This bill amends various sections of Louisiana's campaign finance laws to enhance the regulation of campaign contributions and expenditures. Key changes include the introduction of new definitions for "electioneering communications" and the establishment of reporting requirements for political parties and their legislative delegations. The bill raises the threshold for in-kind contributions and expenditