error or other discrepancy which the board
16discovers and shall inform the person submitting the report or statement. The board
17may not audit reports, statements, or records beyond the 3-year period for which a
18committee must retain records under ch. 11.
AB387-engrossed,3 19Section 3. 5.05 (2m) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,6,520 5.05 (2m) (d) 2. No employee of the board, while so employed, may become a
21candidate, as defined in s. 11.01 (1) 11.0101 (1), for a state or partisan local office.

1No individual who is retained by the board to serve as a special investigator or as
2special counsel may, while so retained, become a candidate, as defined in s. 11.01 (1)
311.0101 (1), for any state or local office. A filing officer shall decline to accept
4nomination papers or a declaration of candidacy from any individual who does not
5qualify to become a candidate under this paragraph.
AB387-engrossed,4 6Section 4. 5.05 (2m) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,6,157 5.05 (2m) (e) No individual who serves as an employee of the board and no
8individual who is retained by the board to serve as a special investigator or a special
9counsel may, while so employed or retained, make a contribution, as defined in s.
1011.01 (6), to a candidate for state or local office. No individual who serves as an
11employee of the board and no individual who is retained by the board to serve as a
12special investigator or as special counsel, for 12 months prior to becoming so
13employed or retained, may have made a contribution, as defined in s. 11.01 (6), to a
14candidate for a partisan state or local office. In this paragraph, contribution has the
15meaning given in s. 11.0101 (8).
AB387-engrossed,5 16Section 5. 5.05 (5e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,6,2517 5.05 (5e) Biennial report. The board shall include in its biennial report under
18s. 15.04 (1) (d) the names and duties of all individuals employed by the board and a
19summary of its determinations and advisory opinions issued under sub. (6a). Except
20as authorized or required under sub. (5s) (f) 2., the board shall make sufficient
21alterations in the summaries to prevent disclosing the identities of individuals or
22organizations involved in the decisions or opinions. The board may also include in
23its biennial report any information compiled under s. 11.21 (7) 11.1304 (14). The
24board shall make such further reports on the matters within its jurisdiction and such
25recommendations for further legislation as it deems desirable.
AB387-engrossed,6
1Section 6. 6.87 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,7,92 6.87 (3) (b) No elector may direct that a ballot be sent to the address of a
3candidate, political party or other registrant committee registered with the board
4under s. 11.05 chapter 11 unless the elector permanently or temporarily resides at
5that address. Upon receipt of reliable information that an address given by an elector
6is not eligible to receive ballots under this subsection, the municipal clerk shall
7refrain from mailing or transmitting ballots to that address. Whenever possible, the
8municipal clerk shall notify an elector if his or her ballot cannot be mailed or
9transmitted to the address directed by the elector.
AB387-engrossed,7 10Section 7. 7.23 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,7,1311 7.23 (1) (d) Except as provided in s. 11.21 (11) (a), financial Financial reports
12may be destroyed 6 years after the date of receipt. Financial registration statements
13may be destroyed 6 years after termination of registration.
AB387-engrossed,8 14Section 8. 7.40 of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,7,20 157.40 Sample ballots. Any individual, committee or candidate may, at their
16its own expense, and subject to limitations upon contributions and disbursements
17under ch. 11, may print a supply of sample ballots, provided they bear on their each
18sample ballot includes on its
face the information required by s. 11.30 11.1303 (2) and
19they contain all the names shown on the official ballot. In this section, committee
20has the meaning given in s. 11.0101 (6).
AB387-engrossed,9 21Section 9. 7.50 (2) (em) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,8,522 7.50 (2) (em) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, write-in votes
23shall only be counted if no candidates have been certified to appear on the ballot. If
24candidates have a candidate has been certified to appear on the ballot, write-in votes
25may only be counted for candidates who file a candidate that files a registration

1statements statement under s. 11.05 (2g) 11.0202 (1) (a) no later than noon on the
2Friday immediately preceding the election. If a candidate certified to appear on the
3ballot dies or withdraws before the election, all write-in votes shall be counted.
