Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H848 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	1 of 1
2	2	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2390 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 848
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	John J. Lawn, Jr.
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act relative to campaign finance reform.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:John J. Lawn, Jr.10th Middlesex1/16/2025 1 of 23
16	16	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2390 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
17	17	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 848
18	18	By Representative Lawn of Watertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 848) of John
19	19	J. Lawn, Jr. relative to campaign finance reform. Election Laws.
20	20	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
21	21	_______________
22	22	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
23	23	(2025-2026)
24	24	_______________
25	25	An Act relative to campaign finance reform.
26	26	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
27	27	of the same, as follows:
28	28	1 SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 50 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020
29	29	2Official Edition, is hereby amended by deleting the nineteenth paragraph in its entirety and
30	30	3inserting in its place the following:-
31	31	4 ''Political committee'' shall apply only to a committee elected as provided in chapter fifty-
32	32	5two, except that in chapter fifty-five it shall also apply to any committee, association,
33	33	6organization or other group of persons, including a national, regional, state, county, or municipal
34	34	7committee, which receives contributions or makes expenditures for the purpose of influencing
35	35	8the nomination or election of a candidate, or candidates, or of presidential and vice presidential
36	36	9electors, or for the purpose of opposing or promoting a charter change, referendum question,
37	37	10constitutional amendment, or other question submitted to the voters. 2 of 23
38	38	11 SECTION 2. Section 1 of chapter 55 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
39	39	12Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end of the definition of “contribution” the
40	40	13following sentence in line 72:-
41	41	14 It shall not include any payments in the aggregate of less than $7,500 per calendar year
42	42	15made by individuals for food, beverages, or goods sold by a political party committee organized
43	43	16pursuant to G.L. c. 52, §§2 and 3 for a nominal price per item at events such as bake sales,
44	44	17farmer’s markets, or community festivals even if the purchase price exceeds the cost of the goods
45	45	18sold.
46	46	19 SECTION 3. Said section 1 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby further
47	47	20amended by inserting after the definition of “independent expenditure” the following definition:-
48	48	21 “In-kind contribution”, anything of value that is provided to a committee or candidate in
49	49	22a non-monetary form, including, but not limited to: (i) the value of goods or services provided
50	50	23free of charge; (ii) the difference between the cost charged and the usual market value charged;
51	51	24or (iii) the amount paid by a person or entity on behalf of the committee or candidate.
52	52	25 SECTION 4. Section 2 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
53	53	26from paragraph (1) the words “fifty dollars” wherever they appear and inserting in its place the
54	54	27following: - “one hundred dollars”.
55	55	28 SECTION 5. Section 2 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
56	56	29from paragraph (3) the words “fifty dollars” and inserting in its place the following: - “one
57	57	30hundred dollars”. 3 of 23
58	58	31 SECTION 6. Section 3 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking the
59	59	32fifth line of the eighth paragraph in its entirety and inserting in its place the following: -
60	60	33 The name of a candidate who is required to file campaign finance reports with the
61	61	34director, and who fails to file any statement or report after the initiation of civil proceedings
62	62	35under this section to compel the filing, shall not be printed on any municipal preliminary, state
63	63	36primary or general or special election ballot for a period of ten years from the due date of the
64	64	37statement or report not filed or unless the statement or report is timely filed pursuant to chapter
65	65	3853 or any charter or special law establishing the filing deadline, whichever comes first.
66	66	39 SECTION 7. Section 3 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking the
67	67	40seventh line of the eighth paragraph in its entirety and inserting in its place the following: -
68	68	41 Any candidate who is disqualified from appearing on any municipal preliminary, state
69	69	42primary or general or special election ballot as set forth above shall be ineligible to be nominated
70	70	43or elected as a write-in or sticker candidate for a period of ten years from the due date of the
71	71	44statement or report not filed or unless the candidate shall have filed the statements or reports
72	72	45which are the subject of the civil litigation by the date of the municipal preliminary, state
73	73	46primary or general or special election in which the candidate is seeking nomination or election,
74	74	47whichever comes first.
