SB292: Bill Text

SB292,89,12 (4) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), contributions to a political party.

SB292,89,14 (b) A political action committee may contribute no more than $12,000 in any calendar year to a political party.

SB292,89,16 (5) Contributions made by a political party or legislative campaign committee to a candidate committee.

SB292,89,19 (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.

SB292,89,22 (7) Contributions that a candidate makes to his or her candidate committee from the candidate's personal funds or property or the personal funds or property that are owned jointly or as marital property with the candidate's spouse.

SB292,89,24 (8) Contributions transferred between the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of the same political party.

SB292,90,2 (9) Contributions used to pay legal fees and other expenses incurred as a result of a recount under s. 9.01.

SB292,90,6 (10) Contributions used to pay legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with or in response to circulating, offering to file, or filing a petition to recall an office holder prior to the time that a recall primary or election is ordered, or after that time if incurred to contest or defend the order.

SB292,90,7 (11) Contributions to a recall committee.

SB292,90,8 (12) Contributions to a referendum committee.

SB292,90,12 11.1105 Valuation. (1) Except as provided in s. 11.1111, for purposes of complying with a contribution limit under this section, the value of a contribution of any tangible or intangible item, other than money, is the item's fair market value at the time that the individual or committee made the contribution.

SB292,90,16 (2) Except as provided in s. 11.1111, for purposes of complying with a contribution limit under this section, the value of a contribution of a service is the fair market value of the service at the time that the individual or committee made the contribution.

SB292,90,20 11.1106 Conduit contributions. (1) For purposes of this chapter, a contribution released by a conduit to a committee is to be reported by the committee as a contribution from the individual who made the contribution and not as a contribution from the conduit.

SB292,90,23 (2) A contribution of money received from a conduit, accompanied by the information required under s. 11.0704 (1), is considered to be a contribution from the original contributor.

SB292,90,25 (3) Each filing officer shall place a copy of any report received under s. 11.0704 in the file of the conduit and the file of the recipient.

SB292,91,7 11.1107 Limitation on cash contributions. Every contribution of money exceeding $100 shall be made by negotiable instrument or evidenced by an itemized credit card receipt bearing on the face the name of the remitter. No committee required to report under this chapter may accept a contribution made in violation of this section. The committee shall promptly return the contribution, or donate it to the common school fund or to a charitable organization in the event that the donor cannot be identified.

SB292,91,11 11.1108 Anonymous contributions. No committee may accept an anonymous contribution exceeding $10. If an anonymous contribution exceeds $10, the committee shall donate the contribution to the common school fund or to a charitable organization and report the donation as required under this chapter.

SB292,91,15 11.1109 In-kind contributions. Before making a contribution, as defined under s. 11.0101 (8) (a) 2., to a committee, the prospective contributor shall notify the administrator or treasurer of the committee and obtain that individuals oral or written consent to the contribution.

SB292,91,18 11.1110 Return of contributions. (1) A committee required to report under this chapter may return a contribution at any time before or after it has been deposited.

SB292,91,20 (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the subsequent return of a contribution deposited contrary to law does not constitute a defense to a violation.

SB292,91,24 (b) A committee that accepts a contribution contrary to law, reports that contribution, and returns that contribution within 15 days after the filing date for the reporting period in which the contribution is received does not violate the contribution or source limits under this subchapter.

SB292,91,25 11.1111 Valuation of opinion poll results. (1) In this section:

SB292,92,1 (a) "Election period" means any of the following:

SB292,92,3 1. The period beginning on December 1 and ending on the date of the spring election.

SB292,92,4 2. The period beginning on May 1 and ending on the date of the general election.

SB292,92,6 3. The period beginning on the first day for circulating nomination papers and ending on the date of a special election.

SB292,92,8 (b) "Initial recipient" means the individual who or committee which commissions a public opinion poll or voter survey.

SB292,92,9 (c) "Results" means computer output or a written or verbal analysis.

SB292,92,11 (d) "Voter survey" includes acquiring information that identifies voter attitudes concerning candidates or issues.

SB292,92,19 (2) If a committee receives opinion poll or voter survey results during the first 15 days after the initial recipient receives the results, and the committee received the results during an election period, the committee shall report the results as a contribution. The committee shall report the contribution's value as 100 percent of the cost incurred by the initial recipient to commission the poll or survey, except that if more than one committee receives the results, the committees shall report the contribution's value as 100 percent of the amount allocated to the committee under sub. (5).

SB292,93,2 (3) If the committee receives the opinion poll or voter survey results 16 to 60 days following the day on which the initial recipient received the results, and the committee received the results during an election period, the committee shall report the results as a contribution valued at 50 percent of the cost incurred by the initial recipient to commission the poll or survey, except that if more than one committee receives the results, the committees shall report the contribution's value as 50 percent of the amount allocated to the committee under sub. (5).

SB292,93,5 (4) If the committee receives the opinion poll or voter survey results more than 60 days after the initial recipient received the results the committee is not required to report the results as a contribution.

