AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES REPORTING (Amends various sections of law relating to campaign contributions and expenditures, including prohibitions on self-dealing with committee funds and prohibits donations made in fictitious names.)

S2720

2026 -- S 2720
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LC004361
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND
EXPENDITURES REPORTING

Introduced By:
Senators DiMario, Zurier, Euer, Gu, Lauria, Valverde, Murray,
Bissaillon, McKenney, and Britto

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Sections 17-25-3, 17-25-7, 17-25-10, 17-25-10.1, 17-25-11 and 17-25-12 of
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the General Laws in Chapter 17-25 entitled "Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and
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Expenditures Reporting" are hereby amended to read as follows:
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17-25-3. Definitions.
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As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
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(1) “Accounts payable” means credit extended to a candidate
or political
, candidate
7
committee, political action committee or political party
committee, for campaign expenditures;
8
provided that, the credit extended is in the ordinary course of the vendor’s business, and the terms
9
are substantially similar, in risk and amount, to extensions of credit to nonpolitical customers.
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(2) “Business entity” means any corporation, whether for profit or not for profit, domestic
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corporation or foreign corporation, as defined in § 7-1.2-106, financial institution, cooperative,
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association, receivership, trust, holding company, firm, joint stock company, public utility, sole
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proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, or any other entity recognized by the laws of the
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United States and/or the state of Rhode Island for the purpose of doing business. The term “business
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entity” shall not include a political action committee organized pursuant to this chapter or a political
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party committee or an authorized campaign committee of a candidate or office holder. The term
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“business entity” shall not include any exempt nonprofit as defined herein or any organization
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described in § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding

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internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, for the purposes of
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chapter 25.3 of this title.
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(3) “Candidate” means any individual who undertakes any action, whether preliminary or
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final, which is necessary under the law to qualify for nomination for election or election to public
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office, and/or any individual who receives a contribution or makes an expenditure, or gives their
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consent for any other person to receive a contribution or make an expenditure, with a view to
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bringing about their nomination or election to any public office, whether or not the specific public
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office for which they will seek nomination or election is known at the time the contribution is
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received or the expenditure is made and whether or not they have announced their candidacy or
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filed a declaration of candidacy at that time.
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(4) “Conduit” or “intermediary” means any person who receives and forwards an
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earmarked contribution to a candidate or a candidate’s authorized committee, except as otherwise
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limited in this chapter.
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(5) “Contributions” and “expenditures” include all transfers of money, credit or debit card
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transactions, on-line or electronic payment systems such as “pay pal,” paid personal services, or
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other thing of value to or by any candidate, committee of a political party, or political action
17
committee or ballot question advocate. A loan shall be considered a contribution of money until it
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is repaid.
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(6) “Covered transfer” means any transfer or payment of funds by any person, business
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entity, or political action committee to another person, business entity, or political action committee
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if the person, business entity, or political action committee making the transfer: (i) Designates,
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requests, or suggests that the amounts be used for independent expenditures or electioneering
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communications or making a transfer to another person for the purpose of making or paying for
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such independent expenditures or electioneering communications; (ii) Made such transfer or
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payment in response to a solicitation or other request for a transfer or payment for the making of
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or paying for independent expenditures or electioneering communications or making a transfer to
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another person for the purpose of making or paying for such independent expenditures or
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electioneering communications; (iii) Engaged in discussions with the recipient of the transfer or
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payment regarding independent expenditures or electioneering communications or making a
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transfer to another person for the purpose of making or paying for such independent expenditures
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or electioneering communications; or (iv) Made independent expenditures or electioneering
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communications in an aggregate amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more during the two-
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year (2) period ending on the date of the transfer or payment, or knew or had reason to know that
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the person receiving the transfer or payment made such independent expenditures or electioneering

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communications in such an aggregate amount during that two-year (2) period.
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(A) Exceptions: The term “covered transfer” does not include:
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(I) A transfer or payment made by a person, business entity, or political action committee
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in the ordinary course of any trade or business conducted by the person, business entity, or political
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action committee or in the form of investments made by the person, business entity, or political
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action committee; or
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(II) A transfer or payment made by a person, business entity, or political action committee
8
if the person, business entity, or political action committee making the transfer prohibited, in
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writing, the use of such transfer or payment for independent expenditures, electioneering
10
communications, or covered transfers and the recipient of the transfer or payment agreed to follow
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the prohibition and deposited the transfer or payment in an account that is segregated from any
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account used to make independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered
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transfers.
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(7) For the purposes of chapter 25.3 of this title, “donation” means all transfers of money,
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credit or debit card transactions, on-line or electronic payment systems such as “pay pal,” paid
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personal services, or other thing of value to or by any person, business entity, or political action
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committee. A loan shall be considered a donation of money until it is repaid.
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(8) For the purposes of chapter 25.3 of this title, “donor” means a person, business entity,
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or political action committee that makes a donation.
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(9) “Earmarked” means a designation, instruction, or encumbrance, whether direct or
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indirect, express or implied, oral or written, that results in all or any part of a contribution or
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expenditure being made to, or expended on behalf of, a clearly identified candidate or a candidate’s
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authorized committee.
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(10) “Election” means any primary, general, or special election or town meeting for any
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public office of the state, municipality, or district, or for the determination of any question
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submitted to the voters of the state, municipality, or district.
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(11) “Election cycle” means the twenty-four month (24) period commencing on January 1
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of odd number years and ending on December 31 of even number years; provided, with respect to
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the public financing of election campaigns of general officers under §§ 17-25-19, 17-25-20, and
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17-25-25, “election cycle” means the forty-eight month (48) period commencing on January 1 of
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odd numbered years and ending December 31 of even numbered years.
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(12) “Electioneering communication” means any print, broadcast, cable, satellite, or
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electronic media communication not coordinated, as set forth in § 17-25-23, with any candidate,
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authorized candidate campaign committee, or political party committee and that unambiguously

