Sec. 9-601. (Formerly Sec. 9-333a). General definitions.
Sec. 9-616. (Formerly Sec. 9-333r). Contributions made or received by candidate committees.
Sec. 9-601. (Formerly Sec. 9-333a). General definitions. As used in this chapter and chapter 157:
(1) “Committee” means a party committee, political committee or a candidate committee organized, as the case may be, for a single primary, election or referendum, or for ongoing political activities, to aid or promote the success or defeat of any political party, any one or more candidates for public office or the position of town committee member or any referendum question.
(2) “Party committee” means a state central committee or a town committee. “Party committee” does not mean a party-affiliated or district, ward or borough committee which receives all of its funds from the state central committee of its party or from a single town committee with the same party affiliation. Any such committee so funded shall be construed to be a part of its state central or town committee for purposes of this chapter and chapter 157.
(3) “Political committee” means (A) a committee organized by a business entity or organization, (B) persons other than individuals, or two or more individuals organized or acting jointly conducting their activities in or outside the state, (C) an exploratory committee, (D) a committee established by or on behalf of a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace, but does not mean a candidate committee or a party committee, (E) a legislative caucus committee, or (F) a legislative leadership committee.
(4) “Candidate committee” means any committee designated by a single candidate, or established with the consent, authorization or cooperation of a candidate, for the purpose of a single primary or election and to aid or promote such candidate's candidacy alone for a particular public office or the position of town committee member, but does not mean a political committee or a party committee. For purposes of this chapter, “candidate committee” includes candidate committees for participating and nonparticipating candidates, unless the context of a provision clearly indicates otherwise.
(5) “Exploratory committee” means a committee established by a candidate for a single primary or election (A) to determine whether to seek nomination or election to (i) the General Assembly, (ii) a state office, as defined in subsection (e) of section 9-610, or (iii) any other public office, and (B) if applicable, to aid or promote such candidate's candidacy for nomination to the General Assembly or any such state office.
(6) “National committee” means the organization which according to the bylaws of a political party is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the party at the national level.
(7) “Organization” means all labor organizations, (A) as defined in the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as from time to time amended, or (B) as defined in subdivision (9) of section 31-101, employee organizations as defined in subsection (d) of section 5-270 and subdivision (6) of section 7-467, bargaining representative organizations for teachers, any local, state or national organization, to which a labor organization pays membership or per capita fees, based upon its affiliation or membership, and trade or professional associations which receive their funds exclusively from membership dues, whether organized in or outside of this state, but does not mean a candidate committee, party committee or a political committee.
(8) “Business entity” means the following, whether organized in or outside of this state: Stock corporations, banks, insurance companies, business associations, bankers associations, insurance associations, trade or professional associations which receive funds from membership dues and other sources, partnerships, joint ventures, private foundations, as defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended; trusts or estates; corporations organized under sections 38a-175 to 38a-194, inclusive, 38a-199 to 38a-209, inclusive, and 38a-214 to 38a-225, inclusive, and chapters 594 to 597, inclusive; cooperatives, and any other association, organization or entity which is engaged in the operation of a business or profit-making activity; but does not include professional service corporations organized under chapter 594a and owned by a single individual, nonstock corporations which are not engaged in business or profit-making activity, organizations, as defined in subdivision (7) of this section, candidate committees, party committees and political committees as defined in this section. For purposes of this chapter, corporations which are component members of a controlled group of corporations, as those terms are defined in Section 1563 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, shall be deemed to be one corporation.
(9) “Individual” means a human being, a sole proprietorship, or a professional service corporation organized under chapter 594a and owned by a single human being.
(10) “Person” means an individual, committee, firm, partnership, organization, association, syndicate, company trust, corporation, limited liability company or any other legal entity of any kind but does not mean the state or any political or administrative subdivision of the state.
(11) “Candidate” means an individual who seeks nomination for election or election to public office whether or not such individual is elected, and for the purposes of this chapter and chapter 157, an individual shall be deemed to seek nomination for election or election if such individual has (A) been endorsed by a party or become eligible for a position on the ballot at an election or primary, or (B) solicited or received contributions, other than for a party committee, made expenditures or given such individual's consent to any other person, other than a party committee, to solicit or receive contributions or make expenditures with the intent to bring about such individual's nomination for election or election to any such office. “Candidate” also means a slate of candidates which is to appear on the ballot in a primary for the office of justice of the peace. For the purposes of sections 9-600 to 9-610, inclusive, and section 9-621, “candidate” also means an individual who is a candidate in a primary for town committee members.
(12) “Treasurer” means the individual appointed by a candidate or by the chairperson of a party committee or a political committee to receive and disburse funds on behalf of the candidate or committee.
(13) “Deputy treasurer” means the individual appointed by the candidate or by the chairperson of a committee to serve in the capacity of the treasurer if the treasurer is unable to perform the treasurer's duties.
(14) “Solicitor” means an individual appointed by a treasurer of a committee to receive, but not to disburse, funds on behalf of the committee.
(15) “Referendum question” means a question to be voted upon at any election or referendum, including a proposed constitutional amendment.
(16) “Lobbyist” means a lobbyist, as defined in section 1-91, and “communicator lobbyist” means a communicator lobbyist, as defined in section 1-91, and “client lobbyist” means a client lobbyist, as defined in section 1-91.
(17) “Business with which he is associated” means any business in which the contributor is a director, officer, owner, limited or general partner or holder of stock constituting five per cent or more of the total outstanding stock of any class. Officer refers only to the president, executive or senior vice-president or treasurer of such business.
(18) “Agent” means a person authorized to act for or in place of another.
(19) “Entity” means the following, whether organized in this or any other state: An organization, corporation, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, cooperative association, limited partnership, professional association, limited liability company and limited liability partnership. “Entity” includes any tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, and any tax-exempt political organization organized under Section 527 of said code.
(20) “Federal account” means a depository account that is subject to the disclosure and contribution limits provided under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended from time to time.
(21) “Public funds” means funds belonging to, or under the control of, the state or a political subdivision of the state.
(22) “Legislative caucus committee” means a committee established under subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 9-605 by the majority of the members of a political party who are also state representatives or state senators.
(23) “Legislative leadership committee” means a committee established under subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of section 9-605 by a leader of the General Assembly.
(24) “Immediate family” means the spouse or a dependent child of an individual.
(25) “Organization expenditure” means an expenditure by a party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee for the benefit of a candidate or candidate committee for:
(A) The preparation, display or mailing or other distribution of a party candidate listing. As used in this subparagraph, “party candidate listing” means any communication that meets the following criteria: (i) The communication lists the name or names of candidates for election to public office, (ii) the communication is distributed through public advertising such as broadcast stations, cable television, newspapers or similar media, or through direct mail, telephone, electronic mail, publicly accessible sites on the Internet or personal delivery, and (iii) the communication is made to promote the success or defeat of any candidate or slate of candidates seeking the nomination for election, or election or for the purpose of aiding or promoting the success or defeat of any referendum question or the success or defeat of any political party, provided such communication is not a solicitation for or on behalf of a candidate committee;
(B) A document in printed or electronic form, including a party platform, an electronic page providing merchant account services to be used by a candidate for the collection of on-line contributions, a copy of an issue paper, information pertaining to the requirements of this title, a list of registered voters and voter identification information, which document is created or maintained by a party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee for the general purposes of party or caucus building and is provided (i) to a candidate who is a member of the party that has established such party committee, or (ii) to a candidate who is a member of the party of the caucus or leader who has established such legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, whichever is applicable;
(C) A campaign event at which campaign materials are present and food or beverage may be provided, but at which no contribution shall be received, solicited or bundled; or
(D) The retention of the services of an advisor or individual to provide assistance relating to a candidate's campaign.
