Connecticut2026Passed Legislature
HB05352
Changes to Election Complaint Timelines and Straw Contribution Rules
Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 6:19 AM
In one sentence
This law changes how long election complaints can take before they must be dismissed, except for voting-related cases which no longer have a one-year limit.
What it does
- Removes the rule that forces dismissal of most complaints after one year if not finished, but keeps this deadline for non-voting related cases.
- Exempts complaints about violations in Chapter 151 (voting rules) from the mandatory one-year dismissal requirement starting October 1, 2026.
- Requires staff to finish a preliminary look at written complaints within fourteen days and decide whether to dismiss them or start an investigation.
- Mandates that if probable cause is found after ninety days without a final decision, the case must be sent to the Chief State's Attorney for enforcement.
- Allows the commission to treat money as coming from someone other than the name on the card if evidence shows it was likely given by another person.
Who it affects
- The State Elections Enforcement Commission
- People who file complaints about election law violations
- Respondents named in election complaint investigations
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not state the specific effective date for these changes in the provided text.
- It is unclear how much external evidence is needed to prove a contribution came from someone other than the name on the card.
- The bill does not explain what happens if the Chief State's Attorney decides not to take enforcement action after receiving a referral.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Straw contribution
- Money given to a campaign by one person but actually coming from someone else.
- Chapter 151
- The section of state law that covers voting rules and election procedures.
- Probable cause
- Enough evidence to believe a violation likely happened, requiring further action or enforcement.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
To exempt from the one-year requirement for completion of commission investigations such investigations of voting-related complaints under chapter 151 and grants the commission the ability to not qualify straw contributions if the certification card, together with external evidence make it likely that the source of the money is different from the name on the certification card.
Official activity
Bill history
- Signed by the Governor
- Transmitted to the Secretary of State
- Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
- Public Act 26-133LCO
- Senate Passed
- On Consent Calendar / In Concurrence
- Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
- Senate Calendar Number 531
- House Passed
- Immediate Transmittal to the Senate
- Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' OfficeLCO
- Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
- House Calendar Number 243
- File Number 324LCO
- Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/31/26 5:00 PMLCO
- Joint Favorable SubstituteGOS
- Filed with Legislative Commissioners' OfficeLCO
- Public Hearing 03/03
- Referred to Joint Committee on Government Oversight