4When write-in votes are counted, every vote shall be counted for the candidate for
5whom it was intended, if the elector's intent can be ascertained from the ballot itself.
AB387-engrossed,10 6Section 10. 8.05 (1) (j) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,8,177 8.05 (1) (j) 2. Upon receipt of the notice, each candidate shall file a declaration
8of candidacy in the manner prescribed by s. 8.21 with the municipal clerk making the
9notification no later than 5 p.m. on the 5th day after the notification is mailed or
10personally delivered to the candidate by the municipal clerk, except as authorized
11in this paragraph. If an incumbent whose name is certified as a nominee fails to file
12a declaration of candidacy within the time prescribed by this paragraph, each
13certified candidate for the office held by the incumbent, other than the incumbent,
14may file a declaration of candidacy no later than 72 hours after the latest time
15prescribed in this paragraph. If the candidate has not filed a registration statement
16under s. 11.05 11.0202 (1) (a) at the time of the notification, the candidate shall file
17the statement with the declaration.
AB387-engrossed,11 18Section 11. 8.10 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,9,219 8.10 (5) Nomination papers shall be accompanied by a declaration of candidacy
20under s. 8.21. If a candidate has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.05
2111.0202 (1) (a) at the time he or she files nomination papers, the candidate shall file
22the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office or municipal judge shall
23also file a statement of economic interests with the board under s. 19.43 (4) no later
24than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers
25under sub. (2) (a), or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last

1day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing nomination
2papers under sub. (2) (a).
AB387-engrossed,12 3Section 12. 8.15 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,9,124 8.15 (4) (b) Nomination papers shall be accompanied by a declaration of
5candidacy under s. 8.21. If a candidate for state or local office has not filed a
6registration statement under s. 11.05 11.0202 (1) (a) at the time he or she files
7nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A
8candidate for state office shall also file a statement of economic interests with the
9board under s. 19.43 (4) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day
10for filing nomination papers under sub. (1), or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next
11business day after the last day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of
12time for filing nomination papers under sub. (1).
AB387-engrossed,13 13Section 13. 8.16 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,9,1514 8.16 (2) (c) If the person is a candidate for state or local office, the person files
15a registration statement under s. 11.05 11.0202 (1) (a).
AB387-engrossed,14 16Section 14. 8.20 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,9,2517 8.20 (6) Nomination papers shall be accompanied by a declaration of candidacy
18under s. 8.21. If a candidate for state or local office has not filed a registration
19statement under s. 11.05 11.0202 (1) (a) at the time he or she files nomination papers,
20the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office
21shall also file a statement of economic interests with the board under s. 19.43 (4) no
22later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers
23under sub. (8) (a), or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last
24day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing nomination
25papers under sub. (8) (a).
AB387-engrossed,15
1Section 15. 8.30 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,10,92 8.30 (2) If no registration statement has been filed by or on behalf of a candidate
3for state or local office in accordance with s. 11.05 (2g) or (2r) 11.0202 (1) (a) by the
4applicable deadline for filing nomination papers by such candidate, or the deadline
5for filing a declaration of candidacy for an office for which nomination papers are not
6filed, the name of the candidate may not appear on the ballot. This subsection may
7not be construed to exempt a candidate from applicable penalties if he or she files a
8registration statement later than the time prescribed in ss. 11.01 (1) and 11.05 (2g)
9s. 11.0202 (1) (a).
AB387-engrossed,16 10Section 16. 8.35 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,10,2411 8.35 (2) (a) If a vacancy occurs after nomination due to the death of a candidate
12of a recognized political party for a partisan office, the vacancy may be filled by the
13chairperson of the committee of the proper political party under s. 7.38, or the
14personal campaign candidate committee, if any, in the case of independent
15candidates. Similar vacancies in nominations of candidates for nonpartisan local
16offices may be filled by the candidate's personal campaign a candidate committee or,
17if the candidate had there is none, by the body which governs the local governmental
18unit in which the deceased person was a candidate for office. The chairperson, chief
19officer of the candidate committee, or clerk of the body making an appointment shall
20file a certificate of appointment with the official or agency with whom declarations
21of candidacy for the office are filed. For purposes of this paragraph, the official or
22agency need not recognize members of a personal campaign candidate committee
23whose names were not filed under s. 11.05 11.0203 (1) (c) prior to the death of the
24candidate.
