2001 Wisconsin Act 109

(b) If a report filed under s. 11.12 (6) (am) or (c) indicates that disbursements have been made, or are to be made, in any campaign against a candidate, or in support of such a candidate's opponent, or that obligations have been incurred for such a purpose, and if the aggregate total of such disbursements, proposed disbursements, and obligations, less any disbursements made, or to be made, for the purpose of the payment of obligations previously reported, exceeds 5% of the amount specified under s. 11.31 (1) (a) to (de), (e), or (f), for the office that the candidate seeks, as adjusted under s. 11.31 (9), the limitations under subs. (1), (1m), (2), and (2m) applicable to contributions made to that candidate are doubled. In addition, s. 11.24 (1w) and sub. (9) do not apply to any contributions received by the candidate that the candidate intends to use to make disbursements in response to the disbursements, proposed disbursements, or obligations reported under s. 11.12 (6) (am) or (c), as reported by the candidate under s. 11.06 (1) (cm), to the extent that the contributions do not exceed the combined total of all such disbursements and obligations reported under s. 11.12 (6) (am) during the period beginning with the 60th day preceding the general, special, or spring election at which the candidate seeks office and ends with the 31st day preceding that election, together with the total amount of proposed disbursements and obligations reported under s. 11.12 (6) (c), less the amount of any disbursements made, or to be made, for the purpose of the payment of obligations previously reported. If the candidate receives grant moneys under s. 11.50 (4) (bg) or (br), sub. (9) does not apply to those grant moneys.

109,1uek Section 1uek. 11.26 (10) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.26 (10) No candidate for state office who files a sworn statement and an application to receive a grant from the Wisconsin election campaign fund and an affidavit under s. 11.31 (2m) (a) may make contributions of more than 200% of the amounts applicable amount specified in sub. (1) to the candidate's own campaign from the candidate's personal funds or property or the personal funds or property which are owned jointly or as marital property with the candidate's spouse, unless the board determines that the candidate is not eligible to receive a grant, the candidate withdraws his or her application under s. 11.50 (2) (h), or s. 11.31 (3p) or 11.50 (2) (i) applies to the candidate. For purposes of this subsection, any contribution received by a candidate or his or her personal campaign committee from a committee which is registered with the federal elections commission as the authorized committee of the candidate under 2 USC 432 (e) shall be treated as a contribution made by the candidate to his or her own campaign. The contribution limit of sub. (4) applies to amounts contributed by such a candidate personally to the candidate's own campaign and to other campaigns, except that a candidate may exceed the limitation if authorized under this subsection to contribute more than the amount specified to the candidate's own campaign, up to the amount of the limitation.

109,1ueL Section 1ueL. 11.26 (10a) of the statutes is created to read:

11.26 (10a) (a) In this subsection, "consumer price index" means the average of the consumer price index over each 12-month period, all items, U.S. city average, as determined by the bureau of labor statistics of the U.S. department of labor.

(b) The dollar amounts of the limitations under subs. (1), (1m), (2), (2m), (4), (8), and (8n) are subject to a biennial adjustment to be determined by rule of the board in accordance with this subsection. To determine the adjustment, the board shall, in each year that the adjustment is made, calculate the percentage difference between the consumer price index for the 12-month period ending on December 31 of the preceding year and the consumer price index for calendar year 2003. Beginning in 2006 and every 2 years thereafter, the board shall multiply the amount of each limitation under subs. (1), (1m), (2), (2m), (4), (8), and (8n) by the percentage difference in the consumer price indices. The board shall then add that product to the applicable limitation under subs. (1), (1m), (2), (2m), (4), (8), and (8n), round each sum to the nearest multiple of $5, and adjust the amount of each limitation to substitute the resulting amount. The amount so determined shall then be in effect until a subsequent rule is promulgated under this subsection. Notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (a), (2) (b), and (3), determinations under this subsection may be promulgated as an emergency rule under s. 227.24 without providing evidence that the emergency rule is necessary for the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and without a finding of emergency.

109,1uem Section 1uem. 11.26 (15) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.26 (15) The fact that 2 or more committees, other than personal campaign committees, utilize common policies and practices concerning the endorsement of candidates or agree to make contributions only to such endorsed candidates does not affect the right of each committee independently to make contributions up to the applicable amount specified under sub. (1), (1m), (2), or (2m).