75	75	48 SECTION 8. Section 3 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding a
76	76	49new second sentence to the ninth paragraph as follows: -
77	77	50 Any records or documents received or reviewed by the director as part of an audit or
78	78	51investigation shall not be a public record while in the custody and possession of the agency. 4 of 23
79	79	52 SECTION 9. Section 3 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking the
80	80	53first sentence in the eleventh paragraph in its entirety and inserting in its place the following: -
81	81	54 The director shall inform any person or committee under investigation by said director by
82	82	55certified mail, return receipt requested, by personal delivery, by leaving a copy of the notice at
83	83	56the person's last and usual place of residence, by delivering a copy of the notice to an attorney
84	84	57who has appeared on behalf of the alleged violator, or by service may be made by a deputy
85	85	58sheriff or constable either by personal delivery or leaving at the person’s last and usual place of
86	86	59residence, of his intention to present to the attorney general evidence of any alleged violation of
87	87	60this chapter.
88	88	61 SECTION 10. Section 3 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding (a)
89	89	62at the beginning of the first paragraph; by adding (b) at the beginning of the sixth paragraph; by
90	90	63adding (c) at the beginning of the twelfth paragraph; by adding (d) at the beginning of the
91	91	64thirteenth paragraph; by adding (e) at the beginning of the fourteenth paragraph; and by adding a
92	92	65new section 3(f) as follows: -
93	93	66 (f) The director may resolve any matter concerning violation of this chapter through the
94	94	67following disposition method:
95	95	68 (1) If the director determines, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that any candidate,
96	96	69committee, or other person or entity has failed to file a statement or report as required by law, or
97	97	70if it appears to the director that any such statement or report filed with him does not conform to
98	98	71law, the director may order such candidate, committee, or other person or entity to file such
99	99	72statement or report, or to amend such statement or report so that it conforms to the law, and may
100	100	73take such other action, including the imposition of an administrative fine, an order to disgorge a 5 of 23
101	101	74contribution received that does not conform to the law or a contribution received in a manner that
102	102	75does not conform to the law, or any other such relief as in the director’s judgment may be
103	103	76necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Any administrative fine imposed pursuant to
104	104	77this chapter shall be consistent with the penalties set forth in the applicable section or sections of
105	105	78G.L. chapter 5, and any fine collected shall be deposited in the Local Election Early Voting Fund
106	106	79established by section 42 of chapter 10.
107	107	80 (2) No order under this section may be entered without prior notice of and opportunity for
108	108	81hearing. Notice shall conform to section 3(b).
109	109	82 (3) Any person aggrieved by a final decision of or order issued by the director in an
110	110	83adjudicatory proceeding hereunder may obtain judicial review pursuant to section fourteen of
111	111	84chapter thirty A.
112	112	85 SECTION 11. Section 5 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
113	113	86striking out the word “address” in line 10 and inserting in place thereof the following:-
114	114	87 business address.
115	115	88 SECTION 12. Said section 5 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby further
116	116	89amended by striking out the phrase “the name and residential address” in lines 17 and 18 and
117	117	90inserting in place thereof the following:-
118	118	91 the name and business or residential address.
119	119	92 SECTION 13. Said section 5 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby further
120	120	93amended by striking out the phrase “residential address” in line 19 and inserting in place thereof
121	121	94the following:- 6 of 23
122	122	95 business or residential address.
123	123	96 SECTION 14. Said section 5 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby further
124	124	97amended by striking out the phrase “name and address” in line 21 and inserting in place thereof
125	125	98the following:-
126	126	99 name and business or residential address.
127	127	100 SECTION 15. Said section 5 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby further
128	128	101amended by striking out the word “addresses” in line 62 and inserting in place thereof the
129	129	102following:-
130	130	103 business or residential addresses.
131	131	104 SECTON 16. Section 6 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by
132	132	105striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
133	133	106 A political committee, duly organized, may receive, pay or expend money or other things
134	134	107of value for the enhancement of the political future of the candidate or the principle for which the
135	135	108committee was organized; provided, however, that the expenditure shall not be primarily for the
136	136	109candidate’s or any other person’s personal use. The director shall establish reasonable rules and
137	137	110regulations concerning the expenditures.