SB292,93,9 (5) If a person contributes opinion poll or voter survey results to more than one committee, the person shall apportion the value of the poll or survey to each committee receiving the results by one of the following methods and shall provide the apportioned values to the committees:

SB292,93,12 (a) Determine the share of the cost of the opinion poll or voter survey that is allocable to each recipient based on the allocation formula used by the person that conducted the poll or survey.

SB292,93,15 (b) Determine the share of the cost of the opinion poll or voter survey that is allocable to each recipient by dividing the cost of the poll or survey equally among all the committees receiving the results.

SB292,93,17 (c) Determine the share of the cost of the opinion poll or voter survey that is allocable to each recipient as follows:

SB292,93,19 1. Divide the number of question results received by each recipient by the total number of question results received by all recipients.

SB292,93,21 2. Multiple the total cost of the poll or survey by the number determined under subd. 1.

SB292,94,3 (6) If a person makes a contribution of opinion poll or voter survey results to a committee after the person has apportioned the value of the results to previous recipients under sub. (5), the person shall make a good faith effort to apportion the value to the committee, considering the value apportioned to other recipients under sub. (5), and shall report that value to the committee. For purposes of this subsection, the total value of the contributor's aggregate contributions may exceed the original cost of the poll or survey.

SB292,94,6 (7) A person who contributes opinion poll or voter survey results shall maintain records sufficient to support the contribution's value and shall provide the contribution's value to the recipient.

SB292,94,12 11.1112 Corporations, cooperatives, and tribes. No foreign or domestic corporation, no association organized under ch. 185 or 193, no labor organization, and no federally recognized American Indian Tribe may make a contribution to a committee, other than an independent expenditure committee or referendum committee, but may make a contribution to a segregated fund as provided under s. 11.1104 (6).

SB292,94,16 11.1113 Sole proprietors, partnerships, and limited liability companies. (1) A contribution made to a committee by a sole proprietorship is considered a contribution made by the individual who is the sole proprietor and subject to the limits under this subchapter.

SB292,94,25 (2) A contribution made to a committee by a partnership is considered a contribution made by each of the contributing partners and subject to the limits under this subchapter. A partnership that makes a contribution to a committee shall provide to the committee the names of the contributing partners and the amount of the individual contribution made by each partner. For purposes of determining the individual contribution amounts made by each partner, the partnership shall attribute the individual contributions according to each partner's share of the partnership's profits, unless the partners agree to apportion the contribution in a different manner.

SB292,95,12 (3) Limited liability companies. (a) A contribution made to a committee by a limited liability company treated as a partnership by the federal internal revenue service pursuant to 26 CFR 301.7701-3 is considered a contribution made by each of the contributing members and subject to the limits under this subchapter. A limited liability company that makes a contribution under this paragraph shall affirm to the candidate committee that it is treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes and eligible to make the contribution. The company shall provide to the committee the names of the contributing members and the amount of the individual contribution made by each member. For purposes of determining the individual contribution amounts made by each member, the company shall attribute the individual contributions according to each member's share of the company's profits, unless the members agree to apportion the contribution in a different manner.

SB292,95,19 (b) A contribution made to a candidate committee by a single-member limited liability company in which the sole member is an individual is considered a contribution made by that individual and subject to the individual limits under s. 11.1101 (1). A limited liability company that makes a contribution under this paragraph shall affirm to the candidate committee that it is a single-member limited liability company in which the sole member is an individual and eligible to make the contribution.

SB292,96,2 11.1114 Two candidate committees. (1) If a candidate establishes a 2nd candidate committee under s. 11.0202 (2) to pursue a state or local office for which the contribution limit under this subchapter is higher than the contribution limit for the office that the candidate originally sought, the 2nd candidate committee may accept contributions up to the higher limit, but shall take into account the amount of any contributions transferred from the first candidate committee to the 2nd candidate committee to determine whether the 2nd candidate committee has reached or exceeded the higher limits.

SB292,96,8 (2) If a candidate establishes a 2nd candidate committee under s. 11.0202 (2) to pursue a state or local office for which the contribution limit under this subchapter is lower than the contribution limit for the office that the candidate originally sought, the first candidate committee may transfer its contributions to the 2nd candidate committee in an amount not to exceed the contribution limits applicable to the 2nd candidate committee.

SB292,96,12 (3) Upon termination of a 2nd candidate committee, the 2nd candidate committee may transfer any of its remaining funds to the first candidate committee in amounts not to exceed the contribution limits applicable to the persons who contributed to the first candidate committee.

SB292,96,13 subchapter XII

SB292,96,14 prohibited practices

SB292,96,16 11.1201 False reports and statements. No person may prepare or submit a false report or statement to a filing officer under this chapter.

SB292,96,20 11.1202 Earmarking. (1) The treasurer of a candidate committee may agree with a prospective contributor that a contribution is received to be used for a specific purpose not prohibited by law. That purpose may not include a disbursement to a committee to support or oppose another candidate.

SB292,96,23 (2) When a contribution is made to a committee other than a candidate committee, the contributor may not direct the committee to make a disbursement to a committee to support or oppose another candidate.

SB292,97,2 (3) Except for transfers of membership-related moneys between committees of the same political party, no committee may transfer to another committee the earmarked contributions of others. Transfers of membership-related moneys between political parties shall be treated in the same manner as other transfers.