109,1uen Section 1uen. 11.26 (17) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.26 (17) (a) For purposes of application of the limitations imposed in subs. (1), (1m), (2), (2m), (9), (9m), and (10), the "campaign" of a candidate begins and ends at the times specified in this subsection.

109,1ueo Section 1ueo. 11.265 of the statutes is repealed.

109,1uep Section 1uep. 11.31 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.31 (1) Schedule. (intro.) The following levels of disbursements are established with reference to the candidates listed below. The levels are subject to adjustment under sub. (9). Except as provided in sub. (2), such levels do not operate to restrict the total amount of disbursements which are made or authorized to be made by any candidate in any primary or other election.

109,1ueq Section 1ueq. 11.31 (1) (a) to (d) of the statutes are amended to read:

11.31 (1) (a) Candidates for governor, $1,078,200 $2,000,000.

(b) Candidates for lieutenant governor, $323,475 $500,000.

(c) Candidates for attorney general, $539,000 $700,000.

(d) Candidates for secretary of state, state treasurer, justice or state superintendent, $215,625 $250,000.

109,1uer Section 1uer. 11.31 (1) (de) of the statutes is created to read:

11.31 (1) (de) Candidates for justice, $300,000.

109,1ues Section 1ues. 11.31 (1) (e) and (f) of the statutes are amended to read:

11.31 (1) (e) Candidates for state senator, $34,500 $100,000 total in the primary and election, with disbursements not exceeding $21,575 $72,000 for either the primary or the election.

(f) Candidates for representative to the assembly, $17,250 $50,000 total in the primary and election, with disbursements not exceeding $10,775 $36,000 for either the primary or the election.

109,1uet Section 1uet. 11.31 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.31 (2) Limitation imposed. No candidate for state office at a spring or general election who files a sworn statement and an application to receive a grant from the Wisconsin election campaign fund and an affidavit under sub. (2m) (a) may make or authorize total disbursements from the his or her campaign treasury in any campaign to the extent of more than the amount prescribed in sub. (1), adjusted as provided under sub. (9), unless the board determines that the candidate is not eligible to receive a grant, the candidate withdraws his or her application under s. 11.50 (2) (h), or s. 11.50 (2) (i) or sub. (3p) applies to that candidate. No candidate for state office at a special election who files a sworn statement and an application to receive a grant from the Wisconsin election campaign fund and an affidavit under sub. (2m) (a) may make or authorize total disbursements from the his or her campaign treasury in any campaign to the extent of more than the amount prescribed under sub. (1), adjusted as provided under sub. (9), for the preceding spring or general election for the same office, unless the board determines that the candidate is not eligible to receive a grant, the candidate withdraws his or her application under s. 11.50 (2) (h), or s. 11.50 (2) (i) or sub. (3p) applies to that candidate.

109,1ueu Section 1ueu. 11.31 (2m) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.31 (2m) (title) Voluntary limitation Affidavit of adherence to limitations.

109,1uev Section 1uev. 11.31 (2m) of the statutes is renumbered 11.31 (2m) (b) and amended to read:

11.31 (2m) (b) Any candidate to whom sub. (2) and s. 11.26 (10) do not apply may file an affidavit with his or her filing officer affirming that he or she has adhered and will adhere to the limitations imposed under sub. (2) and s. 11.26 (10) during the entire campaign. These limitations apply unless the candidate withdraws the affidavit by notifying his or her filing officer in writing no later than the 7th day after the date of the primary in which the person filing the affidavit is a candidate, or the 7th day after the date that the primary would be held, if no primary is required.

109,1uew Section 1uew. 11.31 (2m) (a) of the statutes is created to read:

11.31 (2m) (a) Each candidate who files an application to receive a grant from the Wisconsin election campaign fund shall file an affidavit with the board affirming that the candidate, and his or her authorized agents, have complied with the limitations imposed under sub. (2) and s. 11.26 at all times during which the limitations have applied to his or her candidacy and will continue to comply with the limitations at all times during which the limitations apply to his or her candidacy, unless the board determines that the candidate is not eligible to receive a grant from the fund, the candidate withdraws his or her application for a grant under s. 11.50 (2) (h), or s. 11.50 (2) (i) or sub. (3p) applies to that candidate.

109,1uex Section 1uex. 11.31 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.31 (3) Gubernatorial campaigns. For purposes of compliance with the limitations imposed under sub. (2), candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of the same political party who both accept grants from the Wisconsin election campaign fund may agree to combine disbursement levels under sub. (1) (a) and (b), adjusted as provided under sub. (9), and reallocate the total level between them. The candidates shall each inform the board of any such agreement.

