Substitute Senate Bill No. 1409 seeks to amend Connecticut's municipal campaign finance laws by centralizing the filing of financial disclosures with the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) instead of local town clerks. The bill repeals Sections 9-603 and 9-604, requiring all political committees, including those supporting town committee members and candidates for public office, to submit their statements to SEEC. It introduces new provisions for candidate committee formation, mandating candidates to designate a treasurer and a depository institution for campaign funds, and requires timely filing of committee statements. Additionally, the bill clarifies the conditions under which candidates may be exempt from forming a candidate committee and establishes a notification process for candidates regarding political committees supporting them.

The legislation also revises filing requirements and deadlines, introducing penalties for late submissions, and emphasizes the importance of electronic filing through a web-based program known as eCRIS. Key changes include the deletion of previous local filing requirements and the introduction of new deadlines for electronic submissions. The bill allows SEEC to waive late fees for candidates in municipalities holding elections in 2029 and narrows exemptions for political committees to those aiding municipal candidates or referendum questions. Overall, sSB1409 aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in campaign finance processes in Connecticut.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-603, 9-604, 9-624, 9-675
GOS Joint Favorable: 9-603, 9-604, 9-624, 9-675
File No. 493: 9-603, 9-604, 9-624, 9-675