Bill Text: NJ A2088 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes uniform lower contribution limits and requires greater disclosure of all campaign contributions received by candidates; repeals laws regulating campaign contributions by entities performing certain public contracts.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State Government Committee [A2088 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A2088-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOSEPH CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes uniform lower contribution limits and requires greater disclosure of all campaign contributions received by candidates; repeals laws regulating campaign contributions by entities performing certain public contracts.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning campaign contributions, and revising various parts of the statutory law and supplementing chapter 44A of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) a. Every candidate seeking nomination for election or election to public office in this State, other than a candidate seeking nomination or election to the office of Governor, and every person serving in elective public office in this State, shall:
(1) establish and maintain a site on the Internet that features, in a prominent location on the site, a listing of all campaign contributions received and campaign expenditures made by the candidate or the elected official. The website shall be fully interactive and easily searchable by the public. Internet access to the list by the public shall be available at all times. It shall, at a minimum, contain all of the information required to be filed by "The New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act," P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-1 et seq.), and shall be updated after its inception at least once during every 24-hour period to disclose every contribution received and expenditure made during the preceding 24-hour period. The list shall note the receipt of each reportable contribution received, whether or not the contribution is returned to the contributor for any reason The list shall be in the form prescribed by the Election Law Enforcement Commission and shall utilize computer software developed, provided and maintained by the commission. The website shall be operational and the list shall be updated for as long as the individual is a candidate for public office or is serving in public office, whichever period is longer.
(2) create a mailing list of individuals and organizations interested in receiving notice of the campaign contributions received and campaign expenditures made by the candidate for public office or the person serving in elective public office. An offer to participate in the mailing list shall be featured on the candidate's or elected official's website and shall be made available to the public as soon as the website is operational. The individuals and organizations on the mailing list shall receive the daily information posted on the list of contributions and expenditures on the website at the same time as such information is posted on that site.
(3) provide to the municipal
clerk in each municipality the
candidate seeks to represent or that is represented by the person serving in
elective public office, as the case may be, in whole or in part, a printout of
all contributions received and expenditures made as listed on the candidate's
or elected official's website, as required by this section. The information
shall be provided beginning no later than the 15th day of the month that an
individual becomes a candidate and no later than the 15th day of each month
thereafter for as long as the individual is a candidate for public office or is
serving in elective public office, whichever period is longer. The printout
shall be readily available for inspection and duplication by the public at the
office of the municipal clerk.
b. Every individual who is a candidate for nomination for election or election to public office in this State shall be in compliance with subsection a. of this section no later than the 30th day after the individual is a candidate for public office. Every individual serving in elective public office on the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be in compliance with the provisions of subsection a. of this section as soon as possible, but in no event later than the 180th day following the effective date of that act.
c. On January 1 and June 1 of each year, or as soon as possible thereafter, every individual serving in elected public office shall caused to be published in a newspaper or newspapers which, singly or in combination, are in general circulation in the county or counties that include the political jurisdiction represented by the elected official the list of campaign contributions received and campaign expenditures made by the individual up to the seventh day prior to that January 1 or June 1 date, as they appear on the website of the individual pursuant to subsection a. of this section.
d. The expenditures required by this section for a candidate or a person serving in elective public office shall be considered either a campaign expense or among the ordinary and necessary expenses of holding public office, as may be appropriate, pursuant to section 17 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-11.2).
2. (New section) In addition to the amounts of contributions subject to adjustment by the commission pursuant to section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2), the amounts to be adjusted as provided by that section shall include:
a. the maximum amount of contributions permitted to be made by an individual, corporation or labor organization to a candidate, candidate committee or joint candidates committee, the maximum amount of contributions permitted to be made by a political committee or a continuing political committee to a candidate, candidate committee or joint candidates committee other than the committee of a candidate for nomination for election or election to the office of Governor and the maximum amount of contributions permitted to be made by one candidate, candidate committee or joint candidates committee, other than the committee of a candidate for nomination for election or election to the office of Governor, to another candidate, candidate committee or joint candidates committee, other than the committee of a candidate for nomination for election or election to the office of Governor, pursuant to section 18 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-11.3);
b. the maximum amount of contributions permitted to be made by an individual, corporation, labor organization, political committee, continuing political committee, candidate committee or joint candidates committee or any other group to any political party committee or any legislative leadership committee pursuant to section 19 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-11.4);
c. the maximum amount of contributions permitted to be made by a candidate, candidate committee or joint candidates committee to a political committee or a continuing political committee and the maximum amount of contributions permitted to be made by one political committee or continuing political committee to another political committee or continuing political committee pursuant to section 20 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-11.5); and
d. the maximum amount of contributions permitted to be made by a legislative leadership committee or a State, county or municipal political party committee to a candidate committee or joint candidates committee per election or by a legislative leadership committee or political party committee to another legislative leadership committee, a political committee, continuing political committee or another State county or municipal political party committee per year.
3. Section 3 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-3) is amended to read as follows:
3. As used in this act, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
a. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1993, c.65.)
b. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1993, c.65.)
c. The term "candidate" means: (1) an individual seeking election to a public office of the State or of a county, municipality or school district at an election; except that the term shall not include an individual seeking party office; (2) an individual who shall have been elected or failed of election to an office, other than a party office, for which he sought election and who receives contributions and makes expenditures for any of the purposes authorized by section 17 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-11.2) during the period of his service in that office; and (3) an individual who has received funds or other benefits or has made payments solely for the purpose of determining whether the individual should become a candidate as defined in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection.
d. The terms "contributions" and "expenditures" include all loans and transfers of money or other thing of value to or by any candidate, candidate committee, joint candidates committee, political committee, continuing political committee, political party committee or legislative leadership committee and all pledges or other commitments or assumptions of liability to make any such transfer; and for purposes of reports required under the provisions of this act shall be deemed to have been made upon the date when such commitment is made or liability assumed.
e. The term "election" means any election described in section 4 of this act.
f. The term "paid personal services" means personal, clerical, administrative or professional services of every kind and nature including, without limitation, public relations, research, legal, canvassing, telephone, speech writing or other such services, performed other than on a voluntary basis, the salary, cost or consideration for which is paid, borne or provided by someone other than the committee, candidate or organization for whom such services are rendered. In determining the value, for the purpose of reports required under this act, of contributions made in the form of paid personal services, the person contributing such services shall furnish to the treasurer through whom such contribution is made a statement setting forth the actual amount of compensation paid by said contributor to the individuals actually performing said services for the performance thereof. But if any individual or individuals actually performing such services also performed for the contributor other services during the same period, and the manner of payment was such that payment for the services contributed cannot readily be segregated from contemporary payment for the other services, the contributor shall in his statement to the treasurer so state and shall either (1) set forth his best estimate of the dollar amount of payment to each such individual which is attributable to the contribution of his paid personal services, and shall certify the substantial accuracy of the same, or (2) if unable to determine such amount with sufficient accuracy, set forth the total compensation paid by him to each such individual for the period of time during which the services contributed by him were performed. If any candidate is a holder of public office to whom there is attached or assigned, by virtue of said office, any aide or aides whose services are of a personal or confidential nature in assisting him to carry out the duties of said office, and whose salary or other compensation is paid in whole or part out of public funds, the services of such aide or aides which are paid for out of public funds shall be for public purposes only; but they may contribute their personal services, on a voluntary basis, to such candidate for election campaign purposes.
g. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1983, c.579.)
h. The term "political information" means any statement including, but not limited to, press releases, pamphlets, newsletters, advertisements, flyers, form letters, or radio or television programs or advertisements which reflects the opinion of the members of the organization on any candidate or candidates for public office, on any public question, or which contains facts on any such candidate, or public question whether or not such facts are within the personal knowledge of members of the organization.
i. The term "political committee" means any two or more persons acting jointly, or any corporation, partnership, or any other incorporated or unincorporated association which is organized to, or does, aid or promote the nomination, election or defeat of any candidate or candidates for public office, or which is organized to, or does, aid or promote the passage or defeat of a public question in any election, if the persons, corporation, partnership or incorporated or unincorporated association raises or expends $1,000.00 or more to so aid or promote the nomination, election or defeat of a candidate or candidates or the passage or defeat of a public question; provided that for the purposes of this act, the term "political committee" shall not include a "continuing political committee," as defined by subsection n. of this section, a "political party committee," as defined by subsection p. of this section, a "candidate committee," as defined by subsection q. of this section, a "joint candidates committee," as defined by subsection r. of this section or a "legislative leadership committee," as defined by subsection s. of this section.
j. The term "public solicitation" means any activity by or on behalf of any candidate, political committee, continuing political committee, candidate committee, joint candidates committee, legislative leadership committee or political party committee whereby either (1) members of the general public are personally solicited for cash contributions not exceeding $20.00 from each person so solicited and contributed on the spot by the person so solicited to a person soliciting or through a receptacle provided for the purpose of depositing contributions, or (2) members of the general public are personally solicited for the purchase of items having some tangible value as merchandise, at a price not exceeding $20.00 per item, which price is paid on the spot in cash by the person so solicited to the person so soliciting, when the net proceeds of such solicitation are to be used by or on behalf of such candidate, political committee, continuing political committee, candidate committee, joint candidates committee, legislative leadership committee or political party committee.