SB292,97,7 11.1203 Coordination. (1) No person may make a disbursement for express advocacy that is coordinated with a candidate, candidate committee, candidate's agent, the legislative campaign committee of the candidate's party, or a political party in violation of the contribution limits under s. 11.1101 or the source restrictions under s. 11.1112.

SB292,97,9 (2) (a) For purposes of this section, a disbursement for express advocacy is coordinated if any of the following apply:

SB292,97,11 1. The disbursement is made at the request or suggestion of the candidate or candidate's agent.

SB292,97,12 2. The candidate exercises control over the disbursement.

SB292,97,14 3. The candidate engages in substantial discussions or negotiations with the person making the disbursement regarding any of the following:

SB292,97,15 a. The communication's content.

SB292,97,16 b. The communication's timing.

SB292,97,17 c. The location, form, or intended audience of the communication.

SB292,97,18 d. The number or frequency of communications.

SB292,97,20 (b) If a disbursement for express advocacy is not in violation of the coordination prohibitions under sub. (1), all of the following apply:

SB292,97,22 1. The person making the disbursement shall report the disbursement if the person is a committee subject to the reporting requirements under this chapter.

SB292,97,23 2. The candidate committee shall report the disbursement as a contribution.

SB292,98,3 11.1204 Unlawful political contributions. (1) Subject to sub. (2), no person may, directly or indirectly, make any contribution other than from funds or property belonging to the person. No person may, directly or indirectly, give funds or property to another person for the purpose of making a contribution in other than the person's own name.

SB292,98,5 (2) A conduit releasing a contribution of money in the manner prescribed in s. 11.0704 does not violate sub. (1).

SB292,98,7 (3) No person may intentionally accept or receive any contribution made in violation of this chapter.

SB292,98,12 11.1205 Use of government materials by candidates. (1) (a) Except as provided in sub. (2), no person elected to state or local office who becomes a candidate for national, state, or local office may use public funds for the cost of materials or distribution for 50 or more pieces of substantially identical material distributed after:

SB292,98,14 1. In the case of a candidate who is nominated by nomination papers, the first day authorized by law for circulation of nomination papers as a candidate.

SB292,98,17 2. In the case of a candidate who is nominated at a primary election by write-in votes, the day the board of canvassers issues its determination that the person is nominated.

SB292,98,19 3. In the case of a candidate who is nominated at a caucus, the date of the caucus.

SB292,98,22 4. In the case of any other candidate who is nominated solely by filing a declaration of candidacy, the first day of the month preceding the month which includes the last day for filing the declaration.

SB292,98,25 (b) This subsection applies until after the date of the election or after the date of the primary election if the person appears as a candidate on a primary election ballot and is not nominated at the primary election.

SB292,99,2 (2) This section does not apply to use of public funds for the costs of the following:

SB292,99,3 (a) Answers to communications of constituents.

SB292,99,6 (b) Actions taken by a state or local government administrative officer pursuant to a specific law, ordinance or resolution which authorizes or directs the actions to be taken.

SB292,99,8 (c) Communications between members of the legislature regarding the legislative or deliberative process while the legislature is in session.

SB292,99,12 (d) Communications not exceeding 500 pieces by members of the legislature relating solely to the subject matter of a special session or extraordinary session, made during the period between the date that the session is called or scheduled and 14 days after adjournment of the session.

SB292,99,17 11.1206 Travel by public officers. (1) No person may use any vehicle or aircraft owned by the state or by any local governmental unit for any trip which is exclusively for the purposes of campaigning to support or oppose any candidate for national, state, or local office, unless use of the vehicle or aircraft is required for purposes of security protection provided by the state or local governmental unit.

SB292,99,25 (2) No person may use any vehicle or aircraft owned by the state or by any local governmental unit for purposes that include campaigning to support or oppose any candidate for national, state, or local office, unless the person pays to the state or local governmental unit a fee which is comparable to the commercial market rate for the use of a similar vehicle or aircraft and for any services provided by the state or local governmental unit to operate the vehicle or aircraft. If a trip is made in part for a public purpose and in part for the purpose of campaigning, the person shall pay for the portion of the trip attributable to campaigning, but in no case less than 50 percent of the cost of the trip. The portion of the trip attributable to campaigning shall be determined by dividing the number of appearances made for campaign purposes by the total number of appearances. Fees payable to the state shall be prescribed by the secretary of administration and shall be deposited in the account under s. 20.855 (6) (h). Fees payable to a local governmental unit shall be prescribed by the governing body of the governmental unit.

SB292,100,10 11.1207 Political solicitation involving public officials and employees restricted. (1) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) and (c), no person may solicit or receive from any state officer or employee or from any officer or employee of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority any contribution or service.

SB292,100,14 (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a contribution or service solicited or received from a state officer or employee or an officer or employee of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority who is on an unpaid leave of absence at the time of the solicitation or receipt.

SB292,100,15 (c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to communications about a referendum.

SB292,100,18 (3) No person may solicit or receive from any officer or employee of a political subdivision of this state any contribution or service during established hours of employment or while the officer or employee is engaged in his or her official duties.