(26) “Solicit” means (A) requesting that a contribution be made, (B) participating in any fundraising activities for a candidate committee, exploratory committee, political committee or party committee, including, but not limited to, forwarding tickets to potential contributors, receiving contributions for transmission to any such committee, serving on the committee that is hosting a fundraising event, introducing the candidate or making other public remarks at a fundraising event, being honored or otherwise recognized at a fundraising event, or bundling contributions, (C) serving as chairperson, treasurer or deputy treasurer of any such committee, or (D) establishing a political committee for the sole purpose of soliciting or receiving contributions for any committee. “Solicit” does not include (i) making a contribution that is otherwise permitted under this chapter, (ii) informing any person of a position taken by a candidate for public office or a public official, (iii) notifying the person of any activities of, or contact information for, any candidate for public office, (iv) serving as a member in any party committee or as an officer of such committee that is not otherwise prohibited in this subdivision, or (v) mere attendance at a fundraiser.
(27) “Bundle” means the forwarding of five or more contributions to a single committee by a communicator lobbyist, an agent of such lobbyist, or a member of the immediate family of such lobbyist, or raising contributions for a committee at a fundraising affair held by, sponsored by, or hosted by a communicator lobbyist or an agent of such lobbyist, or a member of the immediate family of such lobbyist.
(28) “Slate committee” means a political committee formed by two or more candidates for nomination or election to any municipal office in the same town, city or borough, or in a primary for the office of justice of the peace or the position of town committee member, whenever such political committee will serve as the sole funding vehicle for the candidates' campaigns.
(29) (A) “Covered transfer” means any donation, transfer or payment of funds by a person to another person if the person receiving the donation, transfer or payment makes independent expenditures or transfers funds to another person who makes independent expenditures.
(B) The term “covered transfer” does not include:
(i) A donation, transfer or payment made by a person in the ordinary course of any trade or business;
(ii) A donation, transfer or payment made by a person, if the person making the donation, transfer or payment prohibited the use of such donation, transfer or payment for an independent expenditure or a covered transfer and the recipient of the donation, transfer or payment agreed to follow the prohibition and deposited the donation, transfer or payment in an account which is segregated from any account used to make independent expenditures or covered transfers;
(iii) Dues, fees or assessments that are transferred between affiliated entities and paid by individuals on a regular, periodic basis in accordance with a per-individual calculation that is made on a regular basis;
(iv) For purposes of this subdivision, “affiliated” means (I) the governing instrument of the entity requires it to be bound by decisions of the other entity; (II) the governing board of the entity includes persons who are specifically designated representatives of the other entity or who are members of the governing board, officers, or paid executive staff members of the other entity, or whose service on the governing board is contingent upon the approval of the other entity; or (III) the entity is chartered by the other entity. “Affiliated” includes entities that are an affiliate of the other entity or where both of the entities are an affiliate of the same entity.
(30) “Party building activity” includes, but is not limited to, any political meeting, conference, convention, and other event, attendance or involvement at which promotes or advances the interests of a party at a local, state or national level, and any associated expenses, including travel, lodging, and any admission fees or other costs, whether or not any such meeting, conference, convention, or other event is sponsored by the party.
(31) “Social media” means an electronic medium where users may create and view user-generated content, such as uploaded or downloaded videos or still photographs, blogs, video blogs, podcasts or instant messages.
(32) “Child care services” means services rendered to a candidate for the care of any child who is under thirteen years of age and for whom such candidate is the parent or legal guardian, which services are necessary as a direct result of campaign activity that would not exist but for such candidate's campaign.
(P.A. 86-99, S. 2, 34; P.A. 87-264, S. 2; 87-524, S. 1; 87-576, S. 1, 6; P.A. 89-211, S. 16; P.A. 91-351, S. 2, 28; P.A. 95-79, S. 18, 189; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-5, S. 11, 19; P.A. 98-7, S. 1, 4; P.A. 99-12, S. 1, 3; P.A. 03-241, S. 10; Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 18; P.A. 07-1, S. 4; P.A. 10-187, S. 1; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1, S. 7, 8; P.A. 11-48, S. 298; P.A. 13-180, S. 1; P.A. 17-198, S. 11; P.A. 21-49, S. 1; P.A. 23-205, S. 173.)
History: P.A. 87-264 amended Subdiv. (10) to include in definition of “candidate”, in sections indicated, candidates in convention delegate or town committee member primaries; P.A. 87-524 added Subdivs. (15) and (16), defining “lobbyist” and “business with which he is associated”; P.A. 87-576 amended Subdiv. (7) to exclude professional service corporations from definition of “business entity” and amended Subdiv. (8) to include a professional service corporation in definition of “individual”; P.A. 89-211 clarified reference to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; P.A. 91-351 amended Subdiv. (1) to include a committee to aid or promote success or defeat of candidate for position of convention delegate or town committee member in definition of “committee”, added Subpara. (D) to Subdiv. (3) to include committee established by or on behalf of slate of candidates in primary for position of convention delegate to definition of “political committee”, amended Subdiv. (4) to include committee to aid or promote candidacy for position of town committee member to definition of “candidate committee” and amended Subdiv. (10) to include slate of candidates to appear on ballot in primary for position of convention delegate in definition of “candidate” for entire chapter; P.A. 95-79 redefined “person” to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-5 added Subdiv. (17) defining “independent expenditure”, effective July 1, 1997, and applicable to elections and primaries held on or after January 1, 1998; P.A. 98-7 added Subdiv. (18) defining “federal account”, effective January 1, 1999, and applicable to elections and primaries held on or after that date; P.A. 99-12 added Subdiv. (19) defining “public funds”, effective January 1, 2000; P.A. 03-241 amended Subdiv. (1) by deleting candidates for position of convention delegate from definition of “committee”, amended Subdivs. (3) and (10) by substituting “office of justice of the peace” for “position of convention delegate” and making technical changes in definitions of “political committee” and “candidate”, and amended Subdiv. (17) by making a technical change in definition of “independent expenditure”, effective January 1, 2004, and applicable to primaries and elections held on or after that date; Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 applied section to Secs. 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, redefined “political committee” in Subdiv. (3) by substituting “exploratory committee” for former provision in Subpara. (C) and adding Subparas. (E) and (F) re legislative caucus committee and legislative leadership committee, redesignated existing Subdivs. (5) to (17) as Subdivs. (6) to (18) and existing Subdivs. (18) and (19) as Subdivs. (20) and (21), defined “exploratory committee” in new Subdiv. (5), added definition of “communicator lobbyist” in redesignated Subdiv. (16), redefined “independent expenditure” in redesignated Subdiv. (18) by excluding coordinated expenditure and deleting provision specifying expenditures excluded from “independent expenditure”, added new Subdiv. (19) defining “coordinated expenditure” and new Subdivs. (22) to (27) defining “legislative caucus committee”, “legislative leadership committee”, “immediate family”, “organization expenditure”, “solicit” and “agent”, and made technical changes, effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date (Revisor's note: In Subdiv. (19)(C) the words “expenditure by made” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “expenditure be made”); Sec. 9-333a transferred to Sec. 9-601 in 2007; P.A. 07-1 amended Subdiv. (26) to make technical changes in Subpara. (C) and add clause (iv) re serving as member or officer of party committee not otherwise prohibited, effective February 8, 2007; P.A. 10-187 deleted former Subdivs. (18) and (19) defining “independent expenditure” and “coordinated expenditure”, deleted former Subdiv. (27) defining “agent”, redefined “agent” in new Subdiv. (18), added new Subdiv. (19) defining “entity” and made technical changes, effective June 8, 2010; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1 amended Subdiv. (16) to define “client lobbyist” and added new Subdivs. (27) and (28) defining “bundle” and “slate committee”, effective August 13, 2010; P.A. 11-48 amended Subdiv. (4) by redefining “candidate committee” to include committees for participating and nonparticipating candidates, effective January 1, 2012, and applicable to primaries and elections held on and after that date; P.A. 13-180 amended Subdiv. (11)(B) by redefining “candidate” to provide an exclusion for a party committee, amended Subdiv. (12) by changing “campaign treasurer” to “treasurer”, amended Subdiv. (13) by changing “deputy campaign treasurer” to “deputy treasurer”, amended Subdiv. (14) by making a conforming change, amended Subdiv. (19) by redefining “entity” to specify that corporations include for-profit or not-for-profit corporations and to include any tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code or any tax-exempt political organization under Section 527 of said code, amended Subdiv. (25) by redefining “organization expenditure” to replace, in Subpara. (A)(iii), provision re treatment of all candidates substantially similar with provision re promotion of the success or defeat of a candidate, to add provision re an electronic page in Subpara. (B) and to delete former Subpara. (E) re use of offices and equipment, amended Subdiv. (26) by redefining “solicit” to include serving on committee that hosts a fundraising event, making public remarks at such an event or being honored or recognized at such an event, and to add Subpara. (B)(v) re mere attendance at a fundraiser, and added Subdivs. (29), (30) and (31) defining “covered transfer”, “party building activity” and “social media”, effective June 18, 2013; P.A. 17-198 amended Subdiv. (8) to replace “38a-192” with “38a-194”, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 21-49 added Subdiv. (32) defining “child care services”, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 23-205 amended Subdiv. (25) by replacing “a candidate or candidates” with “campaign materials” and adding references re food and beverage and re contribution prohibition in Subpara. (C) and adding “or individual” and replacing “campaign organization, financing, accounting, strategy, law or media” with “a candidate's campaign” in Subpara. (D), effective June 29, 2023.