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identifies a candidate or referendum and is made either within sixty (60) days before a general or
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special election or town meeting for the office sought by the candidate or referendum; or thirty (30)
3
days before a primary election, for the office sought by the candidate; and is targeted to the relevant
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electorate.
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(i) A communication that refers to a clearly identified candidate or referendum is “targeted
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to the relevant electorate” if the communication can be received by two thousand (2,000) or more
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persons in the district the candidate seeks to represent or the constituency voting on the referendum.
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(ii) Exceptions: The term “electioneering communication” does not include:
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(A) A communication appearing in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed
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through the facilities of any broadcasting station, unless such facilities are owned or controlled by
11
any political party, political committee, or candidate;
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(B) A communication that constitutes a candidate debate or forum conducted pursuant to
13
regulations adopted by the board of elections or that solely promotes such a debate or forum and is
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made by or on behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum;
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(C) A communication made by any business entity to its members, owners, stockholders,
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or employees;
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(D) A communication over the internet, except for (I) Communications placed for a fee on
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the website of another person, business entity, or political action committee; and (II) Websites
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formed primarily for the purpose, or whose primary purpose is, to expressly advocate the election
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or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the passage or defeat of a referendum; or
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(E) Any other communication exempted under such regulations as the board of elections
22
may promulgate (consistent with the requirements of this paragraph) to ensure the appropriate
23
implementation of this paragraph.
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(13) “Exempt nonprofit” means any organization described in § 501(c)(4) of the Internal
25
Revenue Code that spends an aggregate annual amount of no more than ten percent (10%) of its
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annual expenses or no more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), whichever is less, on
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independent expenditures, electioneering communications, and covered transfers as defined herein
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and certifies the same to the board of elections seven (7) days before and after a primary election
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and seven (7) days before and after a general or special election.
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(14) “Fair market value” means the usual and normal charge for goods and services as
31
determined by the marketplace from which they ordinarily would have been purchased at a usual
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and normal charge in an arms length transaction.
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(i) For purposes of this subsection, “usual and normal charge for goods” means the price
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of those goods in the market from which they ordinarily would have been purchased at the time of

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the contribution. “Usual and normal charge for services”, other than those provided by an unpaid
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volunteer, means the hourly or piecework charge for the services at a commercially reasonable rate
3
prevailing at the time the services are rendered.
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(15) “Independent expenditure” means an expenditure that, when taken as a whole,
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expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate, or the passage or defeat
6
of a referendum, or amounts to the functional equivalent of such express advocacy, and is in no
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way coordinated, as set forth in § 17-25-23, with any candidate’s campaign, authorized candidate
8
committee, or political party committee. An expenditure amounts to the functional equivalent of
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express advocacy if it can only be interpreted by a reasonable person as advocating the election,
10
passage, or defeat of a candidate or referendum, taking into account whether the communication
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mentions a candidate or referendum and takes a position on a candidate’s character, qualifications,
12
or fitness for office. An independent expenditure is not a contribution to that candidate or
13
committee.
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(i) Exceptions: The term “independent expenditure” does not include:
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(A) A communication appearing in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed
16
through the facilities of any broadcasting station, unless such facilities are owned or controlled by
17
any political party, political committee, or candidate;
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(B) A communication that constitutes a candidate debate or forum conducted pursuant to
19
regulations adopted by the board of elections or that solely promotes such a debate or forum and is
20
made by or on behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum;
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(C) A communication made by any business entity to its members, owners, stockholders,
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or employees;
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(D) A communication over the internet, except for (I) Communications placed for a fee on
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the website of another person, business entity, or political action committee; and (II) Websites
25
formed primarily for the purpose, or whose primary purpose is, to expressly advocate the election
26
or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the passage or defeat of a referendum; or
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(E) Any other communication exempted under such regulations as the board of elections
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may promulgate (consistent with the requirements of this paragraph) to ensure the appropriate
29
implementation of this paragraph.
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(16) “In-kind contributions” means the monetary
fair market
value of other things of value
31
or paid personal services donated to, or benefiting, any person required to file reports with the board
32
of elections
, including the difference between the amount paid by a reporting person and the fair
33
market value or a thing of value or personal service
.
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(17) “Other thing of value” means any item of tangible real or personal property of a fair-

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market value in excess of one hundred dollars ($100).
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(18) “Paid personal services” means personal services of every kind and nature, the cost or
3
consideration for which is paid or provided by someone other than the committee or candidate for
4
whom the services are rendered, but shall not include personal services provided without
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compensation by
persons