109,1uey Section 1uey. 11.31 (3p) of the statutes is created to read:

11.31 (3p) Candidates receiving additional moneys; exception. If a candidate receives a contribution described in s. 11.26 (9) (a) 1. to 3., a contribution authorized under s. 11.26 (9m), or a grant under s. 11.50 (4) (bg) or (br), the disbursement limitation of that candidate for the campaign in which the contribution or grant is received is increased by the amount of that contribution or grant.

109,1uez Section 1uez. 11.31 (9) of the statutes is created to read:

11.31 (9) Adjustment of disbursement levels. (a) In this subsection, "consumer price index" means the average of the consumer price index over each 12-month period, all items, U.S. city average, as determined by the bureau of labor statistics of the U.S. department of labor.

(b) The dollar amounts of the limitations under sub. (1) are subject to a biennial adjustment to be determined by rule of the board in accordance with this subsection. To determine the adjustment, the board shall, in each year that the adjustment is made, calculate the percentage difference between the consumer price index for the 12-month period ending on December 31 of the preceding year and the consumer price index for calendar year 2003. Beginning in 2006 and every 2 years thereafter, the board shall multiply the amount of each limitation under sub. (1) by the percentage difference in the consumer price indices. The board shall then add that product to the applicable limitation under sub. (1), round each sum to the nearest multiple of $5, and adjust the amount of each limitation to substitute the resulting amount. The amount so determined shall then be in effect until a subsequent rule is promulgated under this subsection. Notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (a), (2) (b), and (3), determinations under this subsection may be promulgated as an emergency rule under s. 227.24 without providing evidence that the emergency rule is necessary for the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and without a finding of emergency.

109,1ufa Section 1ufa. 11.38 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

11.38 (1) (a) 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., any such corporation or association may establish and administer a separate segregated fund and solicit contributions from individuals to the fund to be utilized by such corporation or association, for the purpose of supporting or opposing any candidate for state or local office but the corporation or association may not make any contribution to the fund. The fund shall appoint a treasurer and shall register as a political committee under s. 11.05. A parent corporation or association engaging solely in this activity is not subject to registration under s. 11.05, but shall register and file special reports on forms prescribed by the board disclosing its administrative and solicitation expenses on behalf of such fund. A corporation not domiciled in this state need report only its expenses for administration and solicitation of contributions in this state together with a statement indicating where information concerning other administration and solicitation expenses of its fund may be obtained. The reports shall be filed with the filing officer for the fund specified in s. 11.02 in the manner provided under s. 11.21 (16), if applicable, or otherwise in the manner in which continuing reports are filed under s. 11.20 (4) and (8).

109,1ufb Section 1ufb. 11.38 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.38 (6) Any individual or campaign treasurer who receives funds in violation of this section shall promptly return such funds to the contributor or, donate the funds to the common school fund or a charitable organization or transfer the funds to the board for deposit in the Wisconsin election campaign fund, at the treasurer's option.

109,1ufc Section 1ufc. 11.38 (8) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.38 (8) (b) Except as authorized in s. 11.05 (12) (b) and (13), prior to making any disbursement on behalf of a political group which is promoting or opposing a particular vote at a referendum and prior to accepting any contribution or making any disbursement to promote or oppose a particular vote at a referendum, a corporation or association organized under ch. 185 shall register with the appropriate filing officer specified in s. 11.02 and appoint a treasurer. The registration form of the corporation or association under s. 11.05 shall designate an account separate from all other corporation or association accounts as a campaign depository account, through which all moneys received or expended for the adoption or rejection of the referendum shall pass. The corporation or association shall file periodic reports under s. 11.20 and under s. 11.21 (16), if applicable, providing the information required under s. 11.06 (1).

109,1ufd Section 1ufd. 11.385 of the statutes is created to read:

11.385 Certain contributions prohibited. (1) In this section, "floorperiod" means a floorperiod of the legislature, as scheduled by joint resolution, for a regular legislative session.

(2) Except as provided in subs. (3) to (5), no member of the legislature or personal campaign committee of a member may make or receive any contribution in conjunction with a fund-raising social event held in Dane County during a floorperiod or a special or extraordinary session if the event is held to benefit a member or member's personal campaign committee.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a contribution made or received in connection with a fund-raising social event that is held by a member of the legislature or his or her personal campaign committee during the period between the first day authorized for filing nomination papers for an office for which the member is a candidate and the date of the election for that office, if the event is held within the jurisdiction or district served by the office for which the member is a candidate.