138	138	111 SECTION 17. Section 6 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
139	139	112striking from the second paragraph the numerals $100 and inserting in place thereof the
140	140	113following: - $500.
141	141	114 SECTION 18. Section 6 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
142	142	115striking the fourth paragraph in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following: - 7 of 23
143	143	116 Except as otherwise provided in section six B, a political committee not organized on
144	144	117behalf of an individual candidate may contribute to another political committee not organized on
145	145	118behalf of an individual candidate; provided, however, that the aggregate of contributions to
146	146	119elected political committees or non-elected political committees organized on behalf of a
147	147	120political party pursuant to G.L. c. 52, §1 shall not exceed in any one calendar year the sum of
148	148	121$15,000, and provided further the aggregate of such campaign contributions to any one such
149	149	122political committee established pursuant to G.L. c. 52, §§2 and 3 shall not exceed in any one
150	150	123calendar year the sum of $1,500; and provided further that the aggregate of contributions to a
151	151	124political committee other than a political party committee shall not exceed in any one calendar
152	152	125year the sum of $1,500. A political committee not organized on behalf of an individual
153	153	126candidate, other than a political party committee, may contribute to the campaign fund of a
154	154	127candidate; provided, however, that the aggregate of all such contributions for the benefit of any
155	155	128one candidate and such candidate's committee shall not exceed the sum of $1,500 in any one
156	156	129calendar year. The political committee of a political party may contribute to the campaign fund
157	157	130of a candidate; provided, however, that the aggregate of all contributions of money for the
158	158	131benefit of any one candidate and the non-elected political committee organized on such
159	159	132candidate's behalf shall not exceed in any one calendar year the sum of $7,500 in the case of the
160	160	133state committee and the sum of $1,500 in the case of each town or ward committee. For the
161	161	134purposes of the limitations established by this section, all campaign contributions made by
162	162	135political committees established, financed, maintained or controlled by any person, including any
163	163	136parent committee of a subsidiary committee or any person other than a natural person, shall be
164	164	137considered to have been made by a single political committee. Nothing in this section shall be 8 of 23
165	165	138construed to permit contributions to political committees which are otherwise prohibited by this
166	166	139chapter.
167	167	140 SECTION 19. Section 6A of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
168	168	141deleting the section in its entirety.
169	169	142 SECTION 20. Section 7 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by deleting
170	170	143the section in its entirety and inserting in its place the following: -
171	171	144 Section 7. Receipts, disbursements and contributions regulated; limitations; penalties
172	172	145 No person or combination of persons, including a corporation formed under the
173	173	146provisions of chapter one hundred and eighty, shall in connection with any nomination or
174	174	147election receive money or its equivalent, expend or disburse or promise to expend or disburse the
175	175	148same, except as authorized by this chapter. A political committee or a person acting under the
176	176	149authority or on behalf of such a committee may receive money or its equivalent, or expend or
177	177	150disburse or promise to expend or disburse the same for the purpose of aiding or promoting the
178	178	151success or defeat of a candidate at a primary or election or a political party or principle in public
179	179	152election or favoring or opposing the adoption or rejection of a question submitted to the voters,
180	180	153and for other purposes expressly authorized by this chapter subject, however, to the provisions
181	181	154thereof. A candidate may make expenditures without limitation for the purposes of his own
182	182	155campaign and may make campaign contributions without limitation for the benefit of the non-
183	183	156elected political committee organized on his behalf.
184	184	157 No candidate or candidate's committee shall receive a transfer of funds or assets from any
185	185	158federal political committee. 9 of 23
186	186	159 Violation of any provision of this section or section seven A shall be punished by
187	187	160imprisonment for not more than six months or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.