AB387-engrossed,17 25Section 17. 8.35 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,11,15
18.35 (2) (c) The official or agency with whom a proper certificate is filed under
2par. (b) shall promptly notify the candidate who is nominated and transmit to the
3candidate a declaration of candidacy form and, in the case of a candidate for state or
4local office, a financial registration statement form under s. 11.05 11.0203 (1). No
5later than 5 p.m. on the 3rd day after notification of nomination is mailed or
6personally delivered to the new nominee by the official or agency, the nominee shall
7file a declaration of candidacy and, in the case of a candidate for state or local office,
8a registration statement under s. 11.05 11.0203 (1). No later than 4:30 p.m. on the
93rd day after notification of nomination is mailed or personally delivered to a new
10nominee for state office or municipal judge by the official or agency, the nominee shall
11file a statement of economic interests under s. 19.43 (4). If the nominee fails to file
12the declaration of candidacy, the official or agency may refuse to place the candidate's
13name on the ballot. If the nominee fails to file the registration statement or
14statement of economic interests, the official or agency may not place the candidate's
15name on the ballot.
AB387-engrossed,18 16Section 18. 8.35 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,12,217 8.35 (4) (c) The transfer treasurer of the former candidate's committee shall be
18reported to the appropriate filing officer in a special report submitted by the former
19candidate's campaign treasurer
submit to the appropriate filing officer a special
20report detailing the disposition of funds under par. (a) 1
. If the former candidate is
21deceased and was serving as the treasurer of his or her own campaign treasurer
22committee, the former candidate's petitioner or personal representative shall file the
23report. The report shall include a complete statement of all contributions,
24disbursements, and incurred obligations, pursuant to s. 11.06 (1) 11.0204 (1),

1covering the period from the day after the last date covered on the former candidate's
2most recent report to the date of disposition.
AB387-engrossed,19 3Section 19. 8.35 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,12,74 8.35 (4) (d) The newly appointed candidate shall file his or her report at the
5next appropriate interval under s. 11.20 (2) or (4) 11.0204 after his or her
6appointment. The appointed candidate shall include any transferred funds in his or
7her first report.
AB387-engrossed,20 8Section 20. 8.35 (4) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,12,109 8.35 (4) (e) Any person who violates this subsection may be punished as
10provided under s. 11.60 11.1400 or 11.61 11.1401.
AB387-engrossed,21 11Section 21. 8.50 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,13,212 8.50 (3) (a) Nomination papers may be circulated no sooner than the day the
13order for the special election is filed and shall be filed not later than 5 p.m. 28 days
14before the day that the special primary will or would be held, if required, except when
15a special election is held concurrently with the spring election or general election, the
16deadline for filing nomination papers shall be specified in the order and the date shall
17be no earlier than the date provided in s. 8.10 (2) (a) or 8.15 (1), respectively, and no
18later than 35 days prior to the date of the spring primary or no later than June 1
19preceding the partisan primary. Nomination papers may be filed in the manner
20specified in s. 8.10, 8.15, or 8.20. Each candidate shall file a declaration of candidacy
21in the manner provided in s. 8.21 no later than the latest time provided in the order
22for filing nomination papers. If a candidate for state or local office has not filed a
23registration statement under s. 11.05 11.0202 (1) (a) at the time he or she files
24nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A
25candidate for state office shall also file a statement of economic interests with the

1board no later than the end of the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination
2papers specified in the order.
AB387-engrossed,22 3Section 22. 9.01 (5) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,13,154 9.01 (5) (bm) Upon the completion of its proceedings, a board of canvassers
5shall deliver to the board one copy of the minutes of the proceedings kept under par.
