Substitute Senate Bill No. 1168 seeks to modernize and clarify the regulations surrounding political contributions and expenditures, particularly in the context of online fundraising. The bill repeals subsection (b) of section 9-601a and introduces new definitions and exemptions for what constitutes a "contribution," specifying that contributions do not include loans from banks, nonpartisan voter registration efforts, volunteer services, and certain donations of food or property. It also establishes monetary limits on contributions for single events and over a calendar year. Additionally, the bill restricts lobbyists and state contractors from purchasing advertising space at fundraising events to prevent conflicts of interest, emphasizing transparency and accountability in political fundraising.

The bill further amends the definition of "expenditure" by clarifying that endorsements made by unopposed candidates do not count as expenditures if the endorsed candidate pays for the communication. It also introduces an exemption for voluntary payments made to online platforms that facilitate contributions, provided these payments are used for operational costs and are separate from actual contributions. The bill mandates that online platforms must obtain affirmative consent from contributors for automatically recurring contributions, ensuring that passive actions do not suffice for consent. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the integrity of political fundraising while accommodating evolving digital practices, and it is effective upon passage without fiscal impact on the state or municipalities.