Campaign finance; large pre-election contributions report, election day reporting requirement.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1348

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections

on February 24, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Seibold)

A BILL to amend and reenact §
24.2-947.9
of the Code of Virginia, relating to campaign finance; large pre-election contributions report; election day reporting requirement.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §
24.2-947.9
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§
24.2-947.9
. Special report required of certain large pre-election contributions.

A. Any contribution reported pursuant to this section shall also be reported on the first report required by this article after any election.

B. Except as provided in subsection C, any single contribution of $5,000 or more for a statewide office, $1,000 or more for the General Assembly, or $500 or more for any other office, knowingly received or reported by the candidate or his treasurer on behalf of his candidacy on and after the eleventh day preceding (i) a primary and before the primary date, (ii) a general election and before the general election date, or (iii) any other election in which the individual is a candidate and before the election day, shall be reported in writing as provided in §§
24.2-947.4
and
24.2-947.5
or electronically pursuant to §
24.2-946.1
, and the report shall be received by the State Board or general registrar, as appropriate, by 11:59 p.m. on the following day or for a contribution received on a Saturday by 11:59 p.m. on the following Monday. However, any such contribution received

within the 24 hours prior to the election
day
before 5:00 p.m.
on the day
prior to
the election
shall be reported and a report thereof received
by 11:59 p.m.
on the day prior to the election.
Any contributions received a
t
5:00 p.m.
or later
on the day pr
ior to the election shall be reported and a report thereof received by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the election.

C. The reports required by subsection B
of this section
shall also be required of any candidate for nomination by a political party to serve as the party's nominee in a general or special election if (i) the party nominates by convention or any method other than a primary and (ii) there are at least two candidates for nomination pursuant to the rules and procedures of the party. In such case, candidates for nomination shall be required to file the reports required by subsection B for the 11-day period, as specified by subsection B, immediately preceding:

1. The caucus, mass meeting, convention, or other nominating event at which the party's nomination shall be finally determined pursuant to the rules and procedures of the party; and

2. Any caucus, mass meeting, convention, or other nominating event, other than that at which the party's nomination shall be finally determined, at which delegates are chosen who are pledged to support a specified candidate on at least one ballot at a subsequent district or state convention required as part of the nominating process.

D. No report shall be required pursuant to subsection C if the candidate is or has become, by virtue of the withdrawal of any opponent or the operation of the rules and procedures of the party, unopposed for nomination at the time such report otherwise would be required to be made.

E. Any person who is named as the candidate on the statement of organization for more than one campaign committee required to file campaign finance reports under this article shall be required to file special reports pursuant to this section for all such committees during the period applicable to any such campaign committee.

2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on July 1, 2027.