AB843: Bill Text

AB843,23,2 (11m) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure, other than a disbursement, made for the purpose of making a communication that is made during the period beginning on the 30th day preceding a primary election for an office to be filled at a general, special, or spring election and the date of that general, special, or spring election or, if no primary is held, during the period beginning on the 60th day preceding a general, special, or spring election at which the office is filled and the date of that election; that contains a reference to a clearly identified candidate for an office specified in s. 11.31 (1) (a) to (d), (e), or (f) to be filled at that election; that is made without cooperation or consultation with such a candidate, or any authorized committee or agent of such a candidate; and that is not made in concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, such a candidate, or any authorized committee or agent of such a candidate.

AB843, s. 8 Section 8. 11.01 (12s) of the statutes is repealed.

AB843, s. 9 Section 9. 11.01 (13), (14), (17g) and (17r) of the statutes are created to read:

AB843,23,6 11.01 (13) "Mass mailing" means the distribution of 50 or more pieces of substantially identical material.

AB843,23,8 (14) "National political party committee" means a national committee as defined in 2 USC 431 (14).

AB843,23,12 (17g) "Public access channel" means a channel that is required under a franchise granted under s. 66.0419 (3) (b) by a city, village, or town to a cable operator, as defined in s. 66.0419 (2) (b), and that is used for public access purposes, but does not include a channel that is used for governmental or educational purposes.

AB843,23,14 (17r) "Public access channel operator" means a person designated by a city, village, or town as responsible for the operation of a public access channel.

AB843, s. 10 Section 10. 11.05 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 11.05 (1) (a) and amended to read:

AB843,23,24 11.05 (1) (a) Except as provided in s. 9.10 (2) (d), every committee, other than a personal campaign committee, and every political group subject to registration under s. 11.23 which that makes or accepts contributions, incurs obligations or makes disbursements in a calendar year in an aggregate amount in excess of $25 shall file a statement with the appropriate filing officer giving the information required by sub. (3). In the case of any committee other than a personal campaign committee, the statement shall be filed by the treasurer. A personal campaign committee shall register under sub. (2g) or (2r).

AB843, s. 11 Section 11. 11.05 (1) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,24,4 11.05 (1) (b) Every political group subject to registration under s. 11.23 which makes or accepts contributions, incurs obligations, or makes disbursements in a calendar year in an aggregate amount in excess of $100 shall file a statement with the appropriate filing officer giving the information required by sub. (3).

AB843, s. 12 Section 12. 11.05 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 11.05 (2) (a) and amended to read:

AB843,24,14 11.05 (2) (a) Except as provided in s. 9.10 (2) (d), every individual, other than a candidate or agent of a candidate, who accepts contributions, incurs obligations, or makes disbursements with respect to one or more elections for state or local office in a calendar year in an aggregate amount in excess of $25 shall file a statement with the appropriate filing officer giving the information required by sub. (3). An individual who guarantees a loan on which an individual, committee or group subject to a registration requirement defaults is not subject to registration under this subsection solely as a result of such default.

AB843, s. 13 Section 13. 11.05 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,24,19 11.05 (2)(b) Every individual who accepts contributions, incurs obligations, or makes disbursements with respect to one or more referenda in a calendar year in an aggregate amount in excess of $100 shall file a statement with the appropriate filing officer giving the information required by sub. (3).

AB843, s. 14 Section 14. 11.05 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,24,24 11.05 (3) (c) In the case of a committee, a statement as to whether the committee is a personal campaign committee, a political party committee, a legislative campaign committee, a support committee, or a special interest committee.

AB843, s. 15 Section 15. 11.05 (3) (o) of the statutes is repealed.

AB843, s. 16 Section 16. 11.05 (3) (q) of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,25,4 11.05 (3) (q) In the case of a political party committee, an indication of whether the committee is a state or national political party committee, or a state or national subunit or state or national affiliate of such a committee.

AB843, s. 17 Section 17. 11.05 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,25,16 11.05 (7) Notwithstanding sub. (6), any Any individual or organization who or which has received property or funds which were not intended for political purposes in connection with an election for state or local office at the time of receipt may make contributions or disbursements from such property or funds in connection with an election for state or local office if the individual or organization complies with applicable provisions of sub. (1), (2) or (2g) as soon as such intent changes. For purposes of s. 11.06 (1), all property or funds which are in a registrant's the possession of such an individual or organization on the date of registration under this section shall be treated as received on the date that such intent changes so that the property or funds are to be used for political purposes in connection with an election for state or local office.

