Raised Bill No. 1409 seeks to amend Connecticut's campaign finance laws by centralizing the filing of financial statements from political entities with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, rather than local town clerks. The bill repeals and replaces Section 9-603, expanding the definition of covered persons to include candidates for public office and town committee members while removing specific references to state offices. It also streamlines the filing process by eliminating the requirement for certain political committees to file with local clerks and introduces a late filing fee for treasurers or candidates who miss deadlines, although the Commission can waive these fees under certain circumstances.

Additionally, the bill modifies Section 9-604 to require candidates to designate a treasurer and a depository institution for their committee's funds, and to file a committee statement within ten days of declaring candidacy. It mandates electronic filing for all financial disclosures and establishes a web-based program for this purpose, while allowing for waivers of the electronic submission requirement under specific conditions. The bill also clarifies the responsibilities of treasurers regarding surplus funds and the dissolution of exploratory committees, ensuring that all financial activities are reported accurately. Overall, Raised Bill No. 1409 aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in campaign finance reporting in Connecticut.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-603, 9-604, 9-624, 9-675