6(a). In addition, in the case of a recount of an election for state or national office, for
7each candidate whose name appears on the ballot for that office under the name of
8a political party, the board of canvassers shall deliver one copy of the minutes to the
9chief officer, if any, who is named in any registration statement filed under s. 11.05
10(1)
11.0302 by the state committee of that political party, and in the case of a recount
11of an election for county office, for each candidate whose name appears on the ballot
12for that office under the name of a political party, the board of canvassers shall
13deliver one copy of the minutes to the chief officer, if any, who is named in any
14registration statement filed under s. 11.05 (1) 11.0302 by the county committee of
15that political party.
AB387-engrossed,23 16Section 23. 9.10 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB387-engrossed,14,417 9.10 (2) (d) No petition may be offered for filing for the recall of an officer unless
18the petitioner first files a registration statement under s. 11.05 (1) or (2) 11.0902 with
19the filing officer with whom the petition is filed. The petitioner shall append to the
20registration a statement indicating his or her intent to circulate a recall petition, the
21name of the officer for whom recall is sought and, in the case of a petition for the recall
22of a city, village, town, town sanitary district, or school district officer, a statement
23of a reason for the recall which is related to the official responsibilities of the official
24for whom removal is sought. No petitioner may circulate a petition for the recall of
25an officer prior to completing registration. The last date that a petition for the recall

1of an officer may be offered for filing is 5 p.m. on the 60th day commencing after
2registration. After the recall petition has been offered for filing, no name may be
3added or removed. No signature may be counted unless the date of the signature is
4within the period provided in this paragraph.
AB387-engrossed,24 5Section 24. Chapter 11 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB387-engrossed,14,77 Campaign financing
AB387-engrossed,14,88 subchapter i
AB387-engrossed,14,99 general provisions
AB387-engrossed,14,16 1011.0100 Construction. This chapter shall be construed to impose the least
11possible restraint on persons whose activities do not directly affect the elective
12process, consistent with the right of the public to have a full, complete, and readily
13understandable accounting of those activities expressly advocating for or against
14candidates for office or for or against referendums. Nothing in this chapter may be
15construed to regulate issue discussion, debate, or advocacy; grassroots outreach or
16lobbying; nonpartisan voter registration or turnout efforts; or the rights of the media.
AB387-engrossed,14,17 1711.0101 Definitions. In this chapter:
AB387-engrossed,14,18 18(1) "Candidate" means an individual about whom any of the following applies:
AB387-engrossed,14,2019 (a) The individual takes any of the following affirmative actions to seek
20nomination or election to a state or local office:
AB387-engrossed,14,2121 1. Files nomination papers with the appropriate filing officer.
AB387-engrossed,14,2422 2. Is nominated as a candidate for state or local office by a caucus under s. 8.05
23(1) or by a political party and the nomination is certified to the appropriate filing
24officer.
AB387-engrossed,15,3
13. Receives a contribution, makes a disbursement, or gives consent for another
2person to receive a contribution or make a disbursement in order to bring about the
3individual's nomination or election to a state or local office.
AB387-engrossed,15,54 (b) The individual holds a state or local office and is the subject of a recall
5petition.
AB387-engrossed,15,66 (c) The individual holds a state or local office.
AB387-engrossed,15,9 7(2) "Candidate committee" means a committee authorized by a candidate or a
8candidate's agent to make or accept contributions or make disbursements in support
9of a candidate's campaign.
AB387-engrossed,15,11 10(3) "Charitable organization" means any organization described in section 170
11(c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
AB387-engrossed,15,15 12(4) "Candidate's agent" means an individual who has control over the
13day-to-day operation of the candidate committee, but does not include an employee
14of a political party or a legislative campaign committee that is not also an employee
15of the candidate.
AB387-engrossed,15,17 16(5) "Clearly identified" means any of the following with regard to a
17communication supporting or opposing a candidate:
AB387-engrossed,15,1818 (a) The candidate's name appears or is stated.
AB387-engrossed,15,1919 (b) A photograph or drawing of the candidate appears.
AB387-engrossed,15,2020 (c) The candidate's identity is apparent by unambiguous reference.
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