AB843, s. 18 Section 18. 11.05 (9) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,25,23 11.05 (9) (b) An individual who or a committee or group which receives a contribution of money and transfers the contribution to another individual, committee, or group while acting as a conduit is not subject to registration under this section unless the individual, committee, or group transfers the contribution to a candidate or a personal campaign, legislative campaign, political party, or support committee.

AB843, s. 19 Section 19. 11.05 (12) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,26,9 11.05 (12) (b) Except as authorized under sub. (13), a committee, group or individual other than a candidate or agent of a candidate shall comply with sub. (1) or (2) no later than the 5th business day commencing after receipt of the first contribution by such committee, group or individual, and before making any disbursement. No committee, group or individual, other than a candidate or agent of a candidate, may accept any contribution or contributions exceeding $25 in the aggregate the amount specified in sub. (1) or (2) during a calendar year at any time when the committee, group or individual is not registered under this section except within the initial 5-day period authorized by this paragraph.

AB843, s. 20 Section 20. 11.06 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,26,17 11.06 (1) Contents of report. (intro.) Except as provided in subs. (2), (3) and (3m) and ss. 11.05 (2r) and 11.19 (2), each registrant under s. 11.05 shall make full reports, upon a form prescribed by the board and signed by the appropriate individual under sub. (5), of all contributions received, contributions or disbursements made, and obligations incurred. Each report shall contain the following information, covering the period since the last date covered on the previous report, unless otherwise provided:

AB843, s. 21 Section 21. 11.06 (1) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,26,24 11.06 (1) (cm) If a candidate wishes to make disbursements that are exempt from the limitations under s. 11.26 (9), as provided under s. 11.26 (9m), a separate schedule itemizing those contributions that the candidate intends to use to make disbursements that are exempt from those limitations. The separate schedule may include contributions previously reported by the candidate and, if so, shall indicate the amounts and dates on which those contributions were reported as received.

AB843, s. 22 Section 22. 11.06 (1) (dm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,27,4 11.06 (1) (dm) A separate schedule itemizing those contributions that were transferred to the registrant by a conduit, together with the name and address of the conduit, the date and amount of each transfer, and the cumulative total amount transferred to the registrant by the conduit for the calendar year.

AB843, s. 23 Section 23. 11.06 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,27,14 11.06 (2) Disclosure of certain indirect disbursements. Notwithstanding sub. (1), if a disbursement is made or obligation incurred by an individual other than a candidate or by a committee or group which is not primarily organized for political purposes, and the disbursement does not constitute a contribution to any candidate or other individual, committee, or group, the disbursement or obligation is required to be reported only if the purpose is to expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the adoption or rejection of a referendum. The exemption provided by this subsection shall in no case be construed to apply to a political party, legislative campaign, personal campaign, or support committee.

AB843, s. 24 Section 24. 11.06 (3) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,27,19 11.06 (3) (b) (intro.) Notwithstanding sub. (1), a A nonresident registrant shall report on a form prescribed by the board the applicable information that makes a report under sub. (1) shall ensure that the report separately states information under sub. (1) concerning all of the following, in a manner prescribed by the board:

AB843, s. 25 Section 25. 11.06 (7m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,28,10 11.06 (7m) (a) If a committee which was registered under s. 11.05 as a political party committee or legislative campaign committee supporting candidates of a political party files an oath under sub. (7) affirming that it does not act in cooperation or consultation with any candidate who is nominated to appear on the party ballot of the party at a general or special election, that the committee does not act in concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, such a candidate, that the committee does not act in cooperation or consultation with such a candidate or agent or authorized committee of such a candidate who benefits from a disbursement made in opposition to another candidate, and that the committee does not act in concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, such a candidate or agent or authorized committee of such a candidate who benefits from a disbursement made in opposition to another candidate, the committee filing the oath may not make any contributions in support of any candidate of the party at the general or special election or in opposition to any such candidate's opponents exceeding the applicable amounts specified in s. 11.26 (1), (1m), and (2), except as authorized in par. (c).

AB843, s. 26 Section 26. 11.06 (7m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,28,17 11.06 (7m) (b) If the committee has already made contributions in excess of the applicable amounts specified in s. 11.26 (1), (1m), or (2) at the time it files an oath under sub. (7), each candidate to whom contributions are made shall promptly return a sufficient amount of contributions to bring the committee in compliance with this subsection and the committee may not make any additional contributions in violation of this subsection.