188	188	161 SECTION 21. Section 7A of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
189	189	162striking from paragraph (a)(1) the numerals $1,000 and inserting in place thereof the following: -
190	190	163$1,500
191	191	164 SECTION 22. Section 7A of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
192	192	165striking paragraph (a)(2) in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following: -
193	193	166 An individual may in addition make campaign contributions for the benefit of elected
194	194	167political committees or non-elected political committees organized on behalf of a political party;
195	195	168provided, however, that that the aggregate of such campaign contributions to any one such
196	196	169political committee established pursuant to G.L. c. 52, §1 shall not exceed in any one calendar
197	197	170year the sum of $15,000, and provided further the aggregate of such campaign contributions to
198	198	171any one such political committee established pursuant to G.L. c. 52, §§2 and 3 shall not exceed
199	199	172in any one calendar year the sum of $1,500.
200	200	173 SECTION 23. Section 7A of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
201	201	174from paragraph (a)(3) the words “five hundred dollars” and inserting in place thereof the
202	202	175following: - $1,500
203	203	176 SECTION 24. Section 7A of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
204	204	177from paragraph (b) the words “two hundred dollars” and inserting in place thereof the following:
205	205	178- $500 10 of 23
206	206	179 SECTION 25. Section 7A of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
207	207	180from paragraph (c) the numbers “$200” and inserting in place thereof the following: - $500
208	208	181 SECTION 26. Said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after
209	209	182section 7A the following section:-
210	210	183 Section 7B. Using the federal consumer price index for the Boston statistical area, the
211	211	184director shall biennially index for inflation the contribution and aggregate amount limits referred
212	212	185to in sections 6 and 7A of this chapter. Not later than December 31st of each even numbered year
213	213	186beginning with 2026, the director shall calculate and publish such indexed limits, rounded up to
214	214	187the nearest $50; provided, however, that the director shall use the unrounded limits when
215	215	188indexing the limits for inflation in the subsequent even numbered year.
216	216	189 SECTION 27. Said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by deleting Section
217	217	1908A in its entirety.
218	218	191 SECTION 28. Section 9 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
219	219	192striking from the title of the section the words “$50 or”.
220	220	193 SECTION 29. Section 9 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
221	221	194striking from the first sentence the phrase “$50 in cash or $100 in money order or bank check”
222	222	195and inserting in its place the following: - $100 in cash, money order or bank check.
223	223	196 SECTION 30. Section 9 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
224	224	197striking from the sixth sentence the numbers “$50” and inserting in its place the following: -
225	225	198$100. 11 of 23
226	226	199 SECTION 31. Section 13 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
227	227	200striking the first sentence in their entirety and inserting in their place the following: -
228	228	201 No person employed for compensation, other than an elected officer, by the
229	229	202commonwealth or any county, city or town shall directly or indirectly solicit or receive any gift,
230	230	203payment, contribution, assessment, subscription or promise of money or other thing of value for
231	231	204the political campaign purposes of any candidate for public office or of any political committee,
232	232	205or for any political purpose whatever. This prohibition shall not apply to any person when on an
233	233	206uncompensated leave of absence from such position or to a member of the National Guard when
234	234	207not on active duty. This section shall not prevent such persons from being members of political
235	235	208organizations or committees. A person so employed may not serve as the treasurer of a political
236	236	209committee. The soliciting or receiving of any gift, payment, contribution, assessment,
237	237	210subscription or promise of money or other thing of value by a non-elected political committee
238	238	211organized to promote the candidacy for public office of a person so employed for compensation
239	239	212by the commonwealth or any county, city or town, shall not be deemed to be a direct or indirect
240	240	213solicitation or receipt of such contribution by such person; provided, however, that no such gift,
241	241	214payment, contribution, assessment, subscription or promise of money or other thing of value may
242	242	215be solicited or received on behalf of such a person from any person or combination of persons if
243	243	216such person so employed knows or has reason to know that the person or combination of persons
244	244	217has an interest in any particular matter in which the person so employed participates or has
245	245	218participated in the course of such employment or which is the subject of his official
246	246	219responsibility.
247	247	220 SECTION 32. Section 14 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
248	248	221striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following: 12 of 23
249	249	222 Section 14. No person shall in any building or part thereof occupied for state, county or
250	250	223municipal purposes demand, solicit or receive any payment or gift of money or other thing of
251	251	224value for the purposes set forth in section 13 of this chapter; provided, however, that this section
252	252	225shall not apply to an individual, candidate, political committee or a person acting on behalf of
253	253	226such individual, candidate or political committee, that rents or leases a portion of a building
254	254	227occupied for state, county or municipal purposes, other than the state house or a city or town hall,
255	255	228for the purpose of holding a meeting, fundraiser, or similar event on the same terms and
256	256	229conditions as offered to a member of the public; and provided further, that no government
257	257	230business is conducted in that portion of the building during the meeting, fundraiser, or event.