individuals
volunteering their time.
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(19) “Person” means an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation,
7
union, charity, and/or any other organization. The term “person” shall not include any exempt
8
nonprofit as defined herein or any organization described in § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
9
Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as
10
amended from time to time, for the purposes of chapter 25.3 of this title only.
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(20) “Political action committee” means any group of two (2) or more persons that accepts
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any contributions to be used for advocating the election or defeat of any candidate or candidates.
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Only political action committees that have accepted contributions from fifteen (15) or more persons
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in amounts of ten dollars ($10.00) or more within an election cycle shall be permitted to make
15
contributions, and those committees must make contributions to at least five (5) candidates for state
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or local office within an election cycle.
Political action committees established, financed,
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maintained or controlled by the same person or the same group of persons are affiliated.
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(21) “Public office” means any state, municipal, school, or district office or other position
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that is filled by popular election, except political party offices. “Political party offices” means any
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state, city, town, ward, or representative or senatorial district committee office of a political party
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or delegate to a political party convention, or any similar office.
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(22) For purposes of chapter 25.3 of this title, “referendum” means the same as the
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definition set forth in § 17-5-1.
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(23) “State” means state of Rhode Island.
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(24) “Testimonial affair” means an affair of any kind or nature including, but not limited
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to, cocktail parties, breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, dances, picnics, or similar affairs expressly and
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directly intended to raise campaign funds in behalf of a candidate to be used for nomination or
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election to a public office in this state, or expressly and directly intended to raise funds in behalf of
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any state or municipal committee of a political party, or expressly and directly intended to raise
30
funds in behalf of any political action committee.
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17-25-7. Contents of reports to be filed by treasurers of candidates and committees.
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(a) Each campaign treasurer of a candidate, each state and municipal committee of a
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political party, and each political action committee shall keep accurate records and make a full
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report, upon a form prescribed by the board of elections, of all contributions received, and

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expenditures made, by it in excess of a total of two hundred dollars ($200), from any one source
2
within a calendar year, in furtherance of the nomination, election, or defeat of any candidate or the
3
approval or rejection of any question submitted to the voters, or at any financial town meeting,
4
financial town referendum, or other election at which amendments to a city or town charter are
5
proposed, during the period from the date of the last report, or in the case of the initial report,
6
beginning on the date of the appointment of the campaign treasurer for state and municipal
7
committees and political action committees and on the date a person becomes a “candidate” as
8
defined in § 17-25-3 for individual candidates. The report shall contain the name, address, and
9
place of employment of each person or source from whom the contributions and expenditures in
10
excess of two hundred dollars ($200), were received or made and the amount contributed or
11
expended by each person or source.
If such an expenditure constitutes a significant disbursement
12
to a controlling person within the meaning of § 17-25-7.7, the campaign treasurer shall submit a
13
separate notice of the significant disbursement to the state board of elections on a form prescribed
14
by the board affirmatively demonstrating that the requirements of § 17-25-7.7(c) were satisfied.

15
The report shall be filed with the board of elections on the dates designated in § 17-25-11. The
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campaign treasurer of the candidate or committee reporting shall certify to the correctness of each
17
report. Notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this title, this subsection shall apply to
18
any person or entity advocating the approval or rejection of any question presented to voters at any
19
financial town meeting, financial town referendum, or other election at which amendments to a city
20
or town charter are proposed, which shall file reports of contributions or expenditures in accordance
21
with the filing schedule established by § 17-25-11 if the total of the money so expended exceeds
22
two hundred dollars ($200), in a calendar year. As used in this subsection, the word “entity” means
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any political action committee, political party committee, authorized campaign committee of a
24
candidate or officer holder, corporation, whether for profit, not-for-profit, or exempt nonprofit
25
pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, domestic corporation or foreign
26
corporation, as defined in § 7-1.2-106, financial institution, cooperative, association, receivership,
27
partnership, committee, union, charity, trust, holding company, firm, joint stock company, public
28
utility, sole proprietorship, limited partnership, or any other entity recognized by the laws of the
29
United States and/or the state of Rhode Island.
30
(b) Each state and municipal committee of a political party shall also file with the board of
31
elections, not later than March 1 of each year, an annual report setting forth in the aggregate all
32
contributions received and all expenditures made during the previous calendar year, whether or not
33
these expenditures were made, incurred, or authorized in furtherance of the election or defeat of
34
any candidate. The treasurer of the committee or organization reporting shall certify to the

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correctness of each report.
2

(c)(1) Any report filed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall include expenditures
3
or disbursements paid on behalf of or for the benefit of the reporting person by an agent or
4
independent contractor, including a vendor.
5

(2) An agent or contractor, including a vendor, who makes an expenditure or disbursement
6
on behalf of or for the benefit of a committee or person that is required to be reported under this
7
section shall promptly make known to the reporting committee or person all the information
8
required for reporting the expenditure or disbursement.
9

(3) If the electronic campaign finance reporting system is technologically capable of
10
displaying or otherwise providing information required by subsection (c) of this section to the
11
public, the state board of elections shall provide online public access to such information through
12
the system. If the electronic campaign finance reporting system is not technologically capable of
13
providing such information to the public, the board shall create an interim procedure for the public
14
to obtain the information reported under subsection (c) of this section.
15

(c)
(d)
Any report filed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall include contributions
16
received from any “testimonial affair,” as defined in § 17-25-3, held since the date of the most
17
recent report filed.
18

17-25-10. Lawful methods of contributing to support of candidates — Reporting —
19
Disposition of anonymous contributions.
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(a) No contribution shall be made or received, and no expenditures shall be directly made
21
or incurred, to support or defeat a candidate except through:
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(1) The candidate or duly appointed campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer of
23
the candidate;
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(2) The duly appointed campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer of a political party
25
committee;
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(3) The duly appointed campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer of a political
27
action committee.
28

(b) Any settlement of accounts payable between a creditor and a candidate, candidate
29
committee, political action committee, or political party committee, for less than the full amount
30
owed shall comply with the applicable contribution limitations under this chapter. The state board
31
of elections may determine that a settlement of accounts payable for less than the full amount owed
32
falls within the creditor's normal business practices and therefore, does not constitute a
33
contribution, subject to the applicable contribution limitations under this chapter.
34

(1) Any accounts payable by a candidate, candidate committee, political action committee