AB843, s. 27 Section 27. 11.06 (7m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,28,25 11.06 (7m) (c) A committee filing an oath under sub. (7) which desires to change its status to a political party committee or legislative campaign committee may do so as of December 31 of any even-numbered year. Section 11.26 does not apply to contributions received by such a committee prior to the date of the change. Such a committee may change its status at other times only by filing a termination statement under s. 11.19 (1) and reregistering as a newly organized committee under s. 11.05.

AB843, s. 28 Section 28. 11.06 (11) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,29,3 11.06 (11) (bm) The board shall prescribe a separate schedule for reporting under s. 11.06 (1) by transferees of contributions transferred by conduits.

AB843, s. 29 Section 29. 11.065 of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,29,19 11.065 Independent expenditures. (1) (a) If any person makes one or more communications to be financed with independent expenditures exceeding $2,000 in the aggregate, that person shall file a report with the board. The report shall be made whenever the person makes one or more communications financed or to be financed with independent expenditures exceeding $2,000 in the aggregate and whenever the person makes one or more additional communications financed or to be financed with independent expenditures exceeding $2,000 in the aggregate that are not identified in a previous report under this subsection. Reports required under this subsection shall be filed within 7 days after the date that communications financed with independent expenditures exceeding $2,000 in the aggregate that are not identified in a previous report are made or, if communications are made within 15 days of the date of a spring primary or election or within 15 days of a September or special primary or general or special election, then within 24 hours after the date that communications financed with independent expenditures exceeding $2,000 in the aggregate that are not identified in a previous report are made.

AB843,30,2 (b) If a person makes or incurs an obligation to make a single independent expenditure for the purpose of financing communications that are to be made on more than one day, the person may report the entire expenditure under par. (a) for the day on which the person makes the first communication financed by the expenditure, or the person may report for each day on which the person makes one or more communications financed by the expenditure the proportionate amount of the expenditure attributable to the cost of the communication or communications made on that day.

AB843,30,3 (2) Each report filed under sub. (1) shall contain the following information:

AB843,30,5 (a) The name of each candidate who is identified in each communication financed by an independent expenditure.

AB843,30,8 (b) A statement as to whether the communication is intended to support or oppose any candidate who is identified under par. (a) and if so, the name of that candidate.

AB843,30,11 (c) The total amount or value of the independent expenditure and the cumulative aggregate independent expenditures made by the person with respect to that election.

AB843,30,21 (3) If a person who makes an independent expenditure does not indicate whether an independent expenditure is made against a candidate or for an eligible candidate's opponent, if the report under sub. (2) reasonably appears to be incorrect, or if any candidate for the office that the candidate identified in the communication seeks, including the candidate identified in the communication, files a statement with the board alleging that information reported under sub. (2) (b) is incorrect, the board may obtain a copy of the communication and, after examination, determine whether the communication was intended to support or oppose a candidate for purposes of s. 11.31 (3r) (a). Any determination made by the board under this subsection applies solely for the purpose of administration of s. 11.31 (3r) (a).

AB843, s. 30 Section 30. 11.07 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,31,7 11.07 (1) Every nonresident committee or group making contributions and every nonresident individual, committee or group making disbursements exceeding $25 cumulatively the amount specified in s. 11.05 (1) or (2) in a calendar year within this state shall file the name, mailing and street address and the name and the mailing and street address of a designated agent within the state with the office of the secretary of state. An agent may be any adult individual who is a resident of this state. After any change in the name or address of such agent the new address or name of the successor agent shall be filed within 30 days. Service of process in any proceeding under this chapter or ch. 12, or service of any other notice or demand may be made upon such agent.

AB843, s. 31 Section 31. 11.07 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,31,14 11.07 (5) Any campaign treasurer or individual who knowingly receives a contribution made by an unregistered nonresident in violation of this section may not use or expend such contribution but shall immediately return it to the source or, at the option of the campaign treasurer or individual, donate the contribution to a charitable organization or to the common school fund or transfer the contribution to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin election campaign fund.