258	258	231 SECTION 33. Said section 18 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
259	259	232striking out the phrase “January 20” wherever it may appear and inserting in place thereof the
260	260	233phrase “January 31”.
261	261	234 SECTION 34. Said Section 18 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
262	262	235striking out paragraph (a)(1)(i) in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:
263	263	236 (i) the eighth day preceding a city or town preliminary or primary, including a caucus, the
264	264	237eighth day preceding a city or town election, and if a town election held on or after November 1
265	265	238or city election, as a final report, January 20 in the following year complete as to December 31 of
266	266	239the prior year, and all other town elections, as a final report, the thirtieth day following said
267	267	240election;
268	268	241 SECTION 35: Section 18 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
269	269	242striking from paragraph (e)(2) the numbers “$50” wherever they appear and inserting in its place
270	270	243the following: - $100. 13 of 23
271	271	244 SECTION 36: Section 18 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
272	272	245striking from paragraph (e)(8) the numbers “$50” and inserting in its place the following: - $100.
273	273	246 SECTION 37: Section 18 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
274	274	247striking from paragraph (f) the numbers “$50” wherever they appear and inserting in its place the
275	275	248following: - $100.
276	276	249 SECTION 38. Section 18A of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
277	277	250striking out the phrase “after the tenth day, but more than 24 hours before the date of any
278	278	251election,” and inserting in place thereof the following:-
279	279	252 after the tenth day before the date of the election and up through the date of the election.
280	280	253 SECTION 39. Said section 18A of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby further
281	281	254amended by striking out subsection (d) and inserting in place thereof the following:-
282	282	255 (d) For the purposes of this section, an ''independent expenditure PAC'' shall be a political
283	283	256committee or other entity that receives contributions to make independent expenditures. An
284	284	257independent expenditure PAC shall organize in accordance with section 5 of this chapter and
285	285	258shall, if organized with the director, appoint a depository bank in accordance with section 19 of
286	286	259this chapter. An independent expenditure PAC that organizes and files reports with the director
287	287	260shall file reports in accordance with the schedule set forth in section 19(b)(2) of this chapter. An
288	288	261independent expenditure PAC that organizes and files reports with a city or town clerk shall file
289	289	262reports in accordance with the schedule set forth in section 18(a)(1) of this chapter.
290	290	263 In addition to any reports required by sections 18 or 19 of this chapter, the independent
291	291	264expenditure PAC shall file reports as required by subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such 14 of 23
292	292	265reports shall be filed with the director if the independent expenditure PAC is organized with the
293	293	266office of campaign and political finance, or with the city or town clerk if organized with the
294	294	267clerk. Reports filed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall disclose contributions
295	295	268received, expenditures made and liabilities incurred during the reporting period. The reporting
296	296	269period for the first report filed by an independent expenditure PAC pursuant to subsections (a) or
297	297	270(b) of this section shall commence on the day the independent expenditure PAC was organized
298	298	271and shall be complete through the date of the latest expenditure disclosed in the report. The
299	299	272reporting period for the next report shall commence on the date following the last date included
300	300	273in the previous report filed pursuant to subsections (a) or (b) of this section and shall be complete
301	301	274through the date of the latest expenditures disclosed in the report. An independent expenditure
302	302	275PAC shall also file a year-end report by January 31 of each year the independent expenditure
303	303	276PAC remains in existence and shall file a final report upon dissolution. The reporting period for
304	304	277the year-end report shall be cumulative for the calendar year, commencing on January 1 and
305	305	278ending on December 31 of each calendar year. The director shall adopt regulations regarding
306	306	279independent expenditure PACs.
307	307	280 SECTION 40. Section 18A(d) of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
308	308	281striking out the phrase “January 20” and inserting in place thereof the phrase “January 31”.