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Sec. 9-610. (Formerly Sec. 9-333l). Expense sharing by committees. Candidate's expenditures. Use of public funds by incumbent or for promotional campaign or advertisement. Restrictions on lobbyist contributions and solicitations. (a) Any provision of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, a candidate committee may join with one or more candidate committees to establish a political committee for the purpose of sponsoring one or more fund-raising events for those candidates. Any individual, other than a candidate benefited, who is eligible and qualifies to serve in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of section 9-606 may serve as the treasurer or deputy treasurer of such a political committee. The statements required to be filed by a political committee under this chapter shall apply to any political committee established pursuant to this subsection. After all expenses of the political committee have been paid by its treasurer for each event, he shall distribute all remaining funds from such event to the treasurers of each of the candidate committees which established the political committee. The distribution to each candidate committee shall be made not later than fourteen days after the event, either in accordance with a prior agreement of the candidates or, if no prior agreement was made, in equal proportions to each candidate committee. Any contribution which is made to such political committee shall, for purposes of determining compliance with the limitations imposed by this chapter, be deemed to have been made in equal proportions to each candidate's campaign unless (1) a prior agreement was made by the candidates as to the disposition of remaining funds, and (2) those who contributed to the political committee were notified of such disposition, in which case the contribution shall be deemed to have been made to each candidate's campaign in accordance with the agreement.
(b) (1) A candidate committee may pay or reimburse another candidate committee for its pro rata share of the expenses of operating a campaign headquarters and of preparing, printing and disseminating any political communication on behalf of that candidate and any other candidate or candidates, including any shared expenses for which only the committee being paid or reimbursed was under a contractual obligation to pay. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-616, a candidate committee may reimburse a party committee for any expenditure such party committee has incurred for the benefit of such candidate committee.
(2) A legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee may pay or reimburse another legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee for its pro rata share of the expenses of accomplishing the lawful purposes of the paying or reimbursing committee, as described in subparagraph (A)(ii) of subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of section 9-607, including any shared expenses for which only the committee being paid or reimbursed was under a contractual obligation to pay.
(c) A candidate may make any expenditure permitted by section 9-607 to aid or promote the success of his campaign for nomination or election from his personal funds, or the funds of his immediate family, which for the purposes of this chapter shall consist of the candidate's spouse and issue. Any such expenditure shall not be deemed a contribution to any committee.
(d) (1) No incumbent holding office shall, during the three months preceding an election in which he is a candidate for reelection or election to another office, use public funds to mail or print flyers or other promotional materials intended to bring about his election or reelection.
(2) No official or employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state shall authorize the use of public funds for a television, radio, movie theater, billboard, bus poster, newspaper or magazine promotional campaign or advertisement, which (A) features the name, face or voice of a candidate for public office, or (B) promotes the nomination or election of a candidate for public office, during the twelve-month period preceding the election being held for the office which the candidate described in this subdivision is seeking.
(3) As used in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, “public funds” does not include any grant or moneys paid to a qualified candidate committee from the Citizens' Election Fund under this chapter.
(4) No candidate's participation in connection with any activity of the Council of State Governments shall constitute a violation of this subsection.
(e) For purposes of this subsection and subsection (f) of this section, the exclusions to the term “contribution” in subsection (b) of section 9-601a shall not apply; the term “state office” means the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State; and the term “state officer” means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, during any regular session of the General Assembly, during any special session of the General Assembly held between the adjournment of the regular session in an odd-numbered year and the convening of the regular session in the following even-numbered year or during any reconvened session of the General Assembly held in an odd-numbered year to reconsider vetoed bills, (1) no lobbyist or political committee established by or on behalf of a lobbyist shall make or offer to make a contribution to or on behalf of, and no lobbyist shall solicit a contribution on behalf of, (A) a candidate or exploratory committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the General Assembly or a state office, or (B) a political committee (i) established for an assembly or senatorial district, (ii) established by a member of the General Assembly or a state officer or such member or officer's agent, or in consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, any such member, officer or agent, or (iii) controlled by such member, officer or agent, to aid or promote the nomination or election of any candidate or candidates to the General Assembly or a state office, and (2) no such candidate or political committee shall accept such a contribution. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a candidate committee established by a member of the General Assembly or a candidate for nomination or election to the General Assembly, at a special election for the General Assembly, from the date on which the candidate or the chairman of the committee files the designation of a treasurer and a depository institution under section 9-602 with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, to the date on which the special election is held, inclusive, or to an exploratory committee established by a member of the General Assembly to promote his candidacy for an office other than the General Assembly.
(f) (1) A political committee established by two or more individuals under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (3) of section 9-601, other than a committee established solely for the purpose of aiding or promoting any candidate or candidates for municipal office or the success or defeat of a referendum question, shall be subject to the prohibition on acceptance of lobbyist contributions under subsection (e) of this section unless the treasurer of the committee has filed a registration statement as described in subsection (b) of section 9-605 with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, on or before November 15, 2012, for all such political committees in existence on such date, or, if the committee is not in existence on such date, not later than ten days after the organization of the committee pursuant to subsection (a) of section 9-605, and on or before November fifteenth of each even-numbered year thereafter. Such statements shall be filed even if there are no changes, additions or deletions to the registration statement previously filed with the commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, if an officer of the committee has changed since the last registration statement filed with the commission, such registration statement shall be filed by the chairperson of the committee.
(2) A political committee established for ongoing political activities and required pursuant to subsection (a) of section 9-603 to file statements with the commission shall be subject to the prohibition on making contributions under subsection (e) of this section unless the treasurer of the committee has filed a registration statement as described in subsection (b) of section 9-605 with the commission, on forms prescribed by the commission, on or before November 15, 2012, for all such political committees in existence on such date, or, if the committee is not in existence on such date, not later than ten days after the organization of the committee pursuant to subsection (a) of section 9-605, and on or before November fifteenth of each even-numbered year thereafter. Such statements shall be filed even if there are no changes, additions or deletions to the registration statement previously filed with the commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, if an officer of the committee has changed since the last registration statement filed with the commission, such registration statement shall be filed by the chairperson of the committee.