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or political party committee shall be considered a contribution received in-kind if the accounts
2
payable remains outstanding, in full or in part, for a period of time that exceeds that which the
3
entity to whom payment is owed permits for persons that are not candidates, political action
4
committees or political party committees.
5

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1) of this section, if any accounts payable by a
6
candidate, candidate committee, political action committee or political party committee remain
7
outstanding for one hundred twenty (120) days, the candidate, political action committee, or
8
political party shall submit a notice to the state board of elections within seventy-two (72) hours on
9
a form prescribed by the board, detailing the amount and purpose of such accounts payable and the
10
arrangements made for discharge of the unpaid amount. Any accounts payable by a candidate
11
political action committee or political party committee shall be considered a contribution received
12
in-kind, if the account remains unpaid, in full or in part, for more than one hundred eighty (180)
13
days.
14

(3) Any accounts payable by a candidate, candidate committee, political action committee
15
or political party committee that is considered a contribution received in-kind pursuant to
16
subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section is subject to contribution limitations under § 17-25-
17
10.1 and the penalties provided in § 17-25-13 for any resulting violation of that provision.
18

(b)
(c)
It shall be lawful for any person, not otherwise prohibited by law and not acting in
19
concert with any other person or group, to expend personally from that person’s own funds a sum
20
that is not to be repaid to him or her for any purpose not prohibited by law to support or defeat a
21
candidate; provided, that any person making the expenditure shall be required to report all of his or
22
her expenditures and expenses, if the total of the money so expended exceeds one hundred dollars
23
($100) within a calendar year, to the board of elections within seven (7) days of making the
24
expenditure and to the campaign treasurer of the candidate or political party committee on whose
25
behalf the expenditure or contribution was made, or to his or her deputy, within seven (7) days of
26
making the expenditure. The treasurer or his or her deputy shall cause the expenditures and
27
expenses to be included in his or her reports to the board of elections. Whether a person is “acting
28
in concert with any other person or group” for the purposes of this subsection shall be determined
29
by application of the standards set forth in § 17-25-23.
30

(c)
(d)
Any anonymous contribution received by a candidate, campaign treasurer, or deputy
31
campaign treasurer shall not be used or expended, but shall be returned to the donor, if the donor’s
32
identity can be ascertained; if not, the contribution shall escheat to the state.
33

17-25-10.1. Political contributions — Limitations.
34
(a)(1) No person, other than the candidate to his or her own campaign, nor any political

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action committee shall make a contribution or contributions to any candidate, as defined by § 17-
2
25-3, or political action committee or political party committee that, in the aggregate, exceed two
3
thousand dollars ($2,000) within a calendar year; nor shall any political action committee make
4
such contributions that in the aggregate, exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) within a
5
calendar year; nor shall any candidate or any political action committee or any political party
6
committee accept a contribution or contributions that, in the aggregate, exceed two thousand dollars
7
($2,000) within a calendar year from any one person or political action committee.
8
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(1) of this section, a person or political
9
action committee or political party committee may contribute an amount that in the aggregate, does
10
not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) within a calendar year to a political party committee,
11
which funds can be utilized for organizational and party building activities, but shall not be used
12
for contributions to candidates state and local for public office.
13
(b) Contributions to a named candidate made to any political committee authorized by that
14
candidate to accept contributions on the candidate’s behalf shall be considered to be contributions
15
made to the candidate. Contributions to a candidate by a political committee for another person
16
shall be considered to be contributions by that person.
17
(c) Expenditures made by any person in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at
18
the request or suggestion of, a candidate, the candidate’s authorized political committees, or their
19
agents shall be considered to be a contribution to the candidate.
20
(d) The financing by any person of the dissemination, distribution, or republication, in
21
whole or in part, of any broadcast or any written, graphic, or other form of campaign materials
22
prepared by the candidate, the candidate’s campaign committees, or their authorized agents shall
23
be considered to be a contribution to a candidate.
24
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict political party committees
25
organized pursuant to this title from making contributions to the candidates of that political party;
26
provided, that these contributions, other than allowable “in-kind” contributions, shall not exceed,
27
in the aggregate, twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to any one candidate within a calendar
28
year; nor shall any candidate accept a contribution or contributions, other than allowable “in-kind”
29
contributions, that, in the aggregate, exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) within a
30
calendar year from all committees of his or her political party. There shall be no restriction on the
31
amount of “in-kind” contributions that a political party committee may make to a candidate of its
32
political party; provided, that for the purposes of this subsection only, the cost of any preparation
33
and airing of television and/or radio advertisements and the cost of any print advertisements shall
34
not be considered an allowable “in-kind” contribution and shall be subject to the aggregate

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limitation of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
2
(f)(1) A contribution from an individual’s dependent children, as defined in § 36-14-2, shall
3
be deemed a contribution from the individual for the purpose of determining whether aggregate
4
contributions exceed either the two hundred dollar ($200) threshold for reporting purposes or the
5
two thousand dollar ($2,000) maximum for contributions to a single candidate or political action
6
committee within a calendar year.
7
(2) No dependent child shall contribute an amount that, when added to contributions
8
already made by that child’s parent or legal guardian and by other dependent children of that parent
9
or legal guardian, exceed the two thousand dollar ($2,000) maximum for contributions to a single
10
candidate or political action committee within a calendar year.
11
(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the amount of money that a
12
candidate can borrow in his or her own name, and subsequently contribute or loan to his or her own
13
campaign.
14
(h)(1) It shall be unlawful for any corporation, whether profit or non-profit, domestic
15
corporation or foreign corporation, as defined in § 7-1.2-106, or other business entity to make any
16
campaign contribution or expenditure, as defined in § 17-25-3, to or for any candidate, political
17
action committee, or political party committee, or for any candidate, political action committee, or
18
political party committee to accept any campaign contribution or expenditure from a corporation
19
or other business entity. Any contribution made in the personal name of any employee of a
20
corporation or other business entity, for which the employee received or will receive reimbursement
21
from the corporation or other business entity, shall be considered as a contribution by the
22
corporation or other business entity, in violation of this section.
23
(2) Any voluntary payroll deduction and/or contribution made by employees of a
24
corporation or other business entity shall not be deemed a contribution of a corporation or other
25
business entity, notwithstanding that the contributions were sent to the recipient by the corporation
26
or other business entity.
27
(i) All contributions of funds shall be by check, money order, or credit card and may be
28
made over the internet, but in each case the source of the funds must be identified; provided, that
29
candidates, political action committees, and political party committees may accept contributions in
30
cash that do not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) in the aggregate from an individual within a
31
calendar year. The cash contribution must be delivered directly by the donor to the candidate, the
32
campaign treasurer, or deputy treasurer. The treasurer or deputy treasurer shall maintain a record
33
of the name and address of all persons making these cash contributions.
34
(j) Except as provided in subsection (h) of this section, no entity other than an individual,

LC004361 - Page 11 of 22
1
a political action committee which is duly registered and qualified pursuant to the terms of this
2
chapter, political party committee authorized by this title, or an authorized committee of an elected
3
official or candidate established pursuant to this chapter shall make any contribution to or any
4
expenditure on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate, political action committee, or political
5
party.
6
(k) For purposes of the limitations imposed by this section, all contributions made by a
7
person, either directly or indirectly, on behalf of a particular candidate, including contributions that
8
are in any way earmarked or otherwise directed through an intermediary or conduit to such
9
candidate, shall be treated as contributions from such person to such candidate. The intermediary
10
or conduit shall report the original source and the intended recipient of such contribution to the
11
board of elections and to the intended recipient, in accordance with regulations and reporting
12
requirements promulgated by the board of elections.
13

(l) For purposes of the limitations on contributions provided by this chapter, all
14
contributions made by political committees established, financed, maintained, or controlled by the
15
same person or the same group of persons shall be considered to have been made by a single
16
political committee.
17

17-25-11. Dates for filing of reports by treasurers of candidates or of committees.
18
(a) During the period between the appointment of the campaign treasurer for state and
19
municipal committees and political action committees, or in the case of an individual the date on
20
which the individual becomes a “declared or undeclared candidate” as defined in § 17-25-3(3),
21
except when the ninety-day (90) reporting period ends less than forty (40) days prior to an election
22
in which case the ninety-day (90) report shall be included as part of the report required to be filed
23
on the twenty-eighth (28th) day next preceding the day of the primary, general, or special election
24
pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section, and the election, with respect to which contributions
25
are received
, accounts payable,
or expenditures made by him or her in behalf of, or in opposition
26
to, a candidate, the campaign treasurer of a candidate, a political party committee, or a political
27
action committee shall file a report containing an account of contributions received, and
28
expenditures made, on behalf of, or in opposition to, a candidate:
29
(1) At ninety-day (90) intervals commencing on the date on which the individual first
30
becomes a candidate, as defined in § 17-25-3(3);
31
(2) In a contested election, on the twenty-eighth (28th) and seventh (7th) days next
32
preceding the day of the primary, general, or special election; provided, that in the case of a primary
33
election for a special election where the twenty-eighth (28th) day next preceding the day of the
34
primary election occurs prior to the first day for filing declarations of candidacy pursuant to § 17-

LC004361 - Page 12 of 22
1
14-1, the reports shall be due on the fourteenth (14th) and seventh (7th) days next preceding the
2
day of the primary election for the special election; and
3
(3) A final report on the twenty-eighth (28th) day following the election. The report shall
4
contain:
5
(i) The name and address and place of employment of each person from whom
6
contributions in excess of a total of two hundred dollars ($200), within a calendar year were
7
received;
8
(ii) The amount contributed by each person;
9
(iii) The name and address of each person to whom expenditures in excess of two hundred
10
dollars ($200), were made;
and
11
(iv) The amount and purpose of each expenditure
; and
12

(v) For any accounts payable outstanding at the time of the final report, the amount and
13
purpose of such accounts payable
.
14
(b) Concurrent with the report filed on the twenty-eighth (28th) day following an election,
15
or at any time thereafter, the campaign treasurer of a candidate, or political party committee, or
16
political action committee, may certify to the board of elections that the campaign fund of the
17
candidate, political party committee, or political action committee having been instituted for the
18
purposes of the past election, has completed its business and been dissolved or, in the event that
19
the committee will continue its activities beyond the election, that its business regarding the past
20
election has been completed. The certification shall be accompanied by a final accounting of the
21
campaign fund, or of the transactions relating to the election, including the final disposition of any
22
balance remaining in the fund at the time of dissolution or the arrangements that have been made
23
for the discharge of any obligations remaining unpaid at the time of dissolution.
Any committee
24
that reports accounts payable cannot be dissolved until such accounts are fully paid.
25
(c)(1) Once the campaign treasurer certifies that the campaign fund has completed its
26
business and been dissolved, no contribution that is intended to defray expenditures incurred on
27
behalf of, or in opposition to, a candidate during the campaign can be accepted. Until the time that
28
the campaign treasurer certifies that the campaign fund has completed its business and been
29
dissolved, the treasurer shall file reports containing an account of contributions received and
30
expenditures made at ninety-day (90) intervals commencing with the next quarterly report
31
following the election; however, the time to file under this subsection shall be no later than the last
32
day of the month following the ninety-day (90) period, except when the last day of the month filing
33
deadline following the ninety-day (90) reporting period occurs less than twenty-eight (28) days
34
before an election, in which case the report shall be filed pursuant to the provisions of subsections