309	309	282 SECTION 41. Section 18B of said chapter 55, as so appearing is hereby amended by
310	310	283deleting the section in its entirety.
311	311	284 SECTION 42. Section 18C of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
312	312	285striking Paragraph (a) in its entirety and inserting in its place the following: - 15 of 23
313	313	286 (a) The director shall develop an electronic reporting system for the submission, retrieval,
314	314	287storage and public disclosure of campaign finance reports and financial activity statements
315	315	288required to be filed with the director. The director shall make all the data filed available on the
316	316	289internet except for the building number and street name of any person or entity listed as having
317	317	290made a political contribution to the candidate or political committee filing the report. The
318	318	291address information suppressed must remain available on the report maintained in the director’s
319	319	292office but shall not be available as a public record.
320	320	293 SECTION 43. Section 18C of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
321	321	294deleting Paragraph (b)(viii) in its entirety.
322	322	295 SECTION 44. Section 18D of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
323	323	296deleting the section in its entirety.
324	324	297 SECTION 45. Section 18E of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
325	325	298deleting from (b) the numbers “$50” and inserting it its place the following: - $100.
326	326	299 SECTION 46. Said section 19 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby further amended
327	327	300by striking from the first sentence in paragraph (a) the words “the treasurers of people's
328	328	301committees and political action committees that file with the director other than independent
329	329	302expenditure PACs” and inserting in its place the following: -
330	330	303 the treasurers of people's committees, political action committees and independent
331	331	304expenditure PACs that file with the director. 16 of 23
332	332	305 SECTION 47. Said section 19 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby further
333	333	306amended by striking out the word “and” in line 47 and inserting after the word “report” in line 48
334	334	307the following:-
335	335	308 ; (iv) a list of all in-kind contributions of more than $50 received as of the last day of the
336	336	309preceding month and since the last statement, including an alphabetical list of names and
337	337	310addresses of each person making such contribution, the date received, the type of in-kind
338	338	311contribution and the value of the in-kind contribution; and (v) a list of new liabilities incurred as
339	339	312of the last day of the preceding month, including the name and address of the person to whom
340	340	313the liability exists, together with a clear statement of purpose for which it was incurred.
341	341	314 SECTION 48. Section 19 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby further amended
342	342	315by striking out subsection (c) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection: -
343	343	316 (c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all payments for campaign purposes
344	344	317made by or for the benefit of a candidate or by the treasurer of a political committee which are in
345	345	318excess of $100 shall be made only from funds on deposit in the depository through checks drawn
346	346	319on the depository and indicating that the checks are drawn on the campaign account of the
347	347	320candidate or the political committee involved, or in another form as permitted by this section. All
348	348	321checks drawn on the campaign account shall be payable to the order of a named payee. The
349	349	322memo line of the check shall be used by the political committee issuing the check to indicate the
350	350	323specific purpose of the expenditure. A political action committee or political party committee
351	351	324making an expenditure to support or oppose a candidate shall identify the candidate on the check.
352	352	325 Notwithstanding the restrictions in the paragraph above, a committee may reimburse
353	353	326individuals, including the candidate or treasurer, in amounts greater than $100; provided, 17 of 23
354	354	327however, that the reimbursement amounts shall not be more than $1,000; and provided further,
355	355	328that the committee complies with the following requirements: (i) reimbursements shall be made
356	356	329to individuals not later than thirty days after the date of the first reimbursed expenditure; (ii)
357	357	330reimbursement reports shall be filed within three days of the reimbursement check being issued
358	358	331to disclose underlying expenditures; (iii) no person who is authorized to make expenditures for a
359	359	332committee may write a check payable to themself; (iv) detailed records including receipts for
360	360	333reimbursed expenditures shall be maintained; and (v) if a reimbursement is not made consistent
361	361	334with this paragraph the expenditure shall be deemed an in-kind contribution or loan by the
362	362	335individual and subject to all contribution restrictions.