(3) The commission shall prepare a list of all such committees subject to the prohibitions under subsection (e) of this section, based upon an evaluation of registrations filed pursuant to this subsection and subsection (b) of section 9-605. Such list shall be available prior to the opening of each regular session of the General Assembly, and shall provide a copy of the list to the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the House of Representatives and each state officer. During each such regular session, the commission shall prepare a supplemental list of committees that register after November fifteenth and are subject to such prohibitions, and the commission shall provide the supplemental list to such legislative leaders and state officers. The filing of the registration statement by the treasurer of the committee shall not impair the authority of the commission to act under section 9-7b. Any lobbyist or treasurer who acts in reliance on such lists in good faith shall have an absolute defense in any action brought under subsection (e) and this subsection, subsection (c) of section 9-604, and subsection (f) of section 9-608.
(g) No communicator lobbyist, member of the immediate family of a communicator lobbyist, or political committee established or controlled by a communicator lobbyist or a member of the immediate family of a communicator lobbyist shall make a contribution or contributions in excess of one hundred dollars to, or for the benefit of (1) an exploratory committee or a candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Secretary of the State, state senator or state representative, (2) a political committee established or controlled by any such candidate, (3) a legislative caucus committee or a legislative leadership committee, or (4) a party committee.
(h) On and after January 1, 2011, no communicator lobbyist, immediate family member of a communicator lobbyist, agent of a communicator lobbyist, or political committee established or controlled by a communicator lobbyist or any such immediate family member or agent shall knowingly solicit from any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, an employee of or a partner in, or who has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, any client lobbyist that the communicator lobbyist lobbies on behalf of pursuant to the communicator lobbyist's registration under chapter 10 (1) a contribution on behalf of a candidate committee or an exploratory committee established by a candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Secretary of the State, state senator or state representative, a political committee established or controlled by any such candidate, a legislative caucus committee, a legislative leadership committee or a party committee, or (2) the purchase of advertising space in a program for a fund-raising affair sponsored by a town committee, as described in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (10) of subsection (b) of section 9-601a.
(i) No communicator lobbyist or agent of such lobbyist, or member of the immediate family of a communicator lobbyist shall bundle contributions to, (1) an exploratory committee or a candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Secretary of the State, state senator or state representative, (2) a political committee established or controlled by any such candidate, (3) a legislative caucus committee or a legislative leadership committee, or (4) a party committee.
(j) The provisions of subsections (g), (h) and (i) of this subsection shall not apply to the campaign of a communicator lobbyist, immediate family member of a communicator lobbyist or agent of a communicator lobbyist who is a candidate for public office or to an immediate family member of a communicator lobbyist who is an elected public official.
(k) Any person who violates any provision of subsections (g), (h) and (i) of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty, imposed by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, of not more than five thousand dollars or twice the amount of any contribution donated, solicited or bundled in violation of subsection (g), (h) or (i) of this section, whichever is greater.
(P.A. 86-99, S. 13, 34; P.A. 90-267, S. 1; P.A. 91-351, S. 12, 28; P.A. 93-251, S. 1, 5; P.A. 94-132, S. 10; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-5, S. 10, 14, 19; P.A. 99-12, S. 2, 3; P.A. 03-223, S. 8; 03-241, S. 63; Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 27–29; P.A. 06-137, S. 24, 25; P.A. 08-2, S. 8, 9; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1, S. 9; P.A. 11-139, S. 5; 11-173, S. 55; P.A. 13-180, S. 12, 16, 30; P.A. 16-181, S. 1; P.A. 23-205, S. 174.)
History: P.A. 90-267 added Subsec. (e) re prohibitions on certain contributions and the soliciting of such contributions by lobbyists and political committees established by or on behalf of lobbyists, and Subsec. (f) re the implementation of such prohibitions; P.A. 91-351 amended Subsec. (a) to allow political committee to be established for one or more fund-raising events instead of a single event; P.A. 93-251 amended Subsec. (e) to provide that exclusions to term “contribution” in Sec. 9-333b(b) shall not apply for purposes of Subsecs. (e) and (f), amended Subsec. (f) to require that secretary prescribe political committee certification forms by November 15, 1994, instead of December 1, 1990, that certifications be filed by November fifteenth biennially instead of December first annually, that secretary provide political committee registration reports and copies of registrations and certifications to commission and that commission prepare supplemental list of committees registering after November fifteenth instead of December first, and added Subsec. (g) re lobbyist statements, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-132 deleted Subsec. (g)(1) which had required statement to include name and address of persons on whose behalf one was a lobbyist and renumbered Subdivs. (2) and (3) as (1) and (2); June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-5 amended Subsec. (e) by defining “state office” and “state officer” and applied provisions of Subsecs. (e) and (f) to state officers, effective July 1, 1997, and amended Subsec. (g)(1) by repealing reporting of ticket purchases in connection with fund-raising events, effective July 1, 1997, and applicable to elections and primaries held on or after January 1, 1998; P.A. 99-12 amended Subsec. (d) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (2) prohibiting authorization of use of public funds for candidate promotional campaigns or advertisements, effective January 1, 2000; P.A. 03-223 amended Subsec. (a) to require distribution of funds to be made to each candidate committee not later than 14 days after the event, effective July 1, 2003; P.A. 03-241 amended Subsec. (d)(2) by inserting “movie theater, billboard, bus poster,” and by making a technical change, effective July 1, 2003; Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 amended Subsec. (d)(2) by changing “five-month” to “twelve-month” and added Subsec. (d)(3) re exclusion from term “public funds”, effective January 1, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date, and amended Subsec. (g) by deleting definition of “immediate family” and changing “Secretary of the State” to “State Elections Enforcement Commission”, and added Subsecs. (h) and (i) prohibiting contributions by communicator lobbyists, their immediate family members and political committees established or controlled by communicator lobbyists or such immediate family members, and prohibiting solicitations by such lobbyists, family members and political committees and agents of such lobbyists and political committees established or controlled by such agents, effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; P.A. 06-137 amended Subsec. (i) to designate Subdiv. (2) as new Subsec. (j) re exceptions to prohibition, inserting therein “or to an immediate family member of a communicator lobbyist who is an elected public official”, and Subdiv. (3) as new Subsec. (k) re civil penalty for violation of prohibition, inserting therein “donated or”, and made technical changes, effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date, and further amended section to delete former Subsec. (g) and redesignate Subsecs. (h) to (k), inclusive, as Subsecs. (g) to (j), inclusive, and make technical changes, effective October 1, 2007; Sec. 9-333l transferred to Sec. 9-610 in 2007; P.A. 08-2 amended Subsec. (h) to designate existing provisions re contribution solicitation as Subdiv. (1) and add Subdiv. (2) re purchase of advertising space in program for a fund-raising affair sponsored by a town committee, effective April 7, 2008, and amended Subsecs. (e) and (f) to change references from “lobbyist” to “client lobbyist” and “Secretary of the State” to “State Elections Enforcement Commission” and, in Subsec. (f), to replace “on behalf of” with “controlled by” and “1994” with “2008” and eliminate requirement for Secretary of the State to provide political committee registration report to State Elections Enforcement Commission, effective October 1, 2008; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1 amended Subsecs. (e) and (f) by replacing references to client lobbyists with references to lobbyists, amended Subsec. (g) by permitting contributions by communicator lobbyists that do not exceed $100, amended Subsec. (h) by eliminating prohibition on solicitation and adding solicitation restrictions effective on and after January 1, 2011, added new Subsec. (i) prohibiting bundling, redesignated existing Subsecs. (i) and (j) as Subsecs. (j) and (k) and added references to bundling and Subsec. (i) therein, and made technical changes in Subsecs. (d) and (h), effective August 13, 2010; P.A. 11-139 made a technical change in Subsec. (e), effective July 8, 2011; P.A. 11-173 amended Subsec. (f) by dividing existing provisions into Subdivs. (1) to (3) and by making technical changes, amended Subsec. (f)(1) and (3) by replacing language re certification with language re registration and amended Subsec. (f)(2) by adding language re filing of statements, effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 13-180 amended Subsec. (b) to add provisions allowing for reimbursement of shared expenses and amended Subsec. (f)(1) and (2) by adding provisions re change of officer and replacing “campaign treasurer” with “treasurer”, effective June 18, 2013; pursuant to P.A. 13-180, “campaign treasurer” and “deputy campaign treasurer” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “treasurer” and “deputy treasurer”, respectively, in Subsecs. (a), (e) and (f)(3), effective June 18, 2013; P.A. 16-181 amended Subsec. (d) to add Subdiv. (4) re participation in Council of State Governments activity not constituting violation of subsection, effective June 6, 2016; P.A. 23-205 amended Subsec. (b) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (2) re payment or reimbursement for pro rata share of expenses, effective June 29, 2023.
