If enacted, this bill would update current statutes by allowing residents to initiate lawsuits in superior court for violations of the prohibition on using public resources to influence elections, a change from the current law which only permits the Attorney General or county attorneys to do so. The bill also stipulates that any penalties collected from these lawsuits must be paid directly to the resident who initiated the suit. Additionally, it modifies the definition of "influence an election" to encompass any presentation of information that lacks impartiality or neutrality, thereby broadening the scope of what constitutes a violation.

The proposed legislation further clarifies that while public resources cannot be used to influence election outcomes, neutral informational pamphlets about bond elections are permissible. It introduces provisions for government-sponsored forums or debates, provided they remain impartial. The bill also sets a minimum civil penalty of $5,000 for violations and mandates the return of misused public funds to the respective governmental entity. Overall, these updates aim to enhance accountability and compliance regarding the use of public resources in elections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-500.14, 11-410, 15-511, 16-192, 35-454, 15-481, 15-491, 15-342