363	363	336 A candidate or treasurer of a political committee required to designate a depository may
364	364	337make expenditures by wire transfer, electronic fund transfer or other electronic means, credit
365	365	338card or debit card; provided, however, that a candidate or treasurer making an expenditure shall
366	366	339ensure that the date, amount and specific purpose of the expenditure is disclosed in accordance
367	367	340with regulations established by the director; and provided further, that a candidate or a treasurer
368	368	341of a candidate's committee for nomination or election to the state senate or house of
369	369	342representatives shall provide such disclosures on the same schedule as set forth in paragraph (3)
370	370	343of subsection (b).
371	371	344 SECTION 49. Section 19 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
372	372	345striking out the phrase “January 20” wherever it may appear and inserting in place thereof the
373	373	346phrase “January 31”. 18 of 23
374	374	347 SECTION 50. Section 19 of said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
375	375	348striking the numbers “$50” wherever they may appear and inserting in its place the following: -
376	376	349$100.
377	377	350 SECTION 51. Section 22 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
378	378	351out in the third paragraph the phrase “(4) the twentieth day of January” and inserting in its place
379	379	352the phrase “January 31”.
380	380	353 SECTION 52. Section 22 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
381	381	354out in the fourth paragraph in its entirety and inserting in its place the following: -
382	382	355 If the question appears on ballots at a city or town election or appears on ballots for use in
383	383	356a city or town at a state election, such report shall be filed with the city or town clerk as follows:
384	384	357(1) The eighth day preceding a city or town election, and if a town election held on or after
385	385	358November 1 or city election, as a final report, January 31 in the following year complete as to
386	386	359December 31 of the prior year, and all other town elections, as a final report, the thirtieth day
387	387	360following said election;
388	388	361 SECTION 53. Section 22 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by deleting
389	389	362the third sentence from the fifth paragraph in its entirety.
390	390	363 SECTION 54. Said chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after
391	391	364section 22A the following section: -
392	392	365 Section 22B: Persons or corporations making contributions or expenditures to influence
393	393	366town warrant articles; filing reports with clerk; penalties. 19 of 23
394	394	367 (a) Terms used in this section shall be construed as follows unless a contrary intention
395	395	368clearly appears:-
396	396	369 “Article”, subjects to be acted upon at a town meeting as referenced in a warrant.
397	397	370 “Town Meeting”, an annual town meeting or special town meeting called pursuant to
398	398	371chapter 39, section 9.
399	399	372 “Warrant”, the call of a town meeting pursuant to chapter 39, section 10.
400	400	373 (b) Any person, corporation, association, organization or other group of persons, which
401	401	374has given, paid, or expended, or promised to give, pay or expend, any money or other thing of
402	402	375value of $1,000 or more in the aggregate in order to influence or affect an article on a warrant or
403	403	376the vote on any article at a town meeting, shall file reports on a form as prescribed by the
404	404	377director. The form shall include the date each expenditure was made or liability incurred; the
405	405	378purpose of the expenditure or liability; the amount of the expenditure; the full name and address
406	406	379of the person to whom each expenditure was made or liability incurred; the full name and
407	407	380address of the person, corporation, association, organization or the members of other group of
408	408	381persons by whom such expenditure was made or liability incurred; and for each gift, payment or
409	409	382contribution received to make the expenditure or incur the liability (1) the date of receipt; (2) the
410	410	383amount; and (3) the full name and address from whom each gift, payment or contribution was
411	411	384received.
412	412	385 (c) Such reports shall be filed with the town clerk as follows: (i) on the fifth day of each
413	413	386month for any contributions received or expenditures made in the preceding month through the
414	414	387last day of the preceding month; (ii) on the fifth day preceding a town meeting complete as to the 20 of 23
415	415	388seventh day preceding the town meeting; and (iii) as a final report, on the thirtieth day following
416	416	389a town meeting.
417	417	390 (d) This section shall not prohibit any officer, employee or agent of the commonwealth or
418	418	391its subdivisions from acting in their official capacity or private capacity relative to an article on a
419	419	392warrant.
420	420	393 (e) Violation of any provision of this section shall be punished by imprisonment for not
421	421	394more than one year, or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.