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Sec. 9-612. (Formerly Sec. 9-333n). Other contributions by individuals. Principals of investment services firms, state contractors, principals of state contractors, prospective state contractors or principals of prospective state contractors. Lists. Subcontracts study. State officials or employees. Legislative caucus staff members. (a) No individual shall make a contribution or contributions in any one calendar year in excess of fifteen thousand dollars to the state central committee of any party, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request; or two thousand dollars to a town committee of any political party, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request; or two thousand dollars to a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, or one thousand dollars to any other political committee other than (1) a political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, (2) an exploratory committee, (3) a political committee established by an organization, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request, or (4) a political committee formed by a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace of the same town.
(b) No individual shall make a contribution to a political committee established by an organization which receives its funds from the organization's treasury. With respect to a political committee established by an organization which has complied with the provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of section 9-614, and has elected to receive contributions, no individual other than a member of the organization may make contributions to the committee, in which case the individual may contribute not more than seven hundred fifty dollars in any one calendar year to such committee or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request.
(c) In no event may any individual make contributions to a candidate committee and a political committee formed solely to support one candidate other than an exploratory committee or for the benefit of a candidate committee and a political committee formed solely to support one candidate pursuant to the authorization or request of any such committee, in an amount which in the aggregate is in excess of the maximum amount which may be contributed to the candidate.
(d) Any individual may make unlimited contributions or expenditures to aid or promote the success or defeat of any referendum question, provided any individual who makes an expenditure or expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars to promote the success or defeat of any referendum question shall file statements according to the same schedule and in the same manner as is required of a treasurer of a political committee under section 9-608.
(e) (1) As used in this subsection and subsection (f) of section 9-608, (A) “investment services” means investment legal services, investment banking services, investment advisory services, underwriting services, financial advisory services or brokerage firm services, and (B) “principal of an investment services firm” means (i) an individual who is a director of or has an ownership interest in an investment services firm to which the State Treasurer pays compensation, expenses or fees or issues a contract, except for an individual who owns less than five per cent of the shares of an investment services firm, (ii) an individual who is employed by such an investment services firm as president, treasurer, or executive vice president, (iii) an employee of such an investment services firm who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to any investment services provided to the State Treasurer, (iv) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (v) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph.
(2) No principal of an investment services firm shall make a contribution to, or solicit contributions on behalf of, an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer during the term of office of the State Treasurer who pays compensation, expenses or fees or issues a contract to such firm. The provisions of this subdivision shall apply only to contributions and the solicitation of contributions that are not prohibited under subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section.
(3) Neither the State Treasurer, the Deputy State Treasurer, any unclassified employee of the office of the State Treasurer acting on behalf of the State Treasurer or Deputy State Treasurer, any candidate for the office of State Treasurer, any member of the Investment Advisory Council established under section 3-13b nor any agent of any such candidate may knowingly, wilfully or intentionally solicit contributions on behalf of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, a political committee or a party committee, from a principal of an investment services firm. The provisions of this subdivision shall apply only to contributions and the solicitation of contributions that are not prohibited under subdivision (3) of subsection (f) of this section.
(4) No member of the Investment Advisory Council appointed under section 3-13b shall make a contribution to, or solicit contributions on behalf of, an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer.
(5) The provisions of this subsection shall not restrict an individual from establishing an exploratory or candidate committee or from soliciting for and making contributions to a town committee or political committee that the candidate has designated in accordance with subsection (b) of section 9-604, for the financing of the individual's own campaign or from soliciting contributions for such committees from persons not prohibited from making contributions under this subsection.
(f) (1) As used in this subsection and subsections (g) and (h) of this section:
(A) “Quasi-public agency” has the same meaning as provided in section 1-120.
(B) “State agency” means any office, department, board, council, commission, institution or other agency in the executive or legislative branch of state government.
(C) “State contract” means an agreement or contract with the state or any state agency or any quasi-public agency, let through a procurement process or otherwise, having a value of fifty thousand dollars or more, or a combination or series of such agreements or contracts having a value of one hundred thousand dollars or more in a calendar year, for (i) the rendition of services, (ii) the furnishing of any goods, material, supplies, equipment or any items of any kind, (iii) the construction, alteration or repair of any public building or public work, (iv) the acquisition, sale or lease of any land or building, (v) a licensing arrangement, or (vi) a grant, loan or loan guarantee. “State contract” does not include any agreement or contract with the state, any state agency or any quasi-public agency that is exclusively federally funded, an education loan, a loan to an individual for other than commercial purposes or any agreement or contract between the state or any state agency and the United States Department of the Navy or the United States Department of Defense.
(D) “State contractor” means a person, business entity or nonprofit organization that enters into a state contract. Such person, business entity or nonprofit organization shall be deemed to be a state contractor until December thirty-first of the year in which such contract terminates. “State contractor” does not include a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person's capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.
(E) “Prospective state contractor” means a person, business entity or nonprofit organization that (i) submits a response to a state contract solicitation by the state, a state agency or a quasi-public agency, or a proposal in response to a request for proposals by the state, a state agency or a quasi-public agency, until the contract has been entered into, or (ii) holds a valid prequalification certificate issued by the Commissioner of Administrative Services under section 4a-100. “Prospective state contractor” does not include a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person's capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.
(F) “Principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor” means (i) any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, or has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is a business entity, except for an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, (ii) an individual who is employed by a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is a business entity, as president, treasurer or executive vice president, (iii) an individual who is the chief executive officer of a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is not a business entity, or if a state contractor or prospective state contractor has no such officer, then the officer who duly possesses comparable powers and duties, (iv) an officer or an employee of any state contractor or prospective state contractor who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract, (v) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (vi) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph or the business entity or nonprofit organization that is the state contractor or prospective state contractor.
(G) “Dependent child” means a child residing in an individual's household who may legally be claimed as a dependent on the federal income tax return of such individual.
(H) “Managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract” means having direct, extensive and substantive responsibilities with respect to the negotiation of the state contract and not peripheral, clerical or ministerial responsibilities.
(I) “Rendition of services” means the provision of any service to a state agency or quasi-public agency in exchange for a fee, remuneration or compensation of any kind from the state or through an arrangement with the state.
(J) “State contract solicitation” means a request by a state agency or quasi-public agency, in whatever form issued, including, but not limited to, an invitation to bid, request for proposals, request for information or request for quotes, inviting bids, quotes or other types of submittals, through a competitive procurement process or another process authorized by law waiving competitive procurement.
(K) “Subcontractor” means any person, business entity or nonprofit organization that contracts to perform part or all of the obligations of a state contractor's state contract. Such person, business entity or nonprofit organization shall be deemed to be a subcontractor until December thirty-first of the year in which the subcontract terminates. “Subcontractor” does not include (i) a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or (ii) an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person's capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.
