AB998: Bill Text

LRB-4371/1

JTK:kjf:jf

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly BILL 998

February 7, 2006 - Introduced by Representatives Freese, Ainsworth, Albers, Bies, Cullen, Gunderson, Hahn, Krawczyk, Montgomery, Musser, Pocan, Pettis, Petrowski, Travis and Turner, cosponsored by Senators A. Lasee and Olsen. Referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.

AB998,1,4 An Act to amend 11.25 (2) (b); and to create 11.65 of the statutes; relating to: authorization for registrants under the campaign finance law to make donations to charitable organizations or the common school fund from campaign treasuries.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Currently, with certain exceptions, a registrant under the campaign finance law is generally prohibited from making a disbursement (expenditure) from moneys solicited for political purposes for a purpose that is other than political. However, a registrant that receives a contribution from an unregistered nonresident, an unlawful corporate contribution, an anonymous contribution exceeding $10, or a cash contribution exceeding $50 may donate the contribution to a charitable organization or to the state common school fund. In addition, residual moneys in a campaign treasury when a registrant ceases financial activity may be treated likewise.

This bill provides that a registrant may make a donation from a campaign treasury to a charitable organization or to the common school fund at any time for any reason.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB998, s. 1 Section 1. 11.25 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB998,2,15 11.25 (2) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), a registrant may accept contributions and make disbursements from a campaign depository account for the purpose of making expenditures in connection with a campaign for national office; for payment of civil penalties incurred by the registrant under this chapter but not under any other chapter; for the purpose of making a donation to a charitable organization or the common school fund; or for payment of the expenses of nonpartisan campaigns to increase voter registration or participation. Notwithstanding par. (a), a personal campaign committee or support committee may accept contributions and make disbursements from a campaign depository account for payment of inaugural expenses of an individual who is elected to state or local office. If such expenses are paid from contributions made to the campaign depository account, they are reportable under s. 11.06 (1) as disbursements. Otherwise, such expenses are not reportable under s. 11.06 (1). If contributions from the campaign depository account are used for such expenses, they are subject to s. 11.26.

AB998, s. 2 Section 2. 11.65 of the statutes is created to read:

AB998,2,19 11.65 Donations to charitable organizations or school fund. Any registrant may make a donation to a charitable organization or the common school fund from the registrant's campaign treasury.

AB998,2,20 (End)