k. The term "testimonial affair" means an affair of any kind or nature including, without limitation, cocktail parties, breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, dances, picnics or similar affairs directly or indirectly intended to raise campaign funds in behalf of a person who holds, or who is or was a candidate for nomination or election to a public office in this State, or directly or indirectly intended to raise funds in behalf of any political party committee or in behalf of a political committee, continuing political committee, candidate committee, joint candidates committee or legislative leadership committee.
l. The term "other thing of value" means any item of real or personal property, tangible or intangible, but shall not be deemed to include personal services other than paid personal services.
m. The term "qualified candidate" means:
(1) Joint candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor whose names appear on the general election ballot; who have deposited and expended $150,000.00 pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-32); and who, not later than September 1 preceding a general election in which the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor are to be filled, (a) notify the Election Law Enforcement Commission in writing that the candidates intend that application will be made on the candidates' behalf for monies for general election campaign expenses under subsection b. of section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33), and (b) sign a statement of agreement, in a form to be prescribed by the commission, to participate in interactive gubernatorial election debates under the provisions of sections 9 through 11 of P.L.1989, c.4 (C.19:44A-45 through C.19:44A-47); or
(2) Joint candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor whose names do not appear on the general election ballot; who have deposited and expended $150,000.00 pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-32); and who, not later than September 1 preceding a general election in which the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor are to be filled, (a) notify the Election Law Enforcement Commission in writing that the candidates intend that application will be made on the candidates' behalf for monies for general election campaign expenses under subsection b. of section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33), and (b) sign a statement of agreement, in a form to be prescribed by the commission, to participate in interactive gubernatorial election debates under the provisions of sections 9 through 11 of P.L.1989, c.4 (C.19:44A-45 through C.19:44A-47); or
(3) Any candidate for nomination for election to the office of Governor whose name appears on the primary election ballot; who has deposited and expended $150,000.00 pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-32); and who, not later than the last day for filing petitions to nominate candidates to be voted upon in a primary election for a general election in which the office of Governor is to be filled, (a) notifies the Election Law Enforcement Commission in writing that the candidate intends that application will be made on the candidate's behalf for monies for primary election campaign expenses under subsection a. of section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33), and (b) signs a statement of agreement, in a form to be prescribed by the commission, to participate in two interactive gubernatorial primary debates under the provisions of sections 9 through 11 of P.L.1989, c.4 (C.19:44A-45 through C.19:44A-47); or
(4) Any candidate for nomination for election to the office of Governor whose name does not appear on the primary election ballot; who has deposited and expended $150,000.00 pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-32); and who, not later than the last day for filing petitions to nominate candidates to be voted upon in a primary election for a general election in which the office of Governor is to be filled, (a) notifies the Election Law Enforcement Commission in writing that the candidate intends that application will be made on the candidate's behalf for monies for primary election campaign expenses under subsection a. of section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33), and (b) signs a statement of agreement, in a form to be prescribed by the commission, to participate in two interactive gubernatorial primary debates under the provisions of sections 9 through 11 of P.L.1989, c.4 (C.19:44A-45 through C.19:44A-47).
n. The term "continuing political committee" means any group of two or more persons acting jointly, or any corporation, partnership, or any other incorporated or unincorporated association, including a political club, political action committee, civic association or other organization, which in any calendar year contributes or expects to contribute at least $2,500.00 to the aid or promotion of the candidacy of an individual, or of the candidacies of individuals, for elective public office, or the passage or defeat of a public question or public questions, and which may be expected to make contributions toward such aid or promotion or passage or defeat during a subsequent election, provided that the group, corporation, partnership, association or other organization has been determined to be a continuing political committee under subsection b. of section 8 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-8); provided that for the purposes of this act, the term "continuing political committee" shall not include a "political party committee," as defined by subsection p. of this section, or a "legislative leadership committee," as defined by subsection s. of this section.
o. The term "statement of agreement" means a written declaration, by a candidate for nomination for election to the office of Governor, or by joint candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor who intend that application will be made on behalf of the candidate for the office of Governor to receive monies for the primary election or on behalf of the candidates for the office of Governor and the office of Lieutenant Governor for general election campaign expenses under subsection a. or subsection b., respectively, of section 8 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-33), that the candidates undertake to abide by the terms of any rules established by any private organization sponsoring a gubernatorial primary or general election debate, as appropriate, to be held under the provisions of sections 9 through 11 of P.L.1989, c.4 (C.19:44A-45 through C.19:44A-47) and in which the candidates are to participate. The statement of agreement shall include an acknowledgment of notice to the candidates who sign it that failure on the candidates' part to participate in any of the gubernatorial debates may be cause for the termination of the payment of such monies on the candidates' behalf and for the imposition of liability for the return to the commission of such monies as may previously have been so paid.
p. The term "political party committee" means the State committee of a political party, as organized pursuant to R.S.19:5-4, any county committee of a political party, as organized pursuant to R.S.19:5-3, or any municipal committee of a political party, as organized pursuant to R.S.19:5-2.
q. The term "candidate committee" means a committee established pursuant to subsection a. of section 9 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-9) for the purpose of receiving contributions and making expenditures.
r. The term "joint candidates committee" means a committee established pursuant to subsection a. of section 9 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-9) by at least two candidates for the same elective public offices in the same election in a legislative district, county, municipality or school district, but not more candidates than the total number of the same elective public offices to be filled in that election, for the purpose of receiving contributions and making expenditures. For the purpose of this subsection: the offices of member of the Senate and members of the General Assembly shall be deemed to be the same elective public offices in a legislative district; the offices of member of the board of chosen freeholders and county executive shall be deemed to be the same elective public offices in a county; and the offices of mayor and member of the municipal governing body shall be deemed to be the same elective public offices in a municipality.
s. The term "legislative leadership committee" means a committee established, authorized to be established, or designated by the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly or the Minority Leader of the General Assembly pursuant to section 16 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-10.1) for the purpose of receiving contributions and making expenditures.
t. The term "business entity" means a natural or legal person, business corporation, professional services corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, business trust, association or any other legal commercial entity organized under the laws of this State or any other state or foreign jurisdiction that has entered into a contract with a State agency in the Executive Branch, a State agency in the Legislative Branch, a county or an instrumentality thereof, or a municipality or an instrumentality thereof, with an anticipated value in excess of $17,500. When a business entity is a natural person, a contribution by that person's spouse or child, residing therewith, shall be deemed to be a contribution by the business entity. When a business entity is other than a natural person, a contribution by any person or other business entity having ownership or control of more than 10% of the profits or assets of a business entity, or 10% of the stock in the case of a business entity that is a corporation for profit, as appropriate, shall be deemed to be a contribution by the business entity. When a business entity is other than a natural person, a contribution by: all principals, partners, officers, or directors of the business entity or their spouses; any subsidiaries directly or indirectly controlled by the business entity; or any political organization organized under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code that is directly or indirectly controlled by the business entity, shall be deemed to be a contribution by the business entity.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.66, s.5)
4. Section 6 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-6) is amended to read as follows:
6. a. The commission shall appoint a full-time executive director, legal counsel and hearing officers, all of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the commission and shall not have tenure by reason of the provisions of chapter 16 of Title 38 of the Revised Statutes. The commission shall also appoint such other employees as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this act, which employees shall be in the classified service of the civil service and shall be appointed in accordance with and shall be subject to the provisions of Title 11, Civil Service.
b. It shall be the duty of the commission to enforce the provisions of this act, to conduct hearings with regard to possible violations and to impose penalties; and for the effectual carrying out of its enforcement responsibilities the commission shall have the authority to initiate a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing compliance with the provisions of this act or enjoining violations thereof or recovering any penalty prescribed by this act. The commission shall promulgate such regulations and official forms and perform such duties as are necessary to implement the provisions of this act. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the commission is authorized and empowered to:
(1) Develop forms for the making of the required reports;
(2) Prepare and publish a manual for all candidates, political committees and continuing political committees, prescribing the requirements of the law, including uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting and requirements as to the length of time that any person required to keep any records pursuant to the provisions of this act shall retain such records, or any class or category thereof, or any other documents, including canceled checks, deposit slips, invoices and other similar documents, necessary for the compilation of such records;
(3) Develop a filing, coding and cross-indexing system;
(4) Permit copying or photo-copying of any report required to be submitted pursuant to this act as requested by any person;
(5) Prepare and make available for public inspection summaries of all said reports grouped according to candidates, parties and issues, containing the total receipts and expenditures, and the date, name, address and amount contributed by each contributor;
(6) Prepare and publish, prior to May 1 of each year, an annual report to the Legislature;
(7) Ascertain whether candidates, committees, organizations or others have failed to file reports or have filed defective reports; extend, for good cause shown, the dates upon which reports are required to be filed; give notice to delinquents to correct or explain defects; and make available for public inspection a list of such delinquents;
(8) Ascertain the total expenditures for candidates and determine whether they have exceeded the limits set forth in this act; notify candidates, committees or others if they have exceeded or are about to exceed the limits imposed;
(9) Hold public hearings, investigate allegations of any violations of this act, and issue [subpenas] subpoenas for the production of documents and the attendance of witnesses;
(10) Forward to the Attorney General or to the appropriate county prosecutor information concerning any violations of this act which may become the subject of criminal prosecution or which may warrant the institution of other legal proceedings by the Attorney General.