(L) “Principal of a subcontractor” means (i) any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, or has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, a subcontractor, which is a business entity, except for an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, (ii) an individual who is employed by a subcontractor, which is a business entity, as president, treasurer or executive vice president, (iii) an individual who is the chief executive officer of a subcontractor, which is not a business entity, or if a subcontractor has no such officer, then the officer who duly possesses comparable powers and duties, (iv) an officer or an employee of any subcontractor who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a subcontract with a state contractor, (v) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (vi) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph or the business entity or nonprofit organization that is the subcontractor.
(2) (A) No state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or a state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder, or principal of a holder, of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to, or, on and after January 1, 2011, knowingly solicit contributions from the state contractor's or prospective state contractor's employees or from a subcontractor or principals of the subcontractor on behalf of (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee;
(B) No state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or a state contract solicitation with or from the General Assembly or a holder, or principal of a holder, of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to, or, on and after January 1, 2011, knowingly solicit contributions from the state contractor's or prospective state contractor's employees or from a subcontractor or principals of the subcontractor on behalf of (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of state senator or state representative, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee;
(C) If a state contractor or principal of a state contractor makes or solicits a contribution as prohibited under subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, as determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, the contracting state agency or quasi-public agency may, in the case of a state contract executed on or after February 8, 2007, void the existing contract with such contractor, and no state agency or quasi-public agency shall award the state contractor a state contract or an extension or an amendment to a state contract for one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation. No violation of the prohibitions contained in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision shall be deemed to have occurred if, and only if, the improper contribution is returned to the principal by the later of thirty days after receipt of such contribution by the recipient committee treasurer or the filing date that corresponds with the reporting period in which such contribution was made;
(D) If a prospective state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor makes or solicits a contribution as prohibited under subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, as determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, no state agency or quasi-public agency shall award the prospective state contractor the contract described in the state contract solicitation or any other state contract for one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation. The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall notify applicants of the provisions of this subparagraph and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision during the prequalification application process;
(E) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall make available to each state agency and quasi-public agency a written notice advising state contractors and prospective state contractors of the contribution and solicitation prohibitions contained in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision. Such notice shall: (i) Direct each state contractor and prospective state contractor to inform each individual described in subparagraph (F) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, with regard to such state contractor or prospective state contractor, about the provisions of subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, whichever is applicable, and this subparagraph; (ii) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor of the civil and criminal penalties that could be imposed for violations of such prohibitions if any such contribution is made or solicited; (iii) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor that, in the case of a state contractor, if any such contribution is made or solicited, the contract may be voided; (iv) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor that, in the case of a prospective state contractor, if any such contribution is made or solicited, the contract described in the state contract solicitation shall not be awarded, unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation; and (v) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor that the state will not award any other state contract to anyone found in violation of such prohibitions for a period of one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited, unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation. Each state agency and quasi-public agency shall include in the bid specifications or request for proposals for a state contract, a copy of or Internet link to such notice. No state agency or quasi-public agency shall execute a state contract unless such contract contains a representation that the chief executive officer or authorized signatory of the contract has received such notice; and
(F) (i) Any principal of the state contractor or prospective state contractor submitting a bid or proposal for a state contract shall certify that neither the contractor or prospective state contractor, nor any of its principals, have made any contributions to, or solicited any contributions on behalf of, any party committee, exploratory committee, candidate for state-wide office or for the General Assembly, or political committee authorized to make contributions to or expenditures to or for, the benefit of such candidates, in the previous four years, that were determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission to be in violation of subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, without mitigating circumstances having been found to exist concerning such violation. Each such certification shall be sworn as true to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing the certification, subject to the penalties of false statement. If there is any change in the information contained in the most recently filed certification, such person shall submit an updated certification not later than thirty days after the effective date of any such change or upon the submittal of any new bid or proposal for a state contract, whichever is earlier.
(ii) Each state agency and quasi-public agency shall include in the bid specifications or request for proposals for a state contract a notice of the certification requirements of this subparagraph. No state agency or quasi-public agency shall execute a state contract unless the state agency or quasi-public agency obtains the written certification described in this subparagraph.
(iii) Any principal of the state contractor or prospective state contractor submitting a bid or proposal for a state contract shall disclose on the certification all contributions made by any of its principals to any party committee, exploratory committee, candidate for state-wide office or for the General Assembly, or political committee authorized to make contributions to or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates for a period of four years prior to the signing of the contract or date of the response to the bid, whichever is longer, and certify that all such contributions have been disclosed.
(3) (A) On and after December 31, 2006, neither the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, any candidate for any such office nor any agent of any such official or candidate shall knowingly, wilfully or intentionally solicit contributions on behalf of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, a political committee or a party committee, from a person who he or she knows is prohibited from making contributions, including a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor with regard to a state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder of a valid prequalification certificate.
(B) On and after December 31, 2006, neither a member of the General Assembly, any candidate for any such office nor any agent of any such official or candidate shall knowingly, wilfully or intentionally solicit contributions on behalf of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, a political committee or a party committee, from a person who he or she knows is prohibited from making contributions, including a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor with regard to a state contract solicitation with or from the General Assembly or a holder of a valid prequalification certificate.
(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the campaign of a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor or to a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor who is an elected public official.
(5) Each state contractor and prospective state contractor shall make reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of this subsection. If the State Elections Enforcement Commission determines that a state contractor or prospective state contractor has failed to make reasonable efforts to comply with this subsection, the commission may impose civil penalties against such state contractor or prospective state contractor in accordance with subsection (a) of section 9-7b.
(g) (1) Not later than thirty days after February 8, 2007, each state agency and quasi-public agency shall prepare and forward to the State Elections Enforcement Commission, on a form prescribed by said commission, a list of the names of the state contractors and prospective state contractors with which such agency is a party to a contract, and any state contract solicitations or prequalification certificates issued by the agency. Not less than once per month, each state agency and quasi-public agency shall forward to said commission, on a form prescribed by the commission, any changes, additions or deletions to said lists, not later than the fifteenth day of the month.
(2) Not later than sixty days after February 8, 2007, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall (A) compile a master list of state contractors and prospective state contractors for all state agencies and quasi-public agencies, based on the information received under subdivision (1) of this subsection, (B) publish the master list on the commission's Internet web site, and (C) provide copies of the master list to treasurers upon request. The commission shall update the master list every month.
(h) The State Contracting Standards Board shall study subcontracts for state contracts and, not later than February 1, 2010, submit proposed legislation for extending the provisions of this subsection to such subcontracts to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections.
(i) (1) As used in this subsection:
(A) “Quasi-public agency” has the same meaning as provided in section 1-120.
(B) “Unclassified service” has the same meaning as provided in section 5-196.
(2) On and after December 31, 2006:
(A) No executive head of a state agency in the executive branch, executive head of a quasi-public agency, deputy of any such executive head, other full-time official or employee of any such state agency or quasi-public agency who is appointed by the Governor, other full-time official or employee of any such state agency or quasi-public agency who is in the unclassified service, or member of the immediate family of any such person, shall make a contribution or contributions (i) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor, in excess of one hundred dollars for each such campaign, or (ii) to a political committee established by any such candidate, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year;
(B) No official or employee of the office of the Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer who is in the unclassified service, or member of the immediate family of any such person, shall make a contribution or contributions (i) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office in which such official or employee serves, in excess of one hundred dollars for each such campaign, or (ii) to a political committee established by any such candidate, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year; and
(C) No member of a caucus staff for a major party in the Senate or House of Representatives, or member of the immediate family of such person, shall make a contribution or contributions (i) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office of state senator or state representative, in excess of one hundred dollars for each such campaign, (ii) to a political committee established by any such candidate, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year, or (iii) to a legislative caucus committee or a legislative leadership committee, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year.
