This bill amends various sections of the Alaska campaign finance law, specifically focusing on the use of campaign contributions and the reporting requirements for candidates and groups. It allows campaign contributions to be used for civil penalties assessed against candidates or groups, as well as for expenses related to election campaign activities. A new provision prohibits candidates or groups from using these contributions to pay civil penalties if a court finds that they intentionally caused or participated in the violation leading to the penalty. Additionally, the bill introduces stricter reporting requirements, mandating that the Alaska Public Offices Commission notify individuals who fail to file required reports and maintain a public list of delinquent filers.

The bill also modifies the rules regarding the distribution of unused campaign contributions after elections. It allows candidates to make donations to political parties, the state's general fund, and charitable organizations, among other uses. Notably, it repeals a previous provision related to transferring unused contributions to a municipal office account and introduces a new rule that permits candidates to file incomplete reports under certain conditions, provided they commit to submitting the missing information within a specified timeframe. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in campaign finance while providing clearer guidelines for the use of campaign funds.

Statutes affected:
SB0229A, AM SB 229, introduced 01/28/2026: 15.13.112, 15.13.116, 15.13.078, 15.13.110, 15.13.380, 15.13.040, 15.13.390, 15.13.050, 15.13.060, 15.13.074