General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5547 seeks to amend existing regulations regarding lobbyist contributions during legislative sessions by repealing and replacing subsection (e) of section 9-610 of the general statutes. The new language introduces definitions for "municipal office" and "municipal officer," specifying that these terms refer to elective offices voted on by the electors of a single town, city, borough, or political subdivision, thereby excluding state senators and representatives. The bill prohibits lobbyists and their associated political committees from making contributions to candidates for municipal offices or judges of probate during regular and special sessions of the General Assembly, thereby expanding the current restrictions that only apply to state-level candidates.

Additionally, the bill modifies subsection (f) of section 9-608, which governs exploratory committees. It requires the treasurer of such committees to file a notice of intent to dissolve within fifteen days of a candidate's declaration of intent to seek nomination or election, with specific provisions for candidates seeking nomination for the General Assembly or state office. The bill also clarifies the handling of surplus funds from exploratory committees, particularly concerning contributions from lobbyists, ensuring compliance with the new restrictions. The proposed changes will take effect on January 1, 2027, and include the insertion of new legal language for clarity while deleting outdated provisions.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-608