(4) Subsection (2) does not apply to a contribution made or received in connection with a fund-raising social event that is held by a member of the legislature or his or her personal campaign committee during the period between the first day authorized for filing nomination papers for any office other than member of the house of the legislature in which a member serves and the date of the election for that office.

(5) Subsection (2) does not apply to a contribution made or received in connection with a fund-raising social event held during a special or extraordinary session by a member of the legislature or his or her personal campaign committee if the member serves a district that is wholly or partly contained within Dane County, the event is held within the boundaries of that district and invitations to the event are sent before the special or extraordinary session is called.

109,1ufe Section 1ufe. 11.50 (1) (a) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:

11.50 (1) (a) 1. (intro.) For purposes of qualification for a grant from the general account:

109,1uff Section 1uff. 11.50 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is renumbered 11.50 (1) (a) 1. a.

109,1ufg Section 1ufg. 11.50 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is renumbered 11.50 (1) (a) 1. b. and amended to read:

11.50 (1) (a) 1. b. With respect to a special election, an individual who is certified under s. 8.50 (1) (d) as a candidate in a special election for state superintendent, or an individual who is certified under s. 8.50 (1) (d) as a candidate in a special election for any state office, except district attorney, on the ballot or column of a party whose candidate for the same office at the preceding general election received at least 6% of the vote cast for all candidates on all ballots for the office, or an individual who has been lawfully appointed and certified to replace either such individual on the ballot at a special election, or an individual who receives at least 6% of the vote cast for all candidates on all ballots for any state office, except district attorney, at a partisan special election; and who qualifies for a grant under sub. (2). Where the boundaries of a district in which an individual seeks office have been changed since the preceding general election such that it is not possible to calculate the exact number of votes that are needed by that individual to qualify as an eligible candidate prior to an election under this subdivision, the number of votes cast for all candidates for the office at the preceding general election in each ward, combination of wards or municipality which is wholly contained within the boundaries of the newly formed district shall be calculated. If the candidate of the political party on whose ballot or column the individual appears in the newly formed district obtained at least 6% of the number of votes calculated, the individual is deemed to qualify as an eligible candidate prior to the election under this subdivision.

109,1ufh Section 1ufh. 11.50 (1) (a) 2m. of the statutes is created to read:

11.50 (1) (a) 2m. For purposes of qualification for a grant from a political party account, an individual who is certified under s. 7.08 (2) (a) or 8.50 (1) (d) in the general election or a special election as the candidate of an eligible political party for a state office, other than district attorney, or an individual who has been lawfully appointed and certified to replace such an individual on the ballot at the general or a special election and who has qualified for a grant under sub. (2).

109,1ufi Section 1ufi. 11.50 (1) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

11.50 (1) (am) "Eligible political party" means any of the following:

1. A party qualifying under s. 5.62 (1) (b) for a separate ballot or one or more separate columns or rows on a ballot for the period beginning on the date of the preceding general election and ending on the day before the general election that follows that election.

2. A party qualifying under s. 5.62 (2) for a separate ballot or one or more separate columns or rows on a ballot for the period beginning on the preceding June 1, or if that June 1 is in an odd-numbered year, the period beginning on June 1 of the preceding even-numbered year, and ending on May 31 of the 2nd year following that June 1.

109,1ufj Section 1ufj. 11.50 (1) (bm) and (cm) of the statutes are created to read:

11.50 (1) (bm) "General account" means the account in the fund created under sub. (2w).

(cm) "Political party account" means an account in the fund created under sub. (2s).