LC004361 - Page 13 of 22
1
(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section. Provided, however, if the last day of the month falls on a weekend
2
or a holiday, the report shall be due on the following business day.
3
(2) In addition to the reports required pursuant to this section, a candidate or office holder
4
shall also file with the board of elections a paper copy of the account statement from the office
5
holder’s campaign account, which account statement shall be the next account statement issued by
6
their financial institution after the filing of the fourth quarterly campaign expense report. The
7
account statement shall be submitted to the board within thirty (30) days of its receipt by the
8
candidate, officeholder, treasurer, or deputy treasurer. The account statement shall not be deemed
9
a public record pursuant to the provisions of chapter 2 of title 38. The board of elections, its agents,
10
and employees shall not publish, deliver, copy, or disclose, to any person or entity any account
11
statement or information contained therein for any candidate, former candidate, officeholder, party,
12
or political action committee. Provided, as to state and municipal political parties, the requirements
13
of this subsection (c)(2) shall apply to the annual report required pursuant to § 17-25-7.
14
(d)(1) There shall be no obligation to file the reports of expenditures required by this
15
section on behalf of, or in opposition to, a candidate if the total amount to be expended in behalf of
16
the candidacy by the candidate, by any political party committee, by any political action committee,
17
or by any person shall not in the aggregate exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000).
18
(2) However, even though the aggregate amount expended on behalf of the candidacy does
19
not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000), reports must be made listing the source and amounts of
20
all contributions in excess of a total of two hundred dollars ($200) from any one source, within a
21
calendar year. Even though the aggregate amount expended on behalf of the candidacy does not
22
exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) and no contribution from any one source, within a calendar
23
year two hundred dollars ($200), the report shall state the aggregate amount of all contributions
24
received. In addition, the report shall state the amount of aggregate contributions that were from
25
individuals, the amount from political action committees, and the amount from political party
26
committees.
27
(e) On or before the first date for filing contribution and expenditure reports, the campaign
28
treasurer may file a sworn statement that the treasurer will accept no contributions nor make
29
aggregate expenditures in excess of the minimum amounts for which a report is required by this
30
chapter. Thereafter, the campaign treasurer shall be excused from filing all the reports for that
31
campaign, other than the final report due on the twenty-eighth (28th) day following the election.
32
(f) A campaign treasurer must file a report containing an account of contributions received
33
and expenditures made at the ninety-day (90) intervals provided for in subsection (c) of this section
34
for any ninety-day (90) period in which the campaign received contributions in excess of a total of

LC004361 - Page 14 of 22
1
two hundred dollars ($200), within a calendar year from any one source and/or made expenditures
2
in excess of two thousand dollars ($2,000) within a calendar year; however, the time to file under
3
this subsection shall be no later than the last day of the month following the ninety-day (90) period,
4
except when the last day of the month filing deadline following the ninety-day (90) reporting period
5
occurs less than twenty-eight (28) days before an election, in which case the report shall be filed
6
pursuant to the provisions of subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section. Provided, however, if the
7
last day of the month falls on a weekend or a holiday, the report shall be due on the following
8
business day.
9
(g)(1) The board of elections may, for good cause shown and upon the receipt of a written
10
or electronic request, grant a seven-day (7) extension for filing a report; provided, that the request
11
must be received no later than the date upon which the report is due to be filed.
12
(2) Any person or entity required to file reports with the board of elections pursuant to this
13
section and who or that has not filed the report by the required date, unless granted an extension
14
pursuant to subsection (g)(1) of this section, shall be fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
15
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this section, the board of elections shall have the authority
16
to waive late filing fees for good cause shown.
17
(3) The board of elections shall send a notice of non-compliance, by certified mail, to any
18
person or entity who or that fails to file the reports required by this section. A person or entity who
19
or that is sent a notice of non-compliance and fails to file the required report within seven (7) days
20
of the receipt of the notice, shall be fined two dollars ($2.00) per day from the day of receipt of the
21
notice of non-compliance until the day the report has been received by the state board.
22
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this section, the board of elections shall have the authority
23
to waive late filing fees for good cause shown.
24

17-25-12. Prohibited contributions.
25

(a)
No contributions shall be made, and no expenditure shall be made or incurred,
whether

26
anonymously, in a fictitious name, or by one person or group in the name of another, to support or
27
defeat a candidate in a primary, general, or special election.
No person or group shall knowingly
28
help or assist any other person or group in making a contribution or expenditure contrary to the
29
provisions of this section.
No treasurer or candidate shall solicit or knowingly accept any
30
contribution contrary to the provisions of this section.
31

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 17-25-13:
32

(1) Any person or group who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not less
33
than the amount contributed, and not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) or double the amount
34
contributed, whichever is greater.