c. The commission shall take such steps as may be necessary or appropriate to furnish timely and adequate information, in appropriate printed summaries and in such other form as it may see fit, to every candidate or prospective candidate for public office who becomes or is likely to become subject to the provisions of this act, and to every treasurer and depository duly designated under the provisions of this act, informing them of their actual or prospective obligations and responsibilities under this act. Such steps shall include, but not be limited to, furnishing to every person on whose behalf petitions of nomination are filed for any public office a copy of such printed summary as aforesaid, which shall be furnished to such person by the commission through the public official charged with the responsibility of receiving and accepting such petitions of nomination, at the time when such petitions are filed. The commission shall also make available copies of such printed summary to any other person requesting the same. The commission shall also take such steps as it may deem necessary or effectual to disseminate among the general public such information as may serve to guide all persons who may become subject to the provisions of this act by reason of their participation in election campaigns or in the dissemination of political information, for the purpose of facilitating voluntary compliance with the provisions and purposes of this act. In the dissemination of such information, the commission shall to the greatest extent practicable enlist the cooperation of commercial purveyors, within and without the State, of materials and services commonly used for political campaign purposes.
d. If the nomination for or election to any public office or party position becomes void under the terms of subsection c. of section 21 of this act, the withholding or revocation of his certificate of election, the omission of his name from the ballot or the vacation of the office into which he has been inducted as a result of such void election, as the case may be, shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 3, articles 2 and 3, of this Title (R.S.19:3-7 et seq.).
e. The commission shall be assigned suitable quarters for the performance of its duties hereunder.
f. The commission through its legal counsel is authorized to render advisory opinions as to whether a given set of facts and circumstances would constitute a violation of any of the provisions of this act, or whether a given set of facts and circumstances would render any person subject to any of the reporting requirements of this act.
Unless an extension of time is consented to by any person requesting an advisory opinion, the commission shall render its advisory opinion within 10 days of receipt of the request therefor. Failure of the commission to reply to a request for an advisory opinion within the time so fixed or agreed to shall preclude it from instituting proceedings for imposition of a penalty upon any person for a violation of this act arising out of the particular facts and circumstances set forth in such request, except as such facts and circumstances may give rise to a violation when taken in conjunction with other facts and circumstances not set forth in such request.
g. The commission shall establish a training program for campaign treasurers and organizational treasurers and shall make the training program available through its Internet site within one year of the effective date of this act, P.L.2004, c.22.
h. On any Internet site developed by the commission to enable members of the public to ascertain information about the commission and obtain copies of the reports filed therewith pursuant to law, the commission shall ensure that the public can conduct comprehensive searches on that website that include searches indexed by contributor and the employer of each contributor.
i. The commission shall develop and provide at cost to every candidate seeking nomination for election or election to public office and to every individual serving in elective public office computer software that enables the candidate or elected official to post on a continuing basis on the Internet site of the individual a list of every campaign contribution received and campaign expenditure made, as required by section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill). The commission shall also provide at cost to candidates and elected officials such assistance and computer software updates as the commission deems necessary to maintain the required list of contributions and expenditures.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.22, s.1)
5. Section 8 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-8) is amended to read as follows:
8. a. (1) Each political committee shall make a full cumulative report, upon a form prescribed by the Election Law Enforcement Commission, of all contributions in the form of moneys, loans, paid personal services, or other things of value made to it and all expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by it in furtherance of the nomination, election or defeat of any candidate, or in aid of the passage or defeat of any public question, or to provide political information on any candidate or public question, during the period ending 48 hours preceding the date of the report and beginning on the date on which the first of those contributions was received or the first of those expenditures was made, whichever occurred first. The cumulative report, except as hereinafter provided, shall contain the name and mailing address of each person or group from whom moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value have been contributed since 48 hours preceding the date on which the previous such report was made and the amount contributed by each person or group, and where the contributor is an individual, the report shall indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. In the case of any loan reported pursuant to this subsection, the report shall contain the name and mailing address of each person who has cosigned such loan since 48 hours preceding the date on which the previous such report was made, and where an individual has cosigned such loans, the report shall indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. The cumulative report shall also contain the name and address of each person, firm or organization to whom expenditures have been paid since 48 hours preceding the date on which the previous such report was made and the amount and purpose of each such expenditure. The cumulative report shall be filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission on the dates designated in section 16 hereof.
The campaign treasurer of the political committee reporting shall certify to the correctness of each report.
Each campaign treasurer of a political committee shall file written notice with the commission of a contribution in excess of [$500] $50 received during the period between the 13th day prior to the election and the date of the election, and of an expenditure of money or other thing of value in excess of [$500] $50 made, incurred or authorized by the political committee to support or defeat a candidate in an election, or to aid the passage or defeat of any public question, during the period between the 13th day prior to the election and the date of the election. The notice of a contribution shall be filed in writing or by telegram within 48 hours of the receipt of the contribution and shall set forth the amount and date of the contribution, the name and mailing address of the contributor, and where the contributor is an individual, the individual's occupation and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. The notice of an expenditure shall be filed in writing or by telegram within 48 hours of the making, incurring or authorization of the expenditure and shall set forth the name and mailing address of the person, firm or organization to whom or which the expenditure was paid and the amount and purpose of the expenditure.
(2) When a political committee or an individual seeking party office makes or authorizes an expenditure on behalf of a candidate, it shall provide immediate written notification to the candidate of the expenditure.
b. (1) A group of two or more persons acting jointly, or any corporation, partnership, or any other incorporated or unincorporated association including a political club, political action committee, civic association or other organization, which in any calendar year contributes or expects to contribute at least $2,500.00 to the aid or promotion of the candidacy of an individual, or of the candidacies of individuals, for elective public office or the passage or defeat of a public question or public questions and which expects to make contributions toward such aid or promotion, or toward such passage or defeat, during a subsequent election shall certify that fact to the commission, and the commission, upon receiving that certification and on the basis of any information as it may require of the group, corporation, partnership, association or other organization, shall determine whether the group, corporation, partnership, association or other organization is a continuing political committee for the purposes of this act. If the commission determines that the group, corporation, partnership, association or other organization is a continuing political committee, it shall so notify that continuing political committee.
No person serving as the chairman of a political party committee or a legislative leadership committee shall be eligible to be appointed or to serve as the chairman of a continuing political committee.
(2) A continuing political committee shall file with the Election Law Enforcement Commission, not later than April 15, July 15, October 15 and January 15 of each calendar year, a cumulative quarterly report of all moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value contributed to it during the period ending on the 15th day preceding that date and commencing on January 1 of that calendar year or, in the case of the cumulative quarterly report to be filed not later than January 15, of the previous calendar year, and all expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by it during the period, whether or not such expenditures were made, incurred or authorized in furtherance of the election or defeat of any candidate, or in aid of the passage or defeat of any public question or to provide information on any candidate or public question.
The cumulative quarterly report shall contain the name and mailing address of each person or group from whom moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value have been contributed and the amount contributed by each person or group, and where an individual has made such contributions, the report shall indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. In the case of any loan reported pursuant to this subsection, the report shall contain the name and address of each person who cosigns such loan, and where an individual has cosigned such loans, the report shall indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. The report shall also contain the name and address of each person, firm or organization to whom expenditures have been paid and the amount and purpose of each such expenditure. The treasurer of the continuing political committee reporting shall certify to the correctness of each cumulative quarterly report.
Each continuing political committee shall provide immediate written notification to each candidate of all expenditures made or authorized on behalf of the candidate.
If any continuing political committee submitting cumulative quarterly reports as provided under this subsection receives a contribution from a single source of more than [$500] $50 after the final day of a quarterly reporting period and on or before a primary, general, municipal, school or special election which occurs after that final day but prior to the final day of the next reporting period it shall, in writing or by telegram, report that contribution to the commission within 48 hours of the receipt thereof, including in that report the amount and date of the contribution; the name and mailing address of the contributor; and where the contributor is an individual, the individual's occupation and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. If any continuing political committee makes or authorizes an expenditure of money or other thing of value in excess of [$500] $50, or incurs any obligation therefor, to support or defeat a candidate in an election, or to aid the passage or defeat of any public question, after March 31 and on or before the day of the primary election, or after September 30 and on or before the day of the general election, it shall, in writing or by telegram, report that expenditure to the commission within 48 hours of the making, authorizing or incurring thereof.
A continuing political committee which ceases making contributions toward the aiding or promoting of the candidacy of an individual, or of the candidacies of individuals, for elective public office in this State or the passage or defeat of a public question or public questions in this State shall certify that fact in writing to the commission, and that certification shall be accompanied by a final accounting of any fund relating to such aiding or promoting including the final disposition of any balance in such fund at the time of dissolution. Until that certification has been filed, the committee shall continue to file the quarterly reports as provided under this subsection.
c. Each political party committee and each legislative leadership committee shall file with the Election Law Enforcement Commission, not later than April 15, July 15, October 15 and January 15 of each calendar year, a cumulative quarterly report of all moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value contributed to it during the period ending on the 15th day preceding that date and commencing on January 1 of that calendar year or, in the case of the cumulative quarterly report to be filed not later than January 15, of the previous calendar year, and all expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by it during the period, whether or not such expenditures were made, incurred or authorized in furtherance of the election or defeat of any candidate, or in aid of the passage or defeat of any public question or to provide information on any candidate or public question.