109,1ufk Section 1ufk. 11.50 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.50 (2) (a) Any individual who desires to qualify as an eligible candidate may file an application with the board requesting approval to participate in the fund. The application shall be filed no later than the applicable deadline for filing nomination papers under s. 8.10 (2) (a), 8.15 (1), 8.20 (8) (a) or 8.50 (3) (a), no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 7th day after the primary or date on which the primary would be held if required in the case of write-in candidates, or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 7th day after appointment in the case of candidates appointed to fill vacancies. The application shall contain a sworn statement that the candidate and his or her authorized agents have complied with the contribution limitations prescribed in s. 11.26 and the disbursement limitations prescribed under s. 11.31 at all times to which such limitations have applied to his or her candidacy and will continue to comply with the limitations at all times to which the limitations apply to his or her candidacy for the office in contest, unless the board determines that the candidate is not eligible to receive a grant, the candidate withdraws his or her application under par. (h), or par. (i) applies applicant shall provide, along with his or her application, an affidavit under s. 11.31 (2m) (a). The application shall also contain a sworn statement that, except as authorized in s. 11.26 (9m), if the candidate is able to receive the full amount of the grant, except any grant provided under sub. (4) (bg) or (br), to which the candidate is entitled under sub. (9), the candidate and his or her agents will not accept any contribution made by a committee other than a political party committee during the campaign, and that, except as provided in s. 11.29 (9m) any contributions accepted by the candidate from such a committee will not exceed that amount which, when added to the amount of the grant received by the candidate under sub. (9), equals the percentage specified in s. 11.26 (9) (am) of the disbursement level specified in s. 11.31 (1) (a) to (de), (e), or (f), as adjusted under s. 11.31 (9), for the office that the candidate seeks. In the statement, the candidate shall also swear that if any unauthorized contribution has been accepted, that the contribution has been or will be returned or donated as provided in par. (j), and the candidate and his or her agents will not accept any unauthorized contribution during the campaign.

109,1ufL Section 1ufL. 11.50 (2) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

11.50 (2) (b) 3. The In the case of a candidate at the general election, the candidate has an opponent who whose name is certified for placement on the election ballot as a candidate for the same office and who received at least 6% of the vote cast for all candidates on all ballots for that office at the September primary;

109,1ufm Section 1ufm. 11.50 (2) (b) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

11.50 (2) (b) 4. The financial reports filed by or on behalf of the candidate as of the date of the spring or September primary, or the date that the special primary is or would be held, if required, indicate that his or her statement affidavit filed with the application under par. (a) s. 11.31 (2m) (a) is true; and

109,1ufn Section 1ufn. 11.50 (2) (b) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

11.50 (2) (b) 5. The financial reports filed by or on behalf of the candidate as of the date of the spring or September primary, or the date that the special primary is or would be held, if required, indicate that the candidate has received an amount equal to at least the amount provided in this subdivision, from contributions of money, other than loans, made by individuals who reside in this state and, in the case of a candidate for legislative office, by individuals at least 45% of whom reside in a county having territory within the district in which the candidate seeks office, which contributions have been received during the period ending on the date of the spring primary and July 1 preceding such date in the case of candidates at the spring election, or the date of the September primary and January 1 preceding such date in the case of candidates at the general election, or the date that a special primary will or would be held, if required, and 90 days preceding such date or the date a special election is ordered, whichever is earlier, in the case of special election candidates at a special election, which contributions are in the aggregate amount of $100 or less, and which contributions are fully identified and itemized as to the exact source thereof. A contribution received from a conduit which is identified by the conduit as originating from an individual shall be considered a contribution made by the individual. Only the first $100 of an aggregate contribution of more than $100 may be counted toward the required percentage. For a candidate at the spring or general election for an office identified in s. 11.26 (1) (a) or a candidate at a special election, the required amount to qualify for a grant is 5% of the candidate's applicable authorized disbursement limitation, as determined under s. 11.31 (1) and adjusted as provided under s. 11.31 (9). For any other candidate at the general election, the required amount to qualify for a grant is 10% 6% of the candidate's applicable authorized disbursement limitation, as determined under s. 11.31. (1) and adjusted as provided under s. 11.31 (9); and

109,1ufo Section 1ufo. 11.50 (2) (b) 6. of the statutes is created to read:

11.50 (2) (b) 6. The application is not required to be disapproved under par. (f).

109,1ufp Section 1ufp. 11.50 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.50 (2) (c) If a candidate has not filed financial reports as of the date of the spring primary, September primary, special primary, or date that the special primary would be held, if required, which indicate that he or she has met the qualification under par. (b) 5., the candidate may file a special report with the board. Such report shall be filed not later than Any individual who desires to qualify as an eligible candidate shall file a special report with the board during the period beginning on the day after the primary, or the 7th day after the date on which the primary would be held, if required, and ending on the 7th day after the primary, or 7th day after the date on which the primary would be held, if required, and. The special report shall include such supplementary information as to sources of contributions which may be necessary to complete the candidate's qualification all information that is required to be reported under s. 11.06 (1). The special report shall cover the period from the day after the last date covered on the candidate's most recent report, or from the date on which the first contribution was received or the first disbursement was made, whichever is earlier, if the candidate has not previously filed a report, to the date of such report the primary, or the date on which the primary would be held, if required. All information included on the special report shall also be included in the candidate's next report under s. 11.20.

