The proposed General Assembly Committee Bill No. 603 seeks to amend the management and distribution of surplus funds from candidate committees involved in the Citizens' Election Program. The bill repeals subsection (e) of section 9-608 and introduces new provisions that allow candidate committees to distribute surplus funds to various entities, including party committees, political committees for ongoing activities, the Citizens' Election Fund, and charitable organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, it permits participating candidates to allocate up to $5,000 to a local charity serving their represented area, with any remaining surplus directed to the Citizens' Election Fund. For nonparticipating candidates, surplus funds can only be distributed to the Citizens' Election Fund or charitable organizations.

Additionally, the bill establishes a timeline for the distribution of surplus funds, requiring action within 90 to 120 days following elections or referenda. It mandates that treasurers file supplemental statements within seven days of any distribution or expenditure of surplus funds, detailing the status of any deficits and changes exceeding $500. The bill also stipulates that no surplus may be distributed or expended until after an election, primary, or referendum, and outlines that if a committee has neither surplus nor deficit, the final required statement must be filed within 45 days post-election. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025, with the amendments clearly marked in the text.