LRBa1069/1
JK&TKK:all
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 10,
TO ASSEMBLY BILL 387
October 21, 2015 - Offered by Representatives Berceau, Zamarripa, Kessler and
Wachs.
AB387-AA10,2,10
4"
11.001 Declaration of policy. (1) The legislature finds and declares that our
5democratic system of government can be maintained only if the electorate is
6informed. It further finds that excessive spending on campaigns for public office
7jeopardizes the integrity of elections. It is desirable to encourage the broadest
8possible participation in financing campaigns by all citizens of the state, and to
9enable candidates to have an equal opportunity to present their programs to the
10voters. One of the most important sources of information to the voters is available
11through the campaign finance reporting system. Campaign reports provide
12information which aids the public in fully understanding the public positions taken
13by a candidate or political organization. When the true source of support or extent
1of support is not fully disclosed, or when a candidate becomes overly dependent upon
2large private contributors, the democratic process is subjected to a potential
3corrupting influence. The legislature therefore finds that the state has a compelling
4interest in designing a system for fully disclosing contributions and disbursements
5made on behalf of every candidate for public office, and in placing reasonable
6limitations on such activities. Such a system must make readily available to the
7voters complete information as to who is supporting or opposing which candidate or
8cause and to what extent, whether directly or indirectly. This chapter is intended to
9serve the public purpose of stimulating vigorous campaigns on a fair and equal basis
10and to provide for a better informed electorate.
AB387-AA10,2,14
11(2) This chapter is also intended to ensure fair and impartial elections by
12precluding officeholders from utilizing the perquisites of office at public expense in
13order to gain an advantage over nonincumbent candidates who have no perquisites
14available to them.
AB387-AA10,2,17
15(3) This chapter is declared to be enacted pursuant to the power of the state to
16protect the integrity of the elective process and to assure the maintenance of free
17government.".
AB387-AA10,2,20
19"
(5) Reporting of expenditures and contributions made outside of this state. 20(a) In this subsection:
AB387-AA10,2,2221
1. "Candidate" means an individual who holds or seeks or is the subject of a
22recall petition for an office other than a state or local office.
AB387-AA10,2,2423
2. "Contribution" means a gift, subscription, loan, advance, or transfer of
24money, tangible personal property, or services.
AB387-AA10,3,7
1(b) Notwithstanding the reporting requirements that would otherwise apply
2under this chapter, but subject to the applicable thresholds for submitting reports,
3a political action committee, independent expenditure committee, conduit, or recall
4committee registered under this chapter shall include in a report any expenditures
5or contributions made during the immediately preceding reporting period on express
6advocacy for a clearly identified candidate, issue advocacy, or to support or oppose
7the recall of an elective official holding an office other than a state or local office.".
AB387-AA10,4,6
1"
11.1002 Social welfare organizations. Every entity organized under
2section
501 (c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code that makes or accepts a contribution,
3makes a disbursement, or incurs an obligation to support or oppose a candidate or
4a recall in a calendar year in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000 shall register
5and report in the same manner that political action committees are required to
6register and report under subch. V of this chapter.
AB387-AA10,4,11
711.1003 Other persons; registering and reporting. Every person, other
8than a committee, that makes or accepts contributions, makes disbursements, or
9incurs obligations in a calendar year in an aggregate amount in excess of $3,000 shall
10register and report in the same manner that a political action committee is required
11to register and report under subch. V of this chapter.".
AB387-AA10,4,19
16"
11.1115 Individual contributions. (1) No individual may make any
17contribution or contributions in excess of $10,000 in any calendar year to any
18committee, other than a candidate committee, which has as its major purpose
19expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate.
AB387-AA10,4,21
20(2) No individual may make any contribution or contributions in excess of
21$10,000 in any calendar year to a political party.".
AB387-AA10,5,9
830. Page 101, line 12: delete the material beginning with "the" and ending
9with "use" on line 13 and substitute "an individual's personal gain".