AB843, s. 32 Section 32. 11.09 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,32,3 11.09 (3) Each registrant whose filing officer is the board, and who or which makes disbursements in connection with elections for offices which serve or referenda which affect only one county or portion thereof, except a candidate, personal campaign committee, political party committee or other committee making disbursements in support of or in opposition to a candidate for state senator, representative to the assembly, court of appeals judge or circuit judge, shall file a duplicate original of each financial report filed that the registrant files with the board with the county clerk or board of election commissioners of the county in which the elections filing officer for each jurisdiction in connection with an election in which the registrant participates are held makes disbursements. Such reports shall be filed no later than the dates specified under s. 11.20 (2) and (4) for the filing of each report with the board. This subsection does not apply to a registrant who or which files reports under s. 11.21 (16).

AB843, s. 33 Section 33. 11.10 (6) of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,32,8 11.10 (6) (a) No personal campaign committee of, or support committee authorized under s. 11.05 (3) (p) by, a candidate for state office may become the personal campaign committee of, or support committee authorized under s. 11.05 (3) (p) by, a candidate for local office.

AB843,32,12 (b) No personal campaign committee of, or support committee authorized under s. 11.05 (3) (p) by, a candidate for local office may become the personal campaign committee of, or support committee authorized under s. 11.05 (3) (p) by, a candidate for state office.

AB843, s. 34 Section 34. 11.12 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,32,18 11.12 (2) Any anonymous contribution exceeding $10 received by a campaign or committee treasurer or by an individual under s. 11.06 (7) may not be used or expended. The contribution shall be donated to the common school fund or to any charitable organization or transferred to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin election campaign fund, at the option of the treasurer.

AB843, s. 35 Section 35. 11.12 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,32,23 11.12 (4) Each registrant shall report contributions, disbursements and incurred obligations in accordance with s. 11.20. Except as permitted under s. 11.06 (2), (3) and (3m), each report shall contain the information which is required under s. 11.06 (1).

AB843, s. 36 Section 36. 11.12 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 11.12 (6) (a) and amended to read:

AB843,33,23 11.12 (6) (a) If any disbursement of more than $20 individual or committee incurs one or more obligations or makes one or more disbursements in an amount exceeding $250 cumulatively is made for the purpose of making one or more communications to advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate by an individual or committee later than 15 days prior to a primary or election in which the candidate's name appears on the ballot without cooperation or consultation with a candidate or agent or authorized committee of a candidate who is supported or opposed, and not in concert with or at the request or suggestion of such a candidate, agent or committee, the individual or treasurer of the committee shall, within 24 hours of after making the disbursement each communication not identified in a previous report filed under this subsection, inform the appropriate filing officer of. The report shall include the information required under s. 11.06 (1) and shall be made in such manner as the board may prescribe. The information shall also be included in the next regular report of the individual or committee under s. 11.20. For purposes of this subsection, obligations and disbursements cumulate beginning with the day after the last date covered on the preprimary or preelection report and ending with the day before the primary or election and disbursements made for the purpose of payment of obligations that were previously reported are not included in determining the cumulative amount of obligations and disbursements. Upon receipt of a report identifying any obligation or disbursement under this subsection, the filing officer shall, within 24 hours of receipt, mail a copy of the report to all candidates for any office in support of or opposition to one of whom an obligation is incurred or a disbursement identified in the report is made.

AB843, s. 37 Section 37. 11.12 (6) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,34,8 11.12 (6) (b) If a person incurs an obligation or makes a disbursement for the purpose of financing communications that are to be made on more than one day, the person may report the entire obligation or disbursement under par. (a) for the day on which the person makes the first communication financed by the obligation or disbursement, or the person may report for each day on which the person makes one or more communications financed by the obligation or disbursement the proportionate amount of the obligation or disbursement attributable to the cost of the communication or communications made on that day.

AB843, s. 38 Section 38. 11.16 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,34,17 11.16 (2) Limitation on cash contributions. Every contribution of money exceeding $50 shall be made by negotiable instrument or evidenced by an itemized credit card receipt bearing on the face the name of the remitter. No treasurer may accept a contribution made in violation of this subsection. The treasurer shall promptly return the contribution, or shall donate it the contribution to the common school fund or to a charitable organization or transfer the contribution to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin election campaign fund in the event that the donor cannot be identified.

AB843, s. 39 Section 39. 11.16 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,35,8 11.16 (5) Escrow agreements. Any personal campaign committee, or political party committee or legislative campaign committee may, pursuant to a written escrow agreement with more than one candidate, solicit contributions for and conduct a joint fund raising effort or program on behalf of more than one named candidate. The agreement shall specify the percentage of the proceeds to be distributed to each candidate by the committee conducting the effort or program. The committee shall include this information in all solicitations for the effort or program. All contributions received and disbursements made by the committee in connection with the effort or program shall be received and disbursed through a separate depository account under s. 11.14 (1) that is identified in the agreement. For purposes of s. 11.06 (1), the committee conducting the effort or program shall prepare a schedule in the form prescribed by the board supplying all required information under s. 11.06 (1) and items qualifying for exclusion under s. 11.31 (6) for the effort or program, and shall transmit a copy of the schedule to each candidate who receives any of the proceeds within the period prescribed in s. 11.06 (4) (c).