(P.A. 86-99, S. 15, 34; P.A. 91-351, S. 14, 19, 28; P.A. 95-188, S. 2; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-5, S. 12, 19; P.A. 00-43, S. 18, 19; P.A. 02-130, S. 11; P.A. 03-241, S. 14; Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 31, 32; P.A. 06-137, S. 26, 28; P.A. 07-1, S. 1; 07-202, S. 9; P.A. 08-2, S. 10–12; P.A. 09-234, S. 13; P.A. 10-187, S. 6; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1, S. 10; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-2, S. 51; P.A. 13-180, S. 7; P.A. 14-182, S. 11; P.A. 21-76, S. 5; P.A. 23-205, S. 190.)
History: P.A. 91-351 added Subsec. (a)(4) to provide that $1,000 limit does not apply to contributions to political committee formed by delegate slates and inserted “or position” in Subsec. (e); P.A. 95-188 added Subsec. (f) re contributions for candidates for Treasurer by “investment services” firms or individuals associated with such firms; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-5 amended Subsec. (d) by requiring individuals who make expenditures in excess of $1,000 re referendum to file statements inserting “acting alone”, substituting “candidate, agent of the candidate, or committee” for “other person”, substituting “to promote the success or defeat of” for “for the benefit of” and requiring individuals who make independent campaign-related expenditures in excess of $1,000 to file statements, effective July 1, 1997, and applicable to elections and primaries held on or after January 1, 1998; P.A. 00-43 amended Subsec. (f) by designating existing provisions as Subdivs. (1) and (2) and adding Subdivs. (3) to (5), inclusive, re campaign contributions by members of the Investment Advisory Council and persons or firms doing business with the Treasurer, effective May 3, 2000; P.A. 02-130 substantially revised Subsec. (f) re restrictions applicable to principals of investment services firms, the State Treasurer, certain other public officials and employees, and candidates for the office of State Treasurer and agents of such candidates, and made technical and conforming changes in said Subsec., effective May 10, 2002; P.A. 03-241 amended Subsec. (a) by making a technical change and substituting “office of justice of the peace of the same town” for “position of delegate to the same convention”, effective January 1, 2004, and applicable to primaries and elections held on or after that date; Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 amended Subsec. (a) by establishing a $1,000 limit on contributions to a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee and reducing limit on contributions to other political committees from $1,000 to $750, amended Subsec. (b) to increase limit on contributions to political committee established by organization from $500 to $750, amended Subsec. (e) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1), making a conforming change therein, and adding Subdivs. (2) to (5) re reporting of independent expenditures to promote success or defeat of candidate for state or General Assembly office, complaints re such reporting and enforcement of requirement for such reporting, and amended Subsec. (f) by providing that Subdivs. (2) and (3) apply only to contributions and solicitations not prohibited under Subsec. (g)(2) and (3) and deleting provision that prohibition in Subdiv. (3) shall not apply to State Treasurer establishing exploratory or candidate committee for any other public office, effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date, and added Subsecs. (g) re prohibitions on principal of state contractor or prospective state contractor making or soliciting contributions and on state elected official, candidate or agent or General Assembly member, candidate or agent soliciting contributions from any such principal, (h) re requirements for compiling and distributing master list of principals of state contractors and prospective state contractors, (i) re State Elections Enforcement Commission study of subcontracts for state contracts and (j) re $100 limit on contributions by specified state and General Assembly officials and employees and their immediate family members, effective December 7, 2005; P.A. 06-137 amended Subsec. (h)(1) to authorize state agencies to designate the commission to obtain information needed to prepare the required lists, and amended Subsec. (i) to change the date for submission of the State Elections Enforcement Commission's proposed legislation from not later than February 1, 2007, to not later than February 1, 2009, effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; Sec. 9-333n transferred to Sec. 9-612 in 2007; P.A. 07-1 amended Subsec. (f)(1) to redefine “principal of an investment services firm”, amended Subsec. (f)(3) to require the knowing, wilful or intentional solicitation of contributions, amended Subsec. (f)(5) to include exception for soliciting or making contributions to a town or political committee, amended Subsec. (g)(1)(B) to remove reference to judicial branch, amended Subsec. (g)(1)(C) to redefine “state contract”, amended Subsec. (g)(1)(D) to redefine “state contractor”, amended Subsec. (g)(1)(E) to redefine “prospective state contractor”, amended Subsec. (g)(1)(F) to redefine “principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor”, added Subsec. (g)(1)(G) to (J) defining “dependent child”, “managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract”, “rendition of services” and “state contract solicitation”, amended Subsec. (g)(2) and (3) to make technical and conforming changes, added Subsec. (g)(5) re reasonable efforts to comply with provisions of subsection, and amended Subsec. (h) to change “July 1, 2006” to “thirty days after February 8, 2007” and make technical and conforming changes, effective February 8, 2007; P.A. 07-202 amended Subsec. (g)(2)(D) to require Commissioner of Administrative Services to notify applicants of requirements of subdivision during prequalification application process, effective July 10, 2007; P.A. 08-2 amended Subsec. (g)(2)(A) and (B) to add references to state contract solicitation, amended Subsec. (g)(4) to replace former provisions with exception for campaign of principal of state contractor or prospective state contractor who is elected public official and amended Subsec. (i) to require State Contracting Standards Board to conduct study by February 1, 2010, instead of State Elections Enforcement Commission conducting study by February 1, 2009, effective April 7, 2008; P.A. 09-234 redefined “state contract” in Subsec. (g)(1)(C) to exclude agreements or contracts between the state or any state agency and the United States Department of the Navy or the United States Department of Defense, effective July 9, 2009; P.A. 10-187 amended Subsec. (e) by eliminating references to “person”, adding references to “individual, entity or committee”, changing reporting period from 20 days to 90 days prior to primary or election and making conforming and technical changes and, in Subdiv. (1), by permitting individuals, entities or committees to make unlimited independent expenditures and providing that $1,000 trigger be an aggregate amount and, in Subdiv. (2), by requiring electronic filing of reports and, in Subdiv. (3), by replacing former Subpara. (B) re coordinated expenditure with new Subpara. (B) re independent expenditure and adding Subpara. (C) re compliance, effective June 8, 2010; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1 amended Subsec. (g) by adding Subparas. (K) and (L) defining “subcontractor” and “principal of a subcontractor” in Subdiv. (1) and by eliminating prohibition on solicitation, adding solicitation restrictions effective on and after January 1, 2011, and making technical changes in Subdiv. (2), effective August 13, 2010; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-2 made technical changes in Subsec. (g)(2); P.A. 13-180 amended Subsec. (a) by changing $5,000 to $10,000 re maximum contributions to state central committee, changing $1,000 to $2,000 re maximum contributions to town committee, changing $1,000 to $2,000 re maximum contributions to legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, and changing $750 to $1,000 re maximum contributions to any political committee other than those described in Subdivs. (1) to (4), deleted former Subsec. (e) re independent expenditures, redesignated existing Subsecs. (f) to (j) as Subsecs. (e) to (i), replaced “campaign treasurer” with “treasurer” in Subsec. (d) and in redesignated Subsec. (g)(2) and made conforming changes, effective June 18, 2013; P.A. 14-182 made a technical change in Subsec. (g)(1), effective June 12, 2014; P.A. 21-76 amended Subsec. (f)(2) by replacing provisions re distributing notice to contractors and prospective state contractors with requirement to include notice in bid specifications or request for proposals and adding prohibition on entering into contract without representation by chief executive officer in Subpara. (E) and adding Subpara. (F) re sworn certification by principal of state contractor or prospective state contractor re no contributions or solicitation for contributions, notice of certification requirements and disclosure of contributions, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 23-205 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing from $10,000 to $15,000 the annual limit for individual contributions to state central committees, effective June 29, 2023.