LC004361 - Page 15 of 22
1

(2) Any person or group who willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of this section
2
shall upon conviction be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than double the amount
3
contributed and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or triple the amount contributed,
4
whichever is greater.
5

(3) The state board of elections may impose civil fines as described in subsection (b)(1) of
6
this section and order disgorgement of contributions to the general fund.
7
SECTION 2. Section 17-25.3-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-25.3 entitled
8
"Independent Expenditures and Electioneering Communications" is hereby amended to read as
9
follows:
10

17-25.3-1. Independent expenditures and electioneering communications for
11
elections.
12
(a) It shall be lawful for any person, business entity or political action committee, not
13
otherwise prohibited by law and not acting in coordination with a candidate, authorized candidate
14
campaign committee, political action committee, or political party committee, to expend personally
15
from that person’s own funds a sum which is not to be repaid to him or her for any purpose not
16
prohibited by law to support or defeat a candidate or referendum. Whether a person, business entity
17
or political action committee is “acting in coordination with a candidate, authorized candidate
18
campaign committee, political action committee or political party committee” for the purposes of
19
this subsection shall be determined by application of the standards set forth in § 17-25-23. All terms
20
used in this chapter shall have the same meaning as defined in § 17-25-3.
21
(b) Any person, business entity or political action committee making independent
22
expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered transfers shall report all such campaign
23
finance expenditures and expenses to the board of elections, provided the total of the money so
24
expended exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000) within a calendar year, to the board of elections
25
within seven (7) days of making the expenditure.
26
(c) A person, business entity or political action committee who makes or contracts to make
27
independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered transfers with an aggregate
28
value of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more shall electronically file a campaign finance report
29
to the board of elections describing the expenditures.
30
(d) After a person, business entity or political action committee files a report under
31
subsection (b), the person, business entity or political action committee shall file an additional
32
report after each time the person, business entity or political action committee makes or contracts
33
to make independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered transfers
34
aggregating an additional one thousand dollars ($1,000) with respect to the same election as that to

LC004361 - Page 16 of 22
1
which the initial report relates.
2
(e) When a report is required by subsection (c) or (d) of this section within thirty (30) days
3
prior to the election to which the expenditure was directed, it shall be filed within twenty-four (24)
4
hours of the expenditure. When such a report is required at any other time, it shall be filed within
5
seven (7) days after the expenditure.
6
(f) Reports of independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered
7
transfers by a person shall contain the name, street address, city, state, zip code, occupation,
8
employer (if self-employed, the name and place of business), of the person responsible for the
9
expenditure, the name, street address, city, state, and zip code of the person receiving the
10
expenditure the date and amount of each expenditure, and the year to date total.
11

(1) Any report filed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall include expenditures or
12
disbursements paid on behalf of or for the benefit of the reporting person, by an agent or
13
independent contractor including a vendor.
14

(2) An agent or contractor including a vendor, who makes an expenditure or disbursement
15
on behalf of or for the benefit of a committee or person, that is required to be reported under this
16
section, shall promptly make known to the reporting committee or person all the information
17
required for reporting the expenditure or disbursement.
18

(3) If the electronic campaign finance reporting system is technologically capable of
19
displaying or otherwise providing the information required by this subsection to the public, the
20
state board of elections shall provide online public access to such information through the system.
21
If the electronic campaign finance reporting system is not technologically capable of providing
22
such information to the public, the board shall create an interim procedure for the public to obtain
23
the information reported under this subsection.
24
(g) The report shall also include a statement identifying the candidate or referendum that
25
the independent expenditure or electioneering communication is intended to promote the success
26
or defeat, and affirm under penalty of false statement that the expenditure is not coordinated with
27
the campaign in question, and provide any information that the board of elections requires to
28
facilitate compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
29
(h) Reports of independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered
30
transfers by a person, business entity or political action committee shall also disclose the identity
31
of all donors of an aggregate of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to such person, business
32
entity or committee within the current election cycle, if applicable, unless the person, business
33
entity or political action committee has established a separate campaign-related account for
34
independent expenditures, electioneering communications, and covered transfers as detailed in §

LC004361 - Page 17 of 22
1
17-25.3-2 in which case this paragraph applies only to donors to the person’s, business entity’s or
2
political action committee’s separate campaign-related account; provided that no person, business
3
entity, or political action committee shall be required to disclose in a report to the board of elections
4
the identity, which includes name, address, place of employment, and donation amount, of any
5
donor who makes no donation to such person, business entity, or political action committee after
6
the date of enactment of this section.
7
(i) If a person, business entity or political action committee and a donor mutually agree, at
8
the time a donation, payment, or transfer to the person, business entity or political action committee
9
which is required to disclose the identification under subsection (f) that the person, business entity
10
or political action committee will not use the donation, payment, or transfer for independent
11
expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered transfers, then not later than thirty (30)
12
days after the person, business entity or political action committee receives the donation, payment,
13
or transfer the person, business entity or political action committee shall transmit to the donor a
14
written certification by the chief financial officer of the person, business entity or political action
15
committee (or, if the organization does not have a chief financial officer, the highest ranking
16
financial official of the organization) that:
17
(1) The person, business entity or political action committee will not use the donation,
18
payment, or transfer for independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered
19
transfers; and
20
(2) The person, business entity or political action committee will not include any
21
information on the donor in any report filed by the person, business entity or political action
22
committee under this section with respect to independent expenditures, electioneering
23
communications, or covered transfers, so that the donor will not be required to appear in the list of
24
donors.
25
(3) Exception for payments made pursuant to commercial activities. Subsections (e) and
26
(f) do not apply with respect to any payment or transfer made pursuant to commercial activities in
27
the regular course of a person’s, business entity’s or political action committee’s business.
28
(j) For the purposes of this chapter, two (2) or more entities (other than an exempt nonprofit
29
as defined in § 17-25-3 or an organization described in § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
30
of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended
31
from time to time) are treated as a single entity if the entities:
32
(1) Share the majority of members on their boards of directors;
33
(2) Share two (2) or more officers;
34
(3) A candidate committee and a political committee other than a candidate committee are