The cumulative quarterly report shall contain the name and mailing address of each person or group from whom moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value have been contributed and the amount contributed by each person or group, and where an individual has made such contributions, the report shall indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. In the case of any loan reported pursuant to this subsection, the report shall contain the name and address of each person who cosigns such loan, and where an individual has cosigned such loans, the report shall indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. The report shall also contain the name and address of each person, firm or organization to whom expenditures have been paid and the amount and purpose of each such expenditure. The treasurer of the political party committee or legislative leadership committee reporting shall certify to the correctness of each cumulative quarterly report.
If a political party committee or a legislative leadership committee submitting cumulative quarterly reports as provided under this subsection receives a contribution from a single source of more than [$500] $50 after the final day of a quarterly reporting period and on or before a primary, general, municipal, school or special election which occurs after that final day but prior to the final day of the next reporting period it shall, in writing or by telegram, report that contribution to the commission within 48 hours of the receipt thereof, including in that report the amount and date of the contribution; the name and mailing address of the contributor; and where the contributor is an individual, the individual's occupation and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. If a political party committee or a legislative leadership committee submitting cumulative quarterly reports as provided under this subsection makes or authorizes an expenditure of money or other thing of value in excess of [$800] $50, or incurs any obligation therefor, to support or defeat a candidate in an election, or to aid the passage or defeat of any public question, after March 31 and on or before the day of the primary election, or after September 30 and on or before the day of the general election, it shall, in writing or by telegram, report that expenditure to the commission within 48 hours of the making, authorizing or incurring thereof.
d. In any report filed pursuant to the provisions of this section the organization or committee reporting may exclude from the report the name of and other information relating to any contributor whose contributions during the period covered by the report did not exceed [$300] $50, provided, however, that (1) such exclusion is unlawful if any person responsible for the preparation or filing of the report knew that it was made with respect to any person whose contributions relating to the same election or issue and made to the reporting organization or committee aggregate, in combination with the contribution in respect of which such exclusion is made, more than [$300] $50 and (2) any person who knowingly prepares, assists in preparing, files or acquiesces in the filing of any report from which the identification of a contributor has been excluded contrary to the provisions of this section is subject to the provisions of section 21 of this act, but (3) nothing in this proviso shall be construed as requiring any committee or organization reporting pursuant to this act to report the amounts, dates or other circumstantial data regarding contributions made to any other organization or political committee, political party committee or campaign organization of a candidate.
Any report filed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall include an itemized accounting of all receipts and expenditures relative to any testimonial affairs held since the date of the most recent report filed, which accounting shall include the name and mailing address of each contributor in excess of [$300] $50 to such testimonial affair and the amount contributed by each; in the case of an individual contributor, the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer; the expenses incurred; and the disposition of the proceeds of such testimonial affair.
The [$300] $50 limit established in this subsection shall remain as stated in this subsection without further adjustment by the commission in the manner prescribed by section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2).
(cf: P.L.2004, c.33, s.1)
6. Section 11 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-11) is amended to read as follows:
11. No contribution of money or other thing of value, nor obligation therefor, including but not limited to contributions, loans or obligations of a candidate himself or of his family, shall be made or received, and no expenditure of money or other thing of value, nor obligation therefor, including expenditures, loans or obligations of a candidate himself or of his family, shall be made or incurred, directly or indirectly, to support or defeat a candidate in any election, or to aid the passage or defeat of any public question, except through:
a. The duly appointed campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurers of the candidate committee or joint candidates committee;
b. The duly appointed organizational treasurer or deputy organizational treasurers of a political party committee or a continuing political committee;
c. The duly appointed campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurers of a political committee; or
d. The duly appointed organizational treasurer or deputy organizational treasurer of a legislative leadership committee.
It shall be lawful, however, for any person, not acting in concert with any other person or group, to expend personally from his own funds a sum which is not to be repaid to him for any purpose not prohibited by law, or to contribute his own personal services and personal traveling expenses, to support or defeat a candidate or to aid the passage or defeat of a public question; provided, however, that any person making such expenditure shall be required to report his or her name and mailing address and the amount of all such expenditures and expenses, except personal traveling expenses, if the total of the money so expended, exclusive of such traveling expenses, exceeds [$500] $50, and also, where the person is an individual, to report the individual's occupation and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer, to the Election Law Enforcement Commission at the same time and in the same manner as a political committee subject to the provisions of section 8 of this act. Such expenditure made during the period between the 13th day prior to the election and the date of the election shall be filed in writing or by telegram within 48 hours of the making, incurring or authorization of the expenditure and shall set forth the name and mailing address of the person, firm or organization to whom or which the expenditure was paid and the amount and purpose of the expenditure.
No contribution of money shall be made in currency, except contributions in response to a public solicitation, provided that cumulative currency contributions of up to [$200] $50 may be made to a candidate committee or joint candidates committee, a political committee, a continuing political committee, a legislative leadership committee or a political party committee if the contributor submits with the currency contribution a written statement of a form as prescribed by the commission, indicating the contributor's name, mailing address and occupation and the amount of the contribution, including the contributor's signature and the name and mailing address of the contributor's employer. Adjustments to the [$200] limit established in this paragraph which have been made by the Election Law Enforcement Commission, pursuant to section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2), prior to the effective date of P.L.2004, c.28 or P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill) are rescinded. The [$200] $50 limit established in this paragraph shall remain as stated in this paragraph without further adjustment by the commission in the manner prescribed by section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2).
Any anonymous contribution received by a campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer shall not be used or expended, but shall be returned to the donor, if his identity is known, and if no donor is found, the contribution shall escheat to the State.
No person, partnership or association, either directly or through an agent, shall make any loan or advance, the proceeds of which that person, partnership or association knows or has reason to know or believe are intended to be used by the recipient thereof to make a contribution or expenditure, except by check or money order identifying the name, mailing address and occupation or business of the maker of the loan, and, if the maker is an individual, the name and mailing address of that individual's employer; provided, however, that such loans or advances to a single individual, up to a cumulative amount of $50 in any calendar year, may be made in currency.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.33, s.2)
7. Section 18 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-11.3) is amended to read as follows:
18. a. No individual, other than an individual who is a candidate, no corporation of any kind organized and incorporated under the laws of this State or any other state or any country other than the United States, no labor organization of any kind which exists or is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with employers concerning the grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, business entity, or any group shall: (1) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to a candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or candidate committee which in the aggregate exceeds [$2,600] $2,500 per election, or (2) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or joint candidates committee, which in the aggregate exceeds [$2,600] $2,500 per election per candidate, or (3) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to a candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee, which in the aggregate exceeds [$2,600] $2,500 per election. No candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or candidate committee shall knowingly accept from an individual, other than an individual who is a candidate, a corporation of any kind organized and incorporated under the laws of this State or any other state or any country other than the United States, a labor organization of any kind which exists or is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with employers concerning the grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, business entity, or any group any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$2,600] $2,500 per election, and no candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, or their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or joint candidates committee, shall knowingly accept from any such source any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$2,600] $2,500 per election per candidate, and no candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee shall knowingly accept from any such source any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$2,600] $2,500 per election.
b. (1) No political committee or continuing political committee shall: (a) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to a candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or candidate committee, other than a candidate for nomination for election for the office of Governor or candidates for election for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election, or (b) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer, or the joint candidates committee, which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election per candidate, or (c) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to a candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee, which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election. No candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or candidate committee, other than a candidate for nomination for election for the office of Governor or candidates for election for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, shall knowingly accept from any political committee or continuing political committee any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election, and no candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or joint candidates committee, shall knowingly accept from any such source any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election per candidate, and no candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee shall knowingly accept from any such source any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election.
(2) The limitation upon the knowing acceptance by a candidate, campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, candidate committee or joint candidates committee of any contribution of money or other thing of value from a political committee or continuing political committee under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall also be applicable to the knowing acceptance of any such contribution from the county committee of a political party by a candidate or the campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, candidate committee or joint candidates committee of a candidate for any elective public office in another county or, in the case of a candidate for nomination for election or for election to the office of member of the Legislature, in a legislative district in which, according to the federal decennial census upon the basis of which legislative districts shall have been established, less than 20% of the population resides within the county of that county committee. In addition, all contributor reporting requirements and other restrictions and regulations applicable to a contribution of money or other thing of value by a political committee or continuing political committee under the provisions of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-1 et al.) shall likewise be applicable to the making or payment of such a contribution by such a county committee.
