The bill amends various sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes concerning election campaign finance, specifically the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act. It introduces new provisions for leadership committees, detailing their authorizations and restrictions, and outlines the duties and requirements for different types of committees, including political committees and independent expenditure-only committees. Key changes include raising the threshold for in-kind contributions from twenty-five to fifty dollars, increasing reporting thresholds for candidates and political committees, and establishing new definitions for terms such as "leadership committee" and "joint fundraising agreement." The bill also emphasizes the protection of political speech and transparency in campaign financing while providing exceptions for certain communications by churches and clarifying the nature of independent expenditures.

Additionally, the bill modifies the reporting requirements for political committees, raising the threshold for filing a statement of organization from five hundred to one thousand dollars and mandating that all committees, except leadership committees, report specific candidate information for expenditures. It also introduces stricter guidelines for contributions, including a prohibition on cash contributions exceeding two hundred dollars in a calendar year and a cap on contributions to leadership and political committees. The bill enhances the authority of the supervisory committee, requiring it to publish advisory opinions and submit annual reports, while imposing stricter penalties for non-compliance. Overall, the bill aims to improve transparency and accountability in campaign finance, ensuring adherence to established regulations.

Statutes affected:
HB693 Original: 9:154(A)(18), 18:1486(C)(1), 18:2(N), 18:3(B)
HB693 Engrossed: 18:1483(15), 18:6(C), 18:1(C), 18:2(H)(1), 18:1(A), 9:154(A)(18), 18:1486(C)(1), 18:2(N), 18:3(B)
HB693 Reengrossed: 18:1483(15), 18:6(C), 18:4(C), 18:1(C), 18:2(H)(1), 18:1(A), 9:154(A)(18), 18:1486(C)(1), 18:2(N), 18:3(B)
HB693 Enrolled: 18:1483(15), 18:6(C), 18:4(C), 18:1(C), 18:2(H)(1), 18:1(A), 9:154(A)(18), 18:1486(C)(1), 18:2(N), 18:3(B)
HB693 Act : 18:1483(15), 18:6(C), 18:4(C), 18:1(C), 18:2(H)(1), 18:1(A), 9:154(A)(18), 18:1486(C)(1), 18:2(N), 18:3(B)