LC004361 - Page 18 of 22
1
for the purposes of this section treated as a single committee if the committees both have the
2
candidate or a member of the candidate’s immediate family as an officer;
3
(4) Are owned or controlled by the same majority shareholder or shareholders or persons;
4
(5) Are in a parent-subsidiary relationship; or
5
(6) Have bylaws so stating.
6

(k) No donation, payments, or transfers shall be made, and no expenditure shall be made
7
or incurred, anonymously, in a fictitious name, or by one person or group in the name of another,
8
for the making of an independent expenditure or electioneering communication under this section.
9
No person or group shall knowingly permit the use of the person's or group's name to effect any
10
donation, payment, transfer, or expenditure contrary to the provisions of this section. No person or
11
group shall knowingly help or assist any other person or group in making any donation, payment,
12
transfer, or expenditure, contrary to the provisions of this section. No person, business entity, or
13
political action committee shall solicit or knowingly accept any donation, payment, or transfer,
14
contrary to the provisions of this section.
15

(l) Notwithstanding § 17-25.3-4:
16

(1) Any person, business entity, or political action committee who violates the provisions
17
of subsection (k) of this section shall be fined not less than the amount contributed, and not more
18
than two thousand ($2,000) or double the amount contributed, whichever is greater.
19

(2) Any person, business entity, or political action committee who willfully and knowingly
20
violates the provisions of subsection (k) of this section shall upon conviction be guilty of a
21
misdemeanor and fined not less than double the amount contributed and not more than ten thousand
22
dollars ($10,000) or triple the amount contributed, whichever is greater.
23

(3) The state board of elections may impose civil fines, as described in subsection (l)(1) of
24
this section and order disgorgement of donations, payments, or transfers in violation of this section
25
to the general fund.
26
SECTION 3. Chapter 17-25 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Campaign
27
Contributions and Expenditures Reporting" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following
28
section:
29

17-25-7.7. Self-dealing with committee funds prohibited.

30

(a) A contribution or donation received by a committee may be used for any purpose that
31
would otherwise be lawful under this chapter, unless prohibited by subsections (b) or (d) of this
32
section.
33

(b) Self-dealing by any controlling person of contributions or donations received by a
34
committee is prohibited. For the purposes of this section, the use of a contribution or donation shall

LC004361 - Page 19 of 22
1
be presumed to be self-dealing, if the contribution or donation is used to make a significant
2
disbursement to a controlling person.
3

(c) The presumption in subsection (b) of this section may be rebutted upon a showing that:
4

(1) The significant disbursement to the controlling person is a bona fide payment for goods
5
or services, at no greater than fair market value;
6

(2) The significant disbursement was negotiated at arms' length by and approved by an
7
agent of the committee, who was neither the controlling person nor in an employment relationship
8
directly or indirectly subject to the direction or control of the controlling person;
9

(3) The agent who negotiated and approved the significant disbursement obtained and
10
relied upon appropriate data as to fair market value prior to approving the disbursement;
11

(4) The agent documented the basis for the approval determination concurrently with
12
making that determination; and
13

(5) At the time the significant disbursement was made, the aggregate total of itemized
14
contributions to the committee during the election cycle, exceeded the aggregate total of
15
disbursements to controlling persons by the committee during the election cycle.
16

(d) In addition to the presumption in subsection (b) of this section, the use of contributions
17
or donations for the following purposes to benefit a controlling person shall be considered self-
18
dealing and is specifically prohibited.
19

(1) Any residential or household items, supplies, or expenditures, including mortgage, rent,
20
or utility payments for any part of any personal residence;
21

(2) Mortgage, rent, or utility payments for any part of any nonresidential property, that is
22
owned by a controlling person and used for campaign purposes, to the extent the payments exceed
23
the fair-market value of the property usage;
24

(3) Funeral, cremation, or burial expenses, including any expenses related to deaths within
25
a controlling person's family;
26

(4) Clothing, other than items of de minimis value that are used in the campaign;
27

(5) Tuition payments;
28

(6) Dues, fees, or gratuities at a country club, health club, recreational facility or other
29
nonpolitical organization, unless they are part of a specific fundraising event that takes place on the
30
organization's premises;
31

(7) Admission to a sporting event, concert, theater, or other form of entertainment, unless
32
part of a specific campaign or officeholder activity; and
33

(8) Payment of any fines, fees, or penalties assessed, pursuant to this chapter.
34

(e) For purposes of this section:

LC004361 - Page 20 of 22
1

(1) "Agent" means any person with actual authority, whether express or implied, to engage
2
in activities on behalf of another person.
3

(2) "Committee" means an authorized campaign committee of a candidate or officeholder,
4
a political action committee, or a political party committee.
5

(3) "Controlling person" means any person who has authority or ability to direct or control
6
the committee's disbursements, any family member or business partner of such person, and any
7
business entity or other entity owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by such person, family
8
member, or business partner.
9

(4) "Significant disbursement" means a disbursement that exceeds one thousand dollars
10
($1,000) or, when aggregated with all other disbursements by the committee to the recipient within
11
the calendar year, exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000).
12

(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit otherwise prohibited personal uses
13
of campaign funds under § 17-25-7.2.
14
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC004361
========

LC004361 - Page 21 of 22
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND
EXPENDITURES REPORTING
***
1
This act would amend various sections of law relating to campaign contributions and
2
expenditures, including prohibitions on self-dealing with committee funds and would prohibit
3
donations made in fictitious names. This act would also provide that for purposes of the limitations
4
on contributions, all contributions made by political committees established, financed, maintained,
5
or controlled by the same person or the same group of persons shall be considered to have been
6
made by a single political committee.
7
This act would take effect upon passage.
========
LC004361
========

LC004361 - Page 22 of 22