The limitation upon the knowing acceptance by a candidate, campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, candidate committee or joint candidates committee of any contribution of money or other thing of value from a political committee or continuing political committee under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection, except that the amount of any contribution of money or other thing of value shall be in an amount which in the aggregate does not exceed $25,000, shall also be applicable to the knowing acceptance of any such contribution from the county committee of a political party by a candidate, or the campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, candidate committee or joint candidates committee of a candidate, for nomination for election or for election to the office of member of the Legislature in a legislative district in which, according to the federal decennial census upon the basis of which legislative districts shall have been established, at least 20% but less than 40% of the population resides within the county of that county committee. In addition, all contributor reporting requirements and other restrictions and regulations applicable to a contribution of money or other thing of value by a political committee or continuing political committee under the provisions of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-1 et al.) shall likewise be applicable to the making or payment of such a contribution by such a county committee.
With respect to the limitations in this paragraph, the Legislature finds and declares that:
(a) Persons making contributions to the county committee of a political party have a right to expect that their money will be used, for the most part, to support candidates for elective office who will most directly represent the interest of that county;
(b) The practice of allowing a county committee to use funds raised with this expectation to make unlimited contributions to candidates for the Legislature who may have a limited, or even nonexistent, connection with that county serves to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process;
(c) Furthermore, the risk of actual or perceived corruption is raised by the potential for contributors to circumvent limits on contributions to candidates by funneling money to candidates through county committees;
(d) The State has a compelling interest in preventing the actuality or appearance of corruption and in protecting public confidence in democratic institutions by limiting amounts which a county committee may contribute to legislative candidates whose districts are not located in close proximity to that county; and
(e) It is, therefore, reasonable for the State to promote this compelling interest by limiting the amount a county committee may give to a legislative candidate based upon the degree to which the population of the legislative district overlaps with the population of that county.
c. (1) No candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy treasurer or candidate committee shall (a) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to another candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or candidate committee, other than a candidate for nomination for election for the office of Governor or candidates for election for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election, or (b) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or joint candidates committee, which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election per candidate in the recipient committee, or (c) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to a candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee, which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election. No candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or candidate committee, other than a candidate for nomination for election for the office of Governor or candidates for election to the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, shall knowingly accept from another candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or candidate committee, any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election, and no candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or joint candidates committee, shall knowingly accept from any such source any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election per candidate in the recipient committee, and no candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee, shall knowingly accept from any such source any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election.
(2) No candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or joint candidates committee shall (a) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to another candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or candidate committee, other than a candidate for nomination for election for the office of Governor or candidates for election for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, which in the aggregate exceeds, on the basis of each candidate in the contributing joint candidates committee, [$8,200] $2,500 per election, or (b) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or joint candidates committee, which in the aggregate exceeds, on the basis of each candidate in the contributing joint candidates committee, [$8,200] $2,500 per election per candidate in the recipient joint candidates committee, or (c) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to a candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers or candidate committee or joint candidates committee, which in the aggregate exceeds, on the basis of each candidate in the contributing joint candidates committee, [$8,200] $2,500 per election. No candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or candidate committee, other than a candidate for nomination for election for the office of Governor or candidates for election for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, shall knowingly accept from other candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or joint candidates committee, any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds, on the basis of each candidate in the contributing committee, [$8,200] $2,500 per election, and no candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or joint candidates committee, shall knowingly accept from any such source any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds, on the basis of each candidate in the contributing joint candidates committee, [$8,200] $2,500 per election per candidate in the recipient joint candidates committee, and no candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee, shall knowingly accept from any such source any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds, on the basis of each candidate in the contributing joint candidates committee, [$8,200] $2,500 per election.
(3) No candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee shall (a) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to another candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or candidate committee, other than a candidate for nomination for election for the office of Governor or candidates for election for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election, or (b) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or joint candidates committee, which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election per candidate in the recipient joint candidates committee, or (c) pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to a candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee, which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election. No candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or candidate committee, other than a candidate for nomination for election for the office of Governor or candidates for election for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, shall knowingly accept from a candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee, any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election, and no candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or joint candidates committee, shall knowingly accept from any such source any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election per candidate in the recipient joint candidates committee, and no candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee, the campaign treasurers, deputy campaign treasurers, or candidate committee or joint candidates committee shall knowingly accept from any such source any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$8,200] $2,500 per election.
(4) Expenditures by a candidate for nomination for election or for election to the office of member of the Legislature or to an office of a political subdivision of the State, or by the campaign treasurer, deputy treasurer, candidate committee or joint candidates committee of such a candidate, which are made in furtherance of the nomination or election, respectively, of another candidate for the same office in the same legislative district or the same political subdivision shall not be construed to be subject to any limitation under this subsection; for the purposes of this sentence, the offices of member of the State Senate and member of the General Assembly shall be deemed to be the same office.
d. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to impose any limitation on contributions by a candidate, or by a corporation, 100% of the stock in which is owned by a candidate or the candidate's spouse, child, parent or sibling residing in the same household, to that candidate's campaign.
e. For the purpose of determining the amount of a contribution to be attributed as given to or by each candidate in a joint candidates committee, the amount of the contribution to or by such a committee shall be divided equally among all the candidates in the committee.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.66, s.12)
8. Section 19 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-11.4) is amended to read as follows:
19. a. (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, no individual, no corporation of any kind organized and incorporated under the laws of this State or any other state or any country other than the United States, no labor organization of any kind which exists or is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with employers concerning the grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, no political committee, continuing political committee, candidate committee or joint candidates committee, business entity, or any other group, shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to the campaign treasurer, deputy treasurer or other representative of the State committee of a political party or the campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or other representative of any legislative leadership committee, which in the aggregate exceeds [$25,000] $5,000 per year, or in the case of a joint candidates committee when that is the only committee established by the candidates, [$25,000] $5,000 per year per candidate in the joint candidates committee, or in the case of a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee when both are established by a candidate, [$25,000] $5,000 per year from that candidate. No campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or other representative of the State committee of a political party or campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or other representative of any legislative leadership committee shall knowingly accept from an individual, a corporation of any kind organized and incorporated under the laws of this State or any other state or any country other than the United States, a labor organization of any kind which exists or is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with employers concerning the grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, a political committee, a continuing political committee, a candidate committee or a joint candidates committee, business entity, or any other group, any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$25,000] $5,000 per year, or in the case of a joint candidates committee when that is the only committee established by the candidates, [$25,000] $5,000 per year per candidate in the joint candidates committee, or in the case of a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee when both are established by a candidate, [$25,000] $5,000 per year from that candidate.
(2) No national committee of a political party shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to the campaign treasurer, deputy treasurer or other representative of the State committee of a political party which in the aggregate exceeds [$72,000] $5,000 per year, and no campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or other representative of the State committee of a political party shall knowingly accept from the national committee of a political party any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$72,000] $5,000 per year.
b. No individual, no corporation of any kind organized and incorporated under the laws of this State or any other state or any country other than the United States, no labor organization of any kind which exists or is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with employers concerning the grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, no political committee, continuing political committee, candidate committee or joint candidates committee, business entity, or any other group, shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to any county committee of a political party, which in the aggregate exceeds [$37,000] $5,000 per year, or in the case of a joint candidates committee when that is the only committee established by the candidates, [$37,000] $5,000 per year per candidate in the joint candidates committee, or in the case of a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee when both are established by a candidate, [$37,000] $5,000 per year from that candidate. No campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or other representative of a county committee of a political party shall knowingly accept from an individual, a corporation of any kind organized and incorporated under the laws of this State or any other state or any country other than the United States, a labor organization of any kind which exists or is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with employers concerning the grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, a political committee, a continuing political committee, a candidate committee or a joint candidates committee, business entity, or any other group, any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$37,000] $5,000 per year, or in the case of a joint candidates committee when that is the only committee established by the candidates, [$37,000] $5,000 per year per candidate in the joint candidates committee, or in the case of a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee when both are established by a candidate, [$37,000] $5,000 per year from that candidate.
c. No individual, no corporation of any kind organized and incorporated under the laws of this State or any other state or any country other than the United States, no labor organization of any kind which exists or is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with employers concerning the grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, no political committee, continuing political committee, candidate committee or joint candidates committee, business entity, or any other group shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to any municipal committee of a political party, which in the aggregate exceeds [$7,200] $5,000 per year, or in the case of a joint candidates committee when that is the only committee established by the candidates, [$7,200] $5,000 per year per candidate in the joint candidates committee, or in the case of a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee when both are established by a candidate, [$7,200] $5,000 per year from that candidate. No campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or other representative of a municipal committee of a political party shall knowingly accept from an individual, a corporation of any kind organized and incorporated under the laws of this State or any other state or any country other than the United States, a labor organization of any kind which exists or is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with employers concerning the grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, a political committee, a continuing political committee, a candidate committee or a joint candidates committee, business entity, or any other group, any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds [$7,200] $5,000 per year, or in the case of a joint candidates committee when that is the only committee established by the candidates, [$7,200] $5,000 per year per candidate in the joint candidates committee, or in the case of a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee when both are established by a candidate, [$7,200] $5,000 per year from that candidate.
