General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5543 proposes significant revisions to the contribution limits and requirements under the Citizens' Election Program in Connecticut. Key changes include an increase in the qualifying contribution amounts for candidates seeking grants from the Citizens' Election Fund, with gubernatorial candidates now required to secure an aggregate of $288,800 (up from $250,000) and a minimum of $259,900 from in-state contributors. Similar increases apply to candidates for other offices, such as Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General, with their aggregate contributions raised from $75,000 to $86,600, and state senators from $15,000 to $17,300. The bill also introduces new provisions regarding the inclusion of exploratory committee contributions in aggregate calculations and establishes new rounding rules for contribution amounts.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the maximum individual contribution limit, which is set at $250, and outlines a process for future adjustments based on the consumer price index. It mandates that candidate committees return any contributions exceeding $250 and specifies that contributions from at least 150 individuals must be at least $5 to count towards the aggregate total. The legislation also clarifies that contributions from state contractors or individuals under twelve years of age will not qualify and must be returned. The previous legal language regarding adjustments and rounding methods has been deleted and replaced with clearer provisions to ensure that contribution limits remain relevant and transparent over time, with the effective date for these changes set for December 1, 2026.