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HB05545 • 2026

AN ACT MAKING A TECHNICAL CHANGE CONCERNING A CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMIT.

AN ACT MAKING A TECHNICAL CHANGE CONCERNING A CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMIT.

Elections
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
File Number 524
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill is labeled as passed by the legislature but does not show final executive action (governor's signature) in the provided text.

Technical Change to Campaign Contribution Payment Rules

This bill makes a technical change to the law requiring individuals who give more than $100 in cash or money to political candidates or committees to pay by personal check or credit card.

What This Bill Does

  • Replaces an existing rule with new language stating that no individual can make a contribution over one hundred dollars, unless it is not money (a contribution in kind), without using a personal check or credit card from that person.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Individuals who give more than $100 to political candidates or committees.
  • Political candidates and their campaign committees receiving contributions over $100.

Terms To Know

Contribution in kind
A gift of goods, services, or property instead of cash.
Technical change
A small fix to correct a mistake or unclear wording without changing the main purpose of the law.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official text does not list specific penalties for breaking this rule.
  • The bill only changes Section 9-611(d) and does not explain other parts of campaign finance laws.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 LCO

    Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office

  2. 2026-04-08 Connecticut General Assembly

    Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House

  3. 2026-04-08 Connecticut General Assembly

    House Calendar Number 344

  4. 2026-04-08 LCO

    File Number 524

  5. 2026-04-01 LCO

    Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/07/26 5:00 PM

  6. 2026-03-23 GAE

    Joint Favorable

  7. 2026-03-23 LCO

    Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office

  8. 2026-03-13 Connecticut General Assembly

    Public Hearing 03/18

  9. 2026-03-12 Connecticut General Assembly

    Referred to Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections

Official Summary Text

To make a technical change to a statute concerning a campaign contribution limit.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
House of Representatives
HB5545 / File No. 524 1

General Assembly File No. 524
February Session, 2026 House Bill No. 5545

House of Representatives, April 8, 2026

The Committee on Government Administration and Elections
reported through REP. BLUMENTHAL of the 147th Dist.,
Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the
bill ought to pass.

AN ACT MAKING A TECHNICAL CHANGE CONCERNING A
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMIT.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subsection (d) of section 9 -611 of the general statutes is 1
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 2
1, 2026): 3
(d) No individual shall make a contribution to any candidate or 4
committee, other than a contribution in kind, in excess of one hundred 5
dollars except by personal check or credit card of [that] such individual. 6
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 October 1, 2026 9-611(d)

GAE Joint Favorable

HB5545 File No. 524

HB5545 / File No. 524 2

The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of
the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not
represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general,
fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional
knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final
products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact: None
Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The bill makes a technical change to campaign contribution limits ,
resulting in no fiscal impact to the state or municipalities.
The Out Years
State Impact: None
Municipal Impact: None

HB5545 File No. 524

HB5545 / File No. 524 3

OLR Bill Analysis
HB 5545

AN ACT MAKING A TECHNICAL CHANGE CONCERNING A
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMIT.

SUMMARY
This bill makes a technical change to a campaign finance statute.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2026
COMMITTEE ACTION
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 13 Nay 5 (03/20/2026)