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Sec. 9-616. (Formerly Sec. 9-333r). Contributions made or received by candidate committees. (a) A candidate committee shall not make contributions to, or for the benefit of, (1) a party committee, (2) a political committee, (3) a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office, (4) a national committee, or (5) another candidate committee except that (A) a pro rata sharing of certain expenses in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 9-610 shall be permitted, and (B) after a political party nominates candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, whose names shall be so placed on the ballot in the election that an elector will cast a single vote for both candidates, as prescribed in section 9-181, an expenditure by a candidate committee established by either such candidate that benefits the candidate committee established by the other such candidate shall be permitted.
(b) A candidate committee shall not receive contributions from any national committee or from a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office.
(P.A. 86-99, S. 19, 34; P.A. 91-351, S. 16, 28; P.A. 03-241, S. 15, 64; P.A. 23-205, S. 177.)
History: P.A. 91-351 inserted in Subsec. (a)(2) “except to a political committee which has been formed for a slate of convention delegates in a primary”; P.A. 03-241 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by eliminating exception for political committee formed for slate of convention delegates in primary, effective January 1, 2004, and applicable to primaries and elections held on or after that date, and by adding Subpara. (B) in Subsec. (b)(5) re expenditures by candidate committees established by candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor who are nominated by same party and designating existing exception therein as Subpara. (A), effective July 1, 2003; Sec. 9-333r transferred to Sec. 9-616 in 2007; P.A. 23-205 amended Subsec. (a) to make a technical change, effective June 29, 2023.
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Sec. 9-618. (Formerly Sec. 9-333t). Contributions made or received by political committees organized for ongoing political activities. (a) A political committee organized for ongoing political activities may make unlimited contributions to, or for the benefit of, any national committee of a political party; or a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office. Except as provided in subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of this section, no such political committee shall make a contribution or contributions in excess of two thousand dollars to another political committee in any calendar year. No political committee organized for ongoing political activities shall make a contribution in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars to an exploratory committee. If such an ongoing committee is established by an organization or a business entity, its contributions shall be subject to the limits imposed by sections 9-613 to 9-615, inclusive. A political committee organized for ongoing political activities may make contributions to a charitable organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as from time to time amended, or make memorial contributions.
(b) No political committee organized for ongoing political purposes, except a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate's campaign for election, to the office of: (1) Governor, in excess of five thousand dollars; (2) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller or Attorney General, in excess of three thousand dollars; (3) chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (4) state senator or probate judge, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (5) state representative, in excess of seven hundred fifty dollars; or (6) any other office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars. The limits imposed by this subsection shall apply separately to primaries and elections.
(c) No political committee organized for ongoing political purposes, except a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, shall make a contribution or contributions in a calendar year to, or for the benefit of (1) the state central committee of a political party, in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars; or (2) a town committee of a political party, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars.
(d) (1) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate's campaign for election, to the office of: (A) State senator, in excess of ten thousand dollars; or (B) state representative, in excess of five thousand dollars. The limits imposed by this subdivision shall apply separately to primaries and elections. No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate's campaign for election, to any office not included in this subdivision. Subject to the provisions of this subdivision, a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee may pay or reimburse another legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee for its pro rata share of certain expenses in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 9-610.
(2) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions in any calendar year to, or for the benefit of, the state central committee of a political party, in excess of ten thousand dollars.
(3) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, any committee except as provided in this subsection.
(e) A political committee organized for ongoing political activities may receive contributions from the federal account of a national committee of a political party, but may not receive contributions from any other account of a national committee of a political party or from a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office.
(P.A. 86-99, S. 21, 34; P.A. 90-230, S. 77, 101; P.A. 98-7, S. 3, 4; Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 37; P.A. 08-2, S. 13; P.A. 23-205, S. 175.)
History: P.A. 90-230 made technical change; P.A. 98-7 amended Subsec. (b) to prohibit a political committee organized for ongoing political activities from receiving contributions from a nonfederal account of a national committee of a political party, effective January 1, 1999, and applicable to elections and primaries held on or after that date; Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re authority of political committee organized for ongoing political activities to make unlimited contributions to a party or candidate committee and authority of political committee organized for ongoing political activities to make unlimited contributions to another such committee, adding exception re Subsec. (d)(2) and increasing limit on contributions to exploratory committee from $250 to $375, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (e), added new Subsecs. (b) and (c) re limits on contributions to candidates and party committees by political committee organized for ongoing political purposes, except for legislative caucus or leadership committee, and added new Subsec. (d) re limits on contributions by legislative caucus or leadership committee to legislative candidates and party committees and prohibition on contributions to other candidates and committees, effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; Sec. 9-333t transferred to Sec. 9-618 in 2007; P.A. 08-2 amended Subsec. (a) to change reference from Subsec. (d)(2) to Subsec. (d)(3), effective April 7, 2008; P.A. 23-205 amended Subsec. (d)(1) by adding provision re payment or reimbursement for pro rata share of certain expenses, effective June 29, 2023.
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Sec. 9-619. (Formerly Sec. 9-333u). Contributions made or received by committees established for a single primary or election. (a) No political committee established for a single primary or election shall make contributions to a national committee, or a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office. If such a political committee is established by an organization or a business entity, its contributions shall also be subject to the limitations imposed by sections 9-613 to 9-615, inclusive. Except as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, no political committee formed for a single election or primary shall, with respect to such election or primary make a contribution or contributions in excess of two thousand dollars to another political committee, provided no such political committee shall make a contribution in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars to an exploratory committee.
(b) No political committee established for a single primary or election, except a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate's campaign for election, to the office of: (1) Governor, in excess of five thousand dollars; (2) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller or Attorney General, in excess of three thousand dollars; (3) chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (4) state senator or probate judge, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (5) state representative, in excess of seven hundred fifty dollars; or (6) any other office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars. The limits imposed by this subsection shall apply separately to primaries and elections.
(c) No political committee established for a single primary or election, except a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, shall make a contribution or contributions in a calendar year to, or for the benefit of (1) the state central committee of a political party, in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars; or (2) a town committee of a political party, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars.
(d) (1) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate's campaign for election, to the office of: (A) State senator, in excess of ten thousand dollars; or (B) state representative, in excess of five thousand dollars. The limits imposed by this subdivision shall apply separately to primaries and elections. No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate's campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate's campaign for election, to any office not included in this subdivision. Subject to the provisions of this subdivision, a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee may pay or reimburse another legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee for its pro rata share of certain expenses in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 9-610.
(2) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions in any calendar year to, or for the benefit of, the state central committee of a political party, in excess of ten thousand dollars.
(3) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, any committee except as provided in this subsection.
(e) A political committee established for a single primary or election shall not receive contributions from a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office or from a national committee.
(P.A. 86-99, S. 22, 34; Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 38; P.A. 23-205, S. 176.)
History: Oct. 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re authority of political committee established for a single election or primary to make unlimited contributions to a party or candidate committee, making a conforming change, adding exception re Subsec. (d)(2) and increasing limit on contributions to exploratory committee from $250 to $375, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (e), added new Subsecs. (b) and (c) re limits on contributions to candidates and party committees by political committee established for a single election or primary, except for legislative caucus or leadership committee, and added new Subsec. (d) re limits on contributions by legislative caucus or leadership committee to legislative candidates and party committees and prohibition on contributions to other candidates and committees, effective December 31, 2006, and applicable to elections held on or after that date; Sec. 9-333u transferred to Sec. 9-619 in 2007; P.A. 23-205 amended Subsec. (d)(1) by adding provision re payment or reimbursement for pro rata share of certain expenses, effective June 29, 2023.
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