No county committee of a political party in any county shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to a municipal committee of a political party in a municipality not located in that county which in the aggregate exceeds the amount of aggregate contributions which, under this subsection, a continuing political committee is permitted to pay or make to a municipal committee of a political party. No campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or other representative of a municipal committee of a political party in any municipality shall knowingly accept from any county committee of a political party in any county other than the county in which the municipality is located any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds the amount of contributions permitted to be so paid or made under that subsection.
d. For the purpose of determining the amount of a contribution to be attributed as given by each candidate in a joint candidates committee, the amount of the contribution by such a committee shall be divided equally among all the candidates in the committee.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.174, s.4)
9. Section 20 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-11.5) is amended to read as follows:
20. a. No candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy treasurer or candidate committee shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to a political committee, other than a political committee which is organized to, or does, aid or promote the passage or defeat of a public question in any election, or a continuing political committee, which in the aggregate exceeds, in the case of such a political committee, [$7,200] $2,500 per election, or in the case of a continuing political committee, [$7,200] $5,000 per year, and no candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer or joint candidates committee shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to such a political committee or continuing political committee which in the aggregate exceeds, in the case of such a political committee, [$7,200] $2,500 per election per candidate in the joint candidates committee, or in the case of a continuing political committee, [$7,200] $5,000 per year per candidate in the joint candidates committee, and no candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds, in the case of such a political committee, [$7,200] $2,500 per election from that candidate, or in the case of a continuing political committee, [$7,200] $5,000 per year from that candidate. No political committee, other than a political committee which is organized to, or does, aid or promote the passage or defeat of a public question in any election, or a continuing political committee, shall knowingly accept from a candidate who has established only a candidate committee, his campaign treasurer, deputy treasurer or candidate committee, any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds, in the case of such a political committee, [$7,200] $2,500 per election, or in the case of a continuing political committee, [$7,200] $5,000 per year, and no such political committee or continuing political committee shall knowingly accept from candidates who have established only a joint candidates committee, their campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or joint candidates committee, any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds, in the case of such a political committee, [$7,200] $2,500 per election per candidate in the joint candidates committee, or in the case of a continuing political committee, [$7,200] $5,000 per year per candidate in the joint candidates committee, and no such political committee or continuing political committee shall knowingly accept from a candidate who has established both a candidate committee and a joint candidates committee any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds, in the case of such a political committee, [$7,200] $2,500 per election from that candidate, or in the case of a continuing political committee, [$7,200] $5,000 per year from that candidate. For the purpose of determining the amount of a contribution to be attributed as given by each candidate in a joint candidates committee, the amount of the contribution by such a committee shall be divided equally among all the candidates in the committee.
b. No political committee, other than a political committee which is organized to, or does, aid or promote the passage or defeat of a public question in any election, and no continuing political committee shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to another political committee, other than a political committee which is organized to, or does, aid or promote the passage or defeat of a public question in any election, or another continuing political committee which in the aggregate exceeds, in the case of a recipient continuing political committee, [$7,200] $5,000 per year, or in the case of a recipient political committee, [$7,200] $2,500 per election. No political committee, other than a political committee which is organized to, or does, aid or promote the passage or defeat of a public question in any election, and no continuing political committee shall knowingly accept from another political committee, other than a political committee which is organized to, or does, aid or promote the passage or defeat of a public question in any election, or another continuing political committee any contribution of money or other thing of value which in the aggregate exceeds, in the case of a recipient continuing political committee, [$7,200] $5,000 per year, or in the case of a recipient political committee, [$7,200] $2,500 per election.
c. No individual, no corporation of any kind organized and incorporated under the laws of this State or any other state or any country other than the United States, no labor organization of any kind which exists or is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with employees concerning the grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, business entity, nor any other group, shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to a political committee, other than a political committee which is organized to, or does, aid or promote the passage or defeat of a public question in any election, or a continuing political committee, which in the aggregate exceeds, in the case of such a political committee, [$7,200] $2,500 per election, or in the case of a continuing political committee, [$7,200] $2,500 per year, and no such political committee or continuing political committee shall knowingly accept any contribution in excess of those amounts from an individual or from such corporation, labor organization, business entity, or other group.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.384, s.3)
10. (New section) No legislative leadership committee or State, county, or municipal political party committee shall pay or make any contribution of money or other thing of value to any candidate committee or joint candidates committee which in the aggregate exceeds $2,500 per election, or to any legislative leadership committee, political committee, continuing political committee or political party committee, which in the aggregate exceeds $5,000 per year, and no such candidate or committee shall knowingly accept more than that amount from such a committee.
11. Section 16 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-16) is amended to read as follows:
16. a. The campaign treasurer of each candidate committee and joint candidates committee shall make a full cumulative report, upon a form prescribed by the Election Law Enforcement Commission, of all contributions in the form of moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value, made to him or to the deputy campaign treasurers of the candidate committee or joint candidates committee, and all expenditures paid out of the election fund of the candidate or candidates, during the period ending with the second day preceding the date of the cumulative report and beginning on the date of the first of those contributions, the date of the first of those expenditures, or the date of the appointment of the campaign treasurer, whichever occurred first. The report shall also contain the name and mailing address of each person or group from whom moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value were contributed after the second day preceding the date of the previous cumulative report and the amount contributed by each person or group, and where an individual has made such contributions, the report shall indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. In the case of any loan reported pursuant to this section, the report shall further contain the name and mailing address of each person who cosigns such loan, the occupation of the person and the name and mailing address of the person's employer. If no moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value were contributed, the report shall so indicate, and if no expenditures were paid or incurred, the report shall likewise so indicate. The campaign treasurer and the candidate or several candidates shall certify the correctness of the report.
b. During the period between the appointment of the campaign treasurer and the election with respect to which contributions are accepted or expenditures made by him, the campaign treasurer shall file his cumulative campaign report (1) on the 29th day preceding the election, and (2) on the 11th day preceding the election; and after the election he shall file his report on the 20th day following such election. Concurrent with the report filed on the 20th day following an election, or at any time thereafter, the campaign treasurer of a candidate committee or joint candidates committee may certify to the Election Law Enforcement Commission that the election fund of such candidate committee or joint candidates committee has wound up its business and been dissolved, or that business regarding the late election has been wound up but the candidate committee or joint candidates committee will continue for the deposit and use of contributions in accordance with section 17 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-11.2). Certification shall be accompanied by a final accounting of such election fund, or of the transactions relating to such election, including the final disposition of any balance remaining in such fund at the time of dissolution or the arrangements which have been made for the discharge of any obligations remaining unpaid at the time of dissolution. Until the candidate committee or joint candidates committee is dissolved, each such treasurer shall continue to file reports in the form and manner herein prescribed.
The Election Law Enforcement Commission shall promulgate regulations providing for the termination of post-election campaign reporting requirements applicable to political committees, candidate committees and joint candidates committees. The requirements to file quarterly reports after the first post-election report may be waived by the commission, notwithstanding that the certification has not been filed, if the commission determines under any regulations so promulgated that the outstanding obligations of the political committee, candidate committee or joint candidates committee do not exceed 10% of the expenditures of the campaign fund with respect to the election or [$1,000.00] $50, whichever is less, or are likely to be discharged or forgiven.
A candidate committee or joint candidates committee shall file with the Election Law Enforcement Commission, not later than April 15, July 15, October 15 of each calendar year in which the candidate or candidates in control of the committee does or do not run for election or reelection and January 15 of each calendar year in which the candidate or candidates does or do run for election or reelection, a cumulative quarterly report of all moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value contributed to it or to the candidate or candidates during the period ending on the 15th day preceding that date and commencing on January 1 of that calendar year or, in the case of the cumulative quarterly report to be filed not later than January 15, of the previous calendar year, and all expenditures made, incurred, or authorized by it or the candidate or candidates during the period, whether or not such expenditures were made, incurred or authorized in furtherance of the election or defeat of any candidate, or in aid of the passage or defeat of any public question or to provide information on any candidate or public question. The commission may by regulation require any such candidate committee or joint candidates committee to file during any calendar year one or more additional cumulative reports of such contributions received and expenditures made as may be necessary to ensure that no more than five months shall elapse between the last day of a period covered by one such report and the last day of the period covered by the next such report.
The commission, on any form it shall prescribe for the reporting of expenditures by a candidate committee or joint candidates committee, shall provide for the grouping together of all expenditures under the category of "campaign expenses" under paragraph (1) of subsection a. of section 17 of P.L.1993, c.65, identified as such, and for the grouping together, separately, of all other expenditures under the categories prescribed by paragraphs (2) through (6) of that subsection. The cumulative quarterly report due on April 15 in a year immediately after the year in which the candidate or candidates does or do run for election or reelection shall contain a report of all of the contributions received and expenditures made by the candidate or candidates since the 18th day after that election.
