Substitute House Bill No. 7128 seeks to amend existing campaign finance laws by clarifying the definitions of "contribution" and "expenditure," particularly in relation to online political donation platforms. The bill repeals subsection (b) of section 9-601a and replaces it with new language that outlines what constitutes a contribution, including various exemptions such as loans from banks, volunteer services, and specific food and beverage donations. Key insertions include caps on contributions for food and beverages at $400 for single events and $800 for events hosted by multiple individuals, as well as restrictions on advertising purchases related to fundraising events for certain individuals and entities.

Additionally, the bill modifies the definition of "expenditure" by adding provisions that clarify what qualifies as an expenditure, including communications endorsing unopposed candidates and mailings to specific districts. It also repeals and replaces subsection (b) of section 9-601b, removing previous exceptions while retaining and modifying others to enhance clarity. Notably, the bill allows voluntary payments to online platforms for operational costs to be excluded from the definitions of "contribution" and "expenditure." Furthermore, it mandates that online platforms obtain affirmative consent from contributors for automatically recurring contributions, ensuring that passive actions do not suffice for consent. The bill is effective upon passage and does not impose any fiscal impact on the state or municipalities.