AB843, s. 40 Section 40. 11.19 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,36,2 11.19 (1) Whenever any registrant disbands or determines that obligations will no longer be incurred, and contributions will no longer be received nor disbursements made during a calendar year, and the registrant has no outstanding incurred obligations, the registrant shall file a termination report with the appropriate filing officer. Such report shall indicate a cash balance on hand of zero at the end of the reporting period and shall indicate the disposition of residual funds. Residual funds may be used for any political purpose not prohibited by law, returned to the donors in an amount not exceeding the original contribution, transferred to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin election campaign fund or donated to a charitable organization or the common school fund. The report shall be filed and certified as were previous reports, and shall contain the information required by s. 11.06 (1). A registrant to which s. 11.055 (1) applies shall pay the fee imposed under that subsection with a termination report filed under this subsection. If a termination report or suspension report under sub. (2) is not filed, the registrant shall continue to file periodic reports with the appropriate filing officer, no later than the dates specified in s. 11.20. This subsection does not apply to any registrant making an indication under s. 11.05 (2r).

AB843, s. 41 Section 41. 11.20 (2), (3) (a) and (b) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB843,36,14 11.20 (2) Preprimary and Unless, as of the 14th day preceding a primary or other election at which a candidate seeks office, a candidate is required to file reports under sub. (3) (be), each candidate who seeks office at a primary or other election, or his or her personal campaign committee, shall file a preprimary and preelection reports report under s. 11.06 (1) , which shall be received by the appropriate filing officer no earlier than 14 days and no later than 8 days preceding the primary and the election. Each candidate who is required to file reports under sub. (3) (be), or his or her personal campaign committee, shall file each preprimary and preelection report under sub. (3) (be) so that the report is received by the appropriate filing officer no earlier than the day after the end of the week to which the report pertains and no later than the 5th day after the end of that week.

AB843,36,21 (3) (a) A Unless otherwise required under par. (be), a candidate or personal campaign committee of a candidate at a primary shall file a preprimary and preelection report. If a candidate for a nonpartisan state office at an election is not required to participate in a primary, the candidate or personal campaign committee of the candidate shall file a preprimary report at the time prescribed in sub. (2) or (3) (be) preceding the date specified in s. 5.02 (20) or (22) for the holding of the primary, were it to be required.

AB843,36,23 (b) A Unless otherwise required under par. (be), a candidate or personal campaign committee of a candidate at an election shall file a preelection report.

AB843, s. 42 Section 42. 11.20 (3) (be) of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,37,7 11.20 (3) (be) If a candidate, as of the end of any week before a primary or other election at which the candidate seeks office, has received contributions or other income in a total amount exceeding 20% of the disbursement level specified in s. 11.31 (1), as adjusted under s. 11.31 (9), for the office that the candidate seeks, the candidate or his or her personal campaign committee shall file preprimary or preelection reports for each week prior to the primary or other election for the office that the candidate seeks.

AB843, s. 43 Section 43. 11.20 (8) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,37,10 11.20 (8) (intro.) Reports filed under subs. (2), (3) (be), (4) and (4m) shall include all contributions received and transactions made as of the end of:

AB843, s. 44 Section 44. 11.20 (8) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,37,13 11.20 (8) (a) The 15th day preceding the primary or election in the case of the preprimary and preelection report under sub. (2);

AB843, s. 45 Section 45. 11.20 (8) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB843,37,16 11.20 (8) (am) The Saturday preceding the due date under sub. (2) in the case of a preprimary or preelection report under sub. (3) (be).

AB843, s. 46 Section 46. 11.21 (15) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB843,37,23 11.21 (15) Inform each candidate who files an application to become eligible to receive a grant from the Wisconsin election campaign fund of the dollar amount of the applicable disbursement limitation under s. 11.31 (1), adjusted as provided under s. 11.31 (9), which applies to the office for which such person is a candidate. Failure to receive the notice required by this subsection does not constitute a defense to a violation of s. 11.27 (1) or 11.31.