The cumulative quarterly report shall contain the name and mailing address of each person or group from whom moneys, loans, paid personal services or other things of value have been contributed and the amount contributed by each person or group, and where an individual has made such contributions, the report shall indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. In the case of any loan reported pursuant to this section, the report shall contain the name and address of each person who cosigns such loan, and where an individual has cosigned such loans, the report shall indicate the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of his employer. The report shall also contain the name and address of each person, firm or organization to whom expenditures have been paid and the amount and purpose of each such expenditure. The treasurer of the candidate committee or joint candidates committee and the candidate or candidates shall certify to the correctness of each cumulative quarterly report.
c. In the case of an election of a candidate for an office elected by a municipal or countywide constituency or a school district a duplicate copy of the campaign treasurer's report, duly certified, shall be filed at the same time with the county clerk of the county in which the candidate resides and the county clerk shall retain a written record of that filing for a period of not less than four years following the date of the election.
d. There shall be no obligation to file the reports required by this section on behalf of a candidate if such candidate files with the Election Law Enforcement Commission a sworn statement to the effect that the total amount to be expended in behalf of his candidacy by the candidate committee, by any political party committee, by any political committee, or by any person shall not in the aggregate exceed [$2,000.00] $50 or [$4,000] $100 for any joint candidates committee containing two candidates or [$6,000] $150 for any joint candidates committee containing three or more candidates. The sworn statement may be submitted at the time when the name and address of the campaign treasurer and depository is filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission, provided that in any case the sworn statement is filed no later than the 29th day before an election. If a candidate who has filed such a sworn statement receives contributions from any one source aggregating more than [$300] $50 he shall forthwith make report of the same, including the name and mailing address of the source and the aggregate total of contributions therefrom, and where the source is an individual, the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer, to the Election Law Enforcement Commission. The [$300] $50 limit established in this subsection shall remain as stated in this subsection without further adjustment by the commission in the manner prescribed by section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2).
e. There shall be no obligation imposed upon a candidate seeking election to a public office of a school district to file either the reports required under subsection b. of this section or the sworn statement referred to in subsection d. of this section, if the total amount expended and to be expended in behalf of his candidacy by the candidate committee, any political committee, any continuing political committee, or a political party committee or by any person, does not in the aggregate exceed [$2,000.00] $50 per election or [$4,000] $100 for any joint candidates committee containing two candidates or [$6,000] $150 for any joint candidates committee containing three or more candidates; provided, that if such candidate receives contributions from any one source aggregating more than [$300] $50, he shall forthwith make a report of the same, including the name and mailing address of the source, the aggregate total of contributions therefrom, and where the source is an individual, the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer, to the commission.
The [$300] $50 limit established in this subsection shall remain as stated in this subsection without further adjustment by the commission in the manner prescribed by section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2).
f. In any report filed pursuant to the provisions of this section, the names and addresses of contributors whose contributions during the period covered by the report did not exceed [$300] $50 may be excluded; provided, however, that (1) such exclusion is unlawful if any person responsible for the preparation or filing of the report knew that such exclusion was made with respect to any person whose total contributions relating to the same election and made to the reporting candidate or to an allied campaign organization or organizations aggregate, in combination with the total contributions in respect of which such exclusion is made, more than [$300] $50, and (2) any person who knowingly prepares, assists in preparing, files or acquiesces in the filing of any report from which the identity of any contributor has been excluded contrary to the provisions of this section is subject to the provisions of section 21 of this act, but (3) nothing in this proviso shall be construed as requiring any candidate committee or joint candidates committee reporting pursuant to this act to report the amounts, dates or other circumstantial data regarding contributions made to any other candidate committee, joint candidates committee, political committee, continuing political committee, political party committee or legislative leadership committee.
The [$300] $50 limit established in this subsection shall remain as stated in this subsection without further adjustment by the commission in the manner prescribed by section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2).
g. Any report filed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall include an itemized accounting of all receipts and expenditures relative to any testimonial affair held since the date of the most recent report filed, which accounting shall include the name and mailing address of each contributor in excess of [$300] $50 to such testimonial affair and the amount contributed by each; in the case of any individual contributor, the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer; the expenses incurred; and the disposition of the proceeds of such testimonial affair.
The [$300] $50 limit established in this subsection shall remain as stated in this subsection without further adjustment by the commission in the manner prescribed by section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2).
h. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1993, c.65.)
i. Each campaign treasurer of a candidate committee or joint candidates committee shall file written notice with the commission of a contribution in excess of [$500] $50 received during the period between the 13th day prior to the election and the date of the election and of an expenditure of money or other thing of value in excess of [$800] $50 made, incurred or authorized by the candidate committee or joint candidates committee to support or defeat a candidate in an election, or to aid the passage or defeat of any public question, during the period between the 13th day prior to the election and the date of the election, provided that a candidate shall not be required to file written notice pursuant to this subsection of an expenditure made to support his or her own candidacy, or to support or defeat a candidate for the same office in an election. For the purposes of this subsection, the offices of member of the Senate and member of the General Assembly shall be deemed to be the same office in a legislative district; the offices of member of the board of chosen freeholders and county executive shall be deemed to be the same office in a county; and the offices of mayor and member of the municipal governing body shall be deemed to be the same office in a municipality.
The notice of a contribution shall be filed in writing or by telegram within 48 hours of the receipt of the contribution and shall set forth the amount and date of the contribution, the name and mailing address of the contributor, and where the contributor is an individual, the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. he notice of an expenditure shall be filed in writing or by telegram within 48 hours of the making, incurring or authorization of the expenditure and shall set forth the name and mailing address of the person, firm or organization to whom or which the expenditure was paid and the amount and purpose of the expenditure.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.33, s.3)
12. Section 19 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-19) is amended to read as follows:
19. a. No person shall conduct any public solicitation as defined in this act except (1) upon written authorization of the campaign or organizational treasurer of the candidate committee or joint candidates committee, political committee, continuing political committee, political party committee or legislative leadership committee on whose behalf such solicitation is conducted, or (2) in accordance with the provisions of subsection c. of this section. A person with such written authorization may employ and accept the services of others as solicitors, and shall be responsible for reporting to the treasurer the information required under subsection b. of this section and for delivery to the treasurer the net proceeds of such solicitation in compliance with section 11 of this act. A contribution made through donation or purchase in response to a public solicitation conducted pursuant to written authorization of a treasurer shall be deemed to have been made through such treasurer.
b. Whenever a public solicitation has been authorized by a treasurer during a period covered by a report required to be filed under sections 8 and 16 of this act, there shall be filed with such report and as a part thereof an itemized report on any such solicitation of which the net proceeds exceed [$200] $50, in such form and detail as required by the rules of the Election Law Enforcement Commission, which report shall include:
(1) The name and mailing address of the person authorized to conduct such solicitation, the method of solicitation and, where the person is an individual, the occupation of the individual and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer;
(2) The gross receipts and expenses involved in the solicitation including the actual amount paid for any items purchased for resale in connection with the solicitation, or, if such items or any portion of the cost thereof was donated, the estimated actual value thereof and the actual amount paid therefor, and the names and addresses of any such donors. If it is not practicable for such itemized report to be completed in time to be included with the report due under sections 8 and 16 of this act for the period during which such solicitation was held, then such itemized report may be omitted from said report and if so omitted shall be included in the report for the next succeeding period.
Adjustments to the [$200] limit established in this subsection which have been made by the Election Law Enforcement Commission, pursuant to section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2), prior to the effective date of P.L.2004, c.28 or P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill) are rescinded. The [$200] $50 limit established in this subsection shall remain as stated in this subsection without further adjustment by the commission in the manner prescribed by section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2).
c. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of this section, it shall be lawful for any natural person, not acting in concert with any other person or group, to make personally a public solicitation the entire proceeds of which, without deduction for the expenses of solicitation, are to be expended by him personally or under his personal direction to finance any lawful activity in support of or opposition to any candidate or public question or to provide political information on any candidate or public question or to seek to influence the content, introduction, passage or defeat of legislation; provided, however, that any individual making such solicitation who receives gross contributions exceeding [$200] $50 in respect to activities relating to any one election shall be required to make a report stating (1) the amount so collected, (2) the method of solicitation, (3) the purpose or purposes for which the funds so collected were expended and the amount expended for each such purpose and (4) the individual's name and mailing address, the individual's occupation and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer. Adjustments to the [$200] limit established in this subsection which have been made by the Election Law Enforcement Commission, pursuant to section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2), prior to the effective date of P.L.2004, c.28 or P.L. c, (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill) are rescinded. The [$200] $50 limit established in this subsection shall remain as stated in this subsection without further adjustment by the commission in the manner prescribed by section 22 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-7.2).
Such report shall be made to the Election Law Enforcement Commission at the same time and in the same manner as a political committee, continuing political committee, political party committee or a legislative leadership committee subject to the provisions of section 8 of this act.
d. Contributions or purchases made in response to a public solicitation conducted in conformity with the requirements and conditions of this act shall not be deemed anonymous within the meaning of sections 11 and 20 of this act.
e. No person contributing in good faith to a public solicitation not duly authorized in compliance with the provisions of this act shall be liable to any penalty under this act by reason of having made such contribution.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.28, s.6)
13. Section 3 of P.L.2005, c.271 (C.19:44A-20.27) is amended to read as follows:
3. a. Any business entity making a contribution of money or any other thing of value, including an in-kind contribution, or pledge to make a contribution of any kind to a candidate for or the holder of any public office having ultimate responsibility for the awarding of public contracts, or to a political party committee, legislative leadership committee, political committee or continuing political committee, which has received in any calendar year $50,000 or more in the aggregate through agreements or contracts with a public entity, shall file an annual disclosure statement with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, established pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-5), setting forth all such contributions made by the business entity during the 12 months prior to the reporting deadline.
b. The commission shall prescribe forms and procedures for the reporting required in subsection a. of this section which shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) the name and mailing address of the business entity making the contribution, and the amount contributed during the 12 months prior to the reporting deadline;
(2) the name of the candidate for or the holder of any public office having ultimate responsibility for the awarding of public contracts, candidate committee, joint candidates committee, political party committee, legislative leadership committee, political committee or continuing political committee receiving the contribution; and
(3) the amount of money the business entity received from the public entity through contract or agreement, the dates, and information identifying each contract or agreement and describing the goods, services or equipment provided or property sold.
c. The commission shall maintain a list of such reports for public inspection both at its office and through its Internet site.