109,1ufq Section 1ufq. 11.50 (2) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.50 (2) (f) The board shall disapprove the application of any candidate who has a balance in his or her campaign depository account, as reported under par. (c), that is equal to or greater than 100% of the disbursement level specified under s. 11.31 (1), as adjusted under s. 11.31 (9), for the office that the candidate seeks, but without respect to any adjustment under s. 11.31 (3r). The board shall inform each candidate in writing of the approval or disapproval of the candidate's application, as promptly as possible after the date of the spring primary, September primary, special primary, or date that the primary would be held, if required. With respect to a candidate at a special election who applies for a postelection grant under sub. (1) (a) 2. 1. b., the board shall inform the candidate in writing of the conditional approval or disapproval of the candidate's application at the same time.

109,1ufr Section 1ufr. 11.50 (2) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.50 (2) (g) A candidate who voluntarily files an application to receive a grant in accordance with this subsection accepts and agrees to comply with the contribution limitations prescribed in s. 11.26 and the disbursement limitations imposed under s. 11.31 (2), adjusted as provided under s. 11.31 (9), as binding upon himself or herself and his or her agents during the campaign as defined in s. 11.31 (7), as a precondition to receipt of a grant under this section, unless the board determines that the candidate is not eligible to receive a grant, the candidate withdraws the application under par. (h), or par. (i) or s. 11.31 (3p) applies to the candidate.

109,1ufs Section 1ufs. 11.50 (2) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.50 (2) (h) An eligible candidate who files an application under par. (a) may file a written withdrawal of the application. A withdrawal of an application may be filed with the board no later than the 7th 8th day after before the day of the primary in which the person withdrawing the application is a candidate; or in the case of the spring election no later than the 7th 8th day after before the date that the primary would be held, if required; or in the case of a partisan special election for which no primary is held for any party nomination, no later than the 35th day before the election. If an application is withdrawn in accordance with this paragraph, the person withdrawing the application is no longer bound by the statement affidavit filed under par. (a) s. 11.31 (2m) (a) after the date of the withdrawal.

109,1uft Section 1uft. 11.50 (2) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

11.50 (2) (i) Notwithstanding par. (g), if an eligible candidate at the spring election or a special nonpartisan election who accepts a grant is opposed by one or more candidates in the election, or if an eligible candidate at the general election or a special partisan election who accepts a grant is opposed by one or more candidates in the election who receive at least 6% of the vote cast for all candidates for the same office on all ballots at the September primary or a special partisan primary if a primary was held, and in either case if any such opponent of the eligible candidate does not accept a grant under this section in whole or in part, the eligible candidate is not bound by the pledge made in his or her application to adhere to the contribution limitations prescribed in s. 11.26 and the disbursement limitation prescribed under s. 11.31 (2), unless each such opponent files an affidavit of voluntary compliance under s. 11.31 (2m) (b) and s. 11.31 (3p) does not apply to the candidate.

109,1ufu Section 1ufu. 11.50 (2) (j) of the statutes is created to read:

11.50 (2) (j) If a candidate who applies for a grant has accepted, or the candidate's personal campaign committee has accepted, any contributions from committees other than political party committees during the campaign for the office that the candidate seeks, except as authorized in the candidate's statement under par. (a), the candidate, before accepting a grant whenever the full amount of the grant authorized under sub. (9) is available to the candidate, shall return the contributions or their monetary equivalent to the contributor, or, at the contributor's option, donate an amount equal to the contribution to the fund or to the common school fund or, if the full amount of the grant authorized under sub. (9) is not available to the candidate, shall return or donate sufficient contributions, if any, so that the contributions accepted do not exceed the amount authorized under sub. (2) (a).

109,1ufv Section 1ufv. 11.50 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

11.50 (2m) Public information account. (a) Annually no later than September 1, the board may notify the state treasurer that an amount not exceeding 1% of the amount transferred to the fund in that year shall be placed in a public information account. The amount shall be drawn from the general account and from each political party account in proportion to each account's share of designations credited under s. 71.10 (3) (b) in that year. Moneys in the public information account shall be expended by the board for the purpose of providing public information concerning the purpose and effect of this section and s. 71.10 (3).

(b) The board shall provide the department of revenue with an easily understood description of the purpose and effect of this section and s. 71.10 (3) for use as required under s. 71.10 (3) (b).