422	422	395 SECTION 55. Section 25 of chapter 55, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
423	423	396out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following: -
424	424	397 The director shall retain all statements and reports filed with the office under the
425	425	398provisions of this chapter by candidates and their committees until December 31st of the
426	426	399fifteenth year following the date that the statement or report was filed.
427	427	400 SECTION 56. Section 42 of Chapter 10 of the General Laws, as so appearing in the 2020
428	428	401Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the section in its entirety and inserting in its place
429	429	402the following: -
430	430	403 Section 42: Local Election Early Voting Fund
431	431	404 Section 42. There shall be established on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund
432	432	405to be known as the Local Election Early Voting Fund, consisting of all revenues received under
433	433	406section 6C of chapter 62, and all other monies credited or transferred to the fund from any other
434	434	407fund or source pursuant to law. 21 of 23
435	435	408 The state treasurer shall deposit the fund in accordance with section 34 of chapter 29 in
436	436	409such manner as will secure the highest interest rate available consistent with safety of the fund.
437	437	410 The local election early voting fund shall be expended by the secretary of the
438	438	411commonwealth in the form of grants to local communities for payment of costs related to
439	439	412elections, including, but not limited to, election worker payroll, equipment, voter education,
440	440	413vote-by-mail, early voting, printing, and postage, incurred by the city or town for primary
441	441	414elections, preliminary elections, state elections, local elections, special primary elections, special
442	442	415preliminary elections, special state elections and special local elections.
443	443	416 The amount of each grant shall be calculated by dividing the total number of registered
444	444	417voters in the municipality as of the first day of February of each year by the total number of
445	445	418registered voters in the commonwealth as of the first day of February each year and then
446	446	419multiplying the total funds available in the Fund as of the first day of May each year by the
447	447	420resulting percentage, provided that no city or town shall receive more than three percent of the
448	448	421available funds. The funds may be used by the local election official in the municipality for the
449	449	422costs permitted herein without further appropriation.
450	450	423 The funds shall be disbursed by the thirty-first day of July each year to be expended
451	451	424during that fiscal year. Any funds received will be deducted from funds found by the State
452	452	425Auditor to be due pursuant to the community Local Mandate Law, G.L. c. 29, § 27C.
453	453	426 The secretary of the commonwealth shall promulgate regulations as necessary for the
454	454	427administration of the local election early voting fund.
455	455	428 SECTION 57. Sections 42A, 42B and 42C of said Chapter 10, as appearing, are hereby
456	456	429repealed. 22 of 23
457	457	430 SECTION 58. Section 6C of Chapter 62 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020
458	458	431Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the section in its entirety and inserting in its place
459	459	432the following: -
460	460	433 Section 6C: Massachusetts Local Election Early Voting Fund; voluntary contributions
461	461	434 Section 6C. Every individual who files a separate return may voluntarily contribute one
462	462	435dollar to be paid over to the Local Election Early Voting Fund, established by section forty-two
463	463	436of chapter ten. In the case of a joint return, each spouse may voluntarily contribute one dollar to
464	464	437said fund. A credit in the full amount of any contribution under this section shall be allowed
465	465	438against the tax imposed by this chapter; provided, that for any such return no such credit shall
466	466	439exceed the income tax liability for any taxable year.
467	467	440 A contribution made under this section may be made with respect to any taxable year at
468	468	441the time of filing the return of the tax imposed by this chapter for such taxable year; provided,
469	469	442however, that the commissioner shall prescribe the manner in which such contribution shall be
470	470	443made on the face of the return required by section five of chapter sixty-two C.
471	471	444 The provisions of this section shall apply only to residents required to file a return under
472	472	445this chapter.
473	473	446 For purposes of this section the words ''income tax liability for any taxable year'' shall
474	474	447mean the amount of tax imposed by this chapter reduced by sum of the credits allowed by clause
475	475	448(a) of section six.
476	476	449 SECTION 59. Chapter 55C, as appearing, is hereby repealed in its entirety. 23 of 23
477	477	450 SECTION 60. Any funds remaining in the State Election Campaign Fund established
478	478	451pursuant to Section 42 of Chapter 10 on the effective date of this Act shall be deposited in the
479	479	452Local Election Early Voting Fund.