[d. When a business entity is a natural person, a contribution by that person's spouse or child, residing therewith, shall be deemed to be a contribution by the business entity. When a business entity is other than a natural person, a contribution by any person or other business entity having an interest therein shall be deemed to be a contribution by the business entity. When a business entity is other than a natural person, a contribution by: all principals, partners, officers, or directors of the business entity, or their spouses; any subsidiaries directly or indirectly controlled by the business entity; or any political organization organized under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code that is directly or indirectly controlled by the business entity, other than a candidate committee, election fund, or political party committee, shall be deemed to be a contribution by the business entity.
As used in this section:
"business entity" means a for-profit entity that is a natural or legal person, business corporation, professional services corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, business trust, association or any other legal commercial entity organized under the laws of this State or of any other state or foreign jurisdiction; and
"interest" means the ownership or control of more than 10% of the profits or assets of a business entity or 10% of the stock in the case of a business entity that is a corporation for profit, as appropriate.] Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).
e. Any business entity that fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine imposed by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission in an amount to be determined by the commission which may be based upon the amount that the business entity failed to report.
(cf: P.L.2007, c.304, s.2)
14. Section 22 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-22) is amended to read as follows:
22. a. (1) Except as provided in subsection e. or f., any person, including any candidate, treasurer, candidate committee or joint candidates committee, political committee, continuing political committee, political party committee or legislative leadership committee, charged with the responsibility under the terms of this act for the preparation, certification, filing or retention of any reports, records, notices or other documents, who fails, neglects or omits to prepare, certify, file or retain any such report, record, notice or document at the time or during the time period, as the case may be, and in the manner prescribed by law, or who omits or incorrectly states or certifies any of the information required by law to be included in such report, record, notice or document, any person who proposes to undertake or undertakes a public solicitation, testimonial affair or other activity relating to contributions or expenditures in any way regulated by the provisions of this act who fails to comply with those regulatory provisions, and any other person who in any way violates any of the provisions of this act shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, be liable to a penalty of not more than $6,000 for the first offense and not more than $12,000 for the second and each subsequent offense.
(2) No person shall willfully and intentionally agree with another person to make a contribution to a candidate, candidate committee, joint candidates committee, political committee, continuing political committee, political party committee, or legislative leadership committee with the intent, or upon the condition, understanding or belief, that the recipient candidate or committee shall make or have made a contribution to another such candidate or committee, but this paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit a county or municipal committee of a political party from making a contribution or contributions to any candidate, candidate committee, joint candidates committee, political committee, continuing political committee, political party committee, or legislative leadership committee. A finding of a violation of this paragraph shall be made only upon clear and convincing evidence. A person who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be liable to a penalty equal to four times the amount of the contribution which that person agreed to make to the recipient candidate or committee.
(3) An individual who knowingly and willfully fails to comply the requirements of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $500 per day for each day that the individual fails to comply with the requirements of that section.
b. Upon receiving evidence of any violation of this section, the Election Law Enforcement Commission shall have power to hold, or to cause to be held under the provisions of subsection d. of this section, hearings upon such violation and, upon finding any person to have committed such a violation, to assess such penalty, within the limits prescribed in subsection a. of this section, as it deems proper under the circumstances, which penalty shall be paid forthwith into the State Treasury for the general purposes of the State.
c. In assessing any penalty under this section, the Election Law Enforcement Commission may provide for the remission of all or any part of such penalty conditioned upon the prompt correction of any failure, neglect, error or omission constituting the violation for which said penalty was assessed.
d. The commission may designate a hearing officer to hear complaints of violations of this act. Such hearing officer shall take testimony, compile a record and make factual findings, and shall submit the same to the commission, which shall have power to assess penalties within the limits and under the conditions prescribed in subsections b. and c. of this section. The commission shall review the record and findings of the hearing officer, but it may also seek such additional testimony as it deems necessary. The commission's determination shall be by majority vote of the entire authorized membership thereof.
e. Any person who willfully and intentionally makes or accepts any contribution in violation of section 4 of P.L.1974, c.26 (C.19:44A-29) or section 18, 19 or 20 of P.L.1993, c.65 (C.19:44A-11.3, C.19:44A-11.4 or C.19:44A-11.5), shall be liable to a penalty of:
(1) Not more than $10,000 if the cumulative total amount of those contributions is less than or equal to $5,000.00;
(2) Not more than $150,000 if the cumulative total amount of those contributions was more than $5,000.00 but less than $75,000; and
(3) Not more than $200,000 if the cumulative total amount of those contributions is equal to or more than $75,000.00.
f. In addition to any penalty imposed pursuant to subsection e. of this section, a person holding any elective public office shall forfeit that public office if the Election Law Enforcement Commission determines that the cumulative total amount of the illegal contributions was more than $50,000.00 and that the violation had a significant impact on the outcome of the election.
g. Any penalty prescribed in this section shall be enforced in a summary proceeding under the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).
(cf: P.L.2004, c.32, s.1)
15. The following sections are repealed:
Sections 2 through 12 of P.L.2004, c.19 (C.19:44A-20.3 to 20.12);
Section 2 of P.L.2004, c.174 (C.19:44A-7.3);
P.L.2005, c.51 (C.19:44A-20.13 to 20.25); and
Sections 1 and 2 of P.L.2005, c.271 (C.40A:11-51 and 19:44A-20.26).
16. This act shall take effect on January 1 following the day of enactment.
STATEMENT
The purpose of this bill is to establish lower uniform contribution limits on, together with greater disclosure of, all campaign contributions received by candidates and committees. The bill also repeals the current laws that regulate campaign contributions by business entities performing public contracts.
Specifically, the bill:
a. establishes $2,500 per election as the amount of money or other thing of value that can be contributed to a candidate or a political committee by an individual, corporation, union, association, business entity, other group, or another committee;
b. establishes $5,000 per year as the amount of money or other thing of value that can be contributed to any committee by an individual, corporation, union, association, business entity, other group or another committee;
c. requires every candidate seeking nomination for election and election to public office, other than a candidate seeking the office of Governor, and every elected public office holder, to establish and maintain a site on the Internet, using computer software supplied and maintained by the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), listing all of the campaign contributions received and campaign expenditures made by the candidate or officer holder and requires that the site be updated by the candidate or office holder at least once during every 24-hour period to disclose every contribution received and expenditure made during the preceding 24 hours;
d. requires a candidate or elected office holder to create a mailing list of individuals and organizations interested in receiving notice of the contributions received and expenditures made by the candidate or public office holder, with such information sent to the mailing list at the same time the information is posted on the website;
e. requires a candidate or elected public office holder to provide to the municipal clerk of each municipality the candidate seeks to represent or the public office holder represents, in whole or in part, no later than the 15th day of each month a printout for public inspection and duplication of all contributions received and expenditures made by the candidate or office holder as listed on the candidate's website;
f. requires all individuals serving in public office to publish in newspapers in general circulation in the political jurisdiction of the elected official on January 1 and June 1 of each year, or as soon thereafter as possible, the list of contributions received and expenditures made by the individual as posted on his or her website;
g. establishes $2,500 per election as the amount of money or other thing of value that a legislative leadership committee or a State, county, or municipal political party committee can pay or make to any candidate committee or joint candidates committee and establishes $5,000 per year as the amount of money or other thing of value that a political committee, continuing political committee, political party committee, or legislative leadership committee can pay or make to any other political committee, continuing political committee, political party committee or legislative leadership committee;
h. repeals the section of P.L.2004, c.174 that requires ELEC to recommend the quadrennial adjustment of the maximum amount of contributions permitted to be made by individuals, organizations and committees to candidates, party committees, legislative leadership committees and other political committees and provides instead that such amounts will be adjusted automatically by the Election Law Enforcement Commission every four years;
i. requires that on any Internet site developed and maintained by the commission, the public can conduct searches that include searches indexed by contributor and the employer of each contributor;
j. repeals the current laws that govern the practice known popularly as "pay to play" and provides instead that business entities must comply with campaign contribution limits in the same manner as individuals, corporations, labor organizations and other groups. As used in the bill "business entity" means a natural or legal person, business corporation, professional services corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, business trust, association or any other legal commercial entity organized under the laws of this State or any other state or foreign jurisdiction that has entered into a contract with a State agency in the Executive Branch, a State agency in the Legislative Branch, a county or an instrumentality thereof, or a municipality or an instrumentality thereof, with an anticipated value in excess of $17,500. The bill provides that when a business entity is a natural person, a contribution by that person's spouse or child, residing therewith, is deemed to be a contribution by the business entity. When the business entity is other than a natural person, a contribution by a person or other business entity having ownership or control of 10 percent of the profits, assets or stock of the entity is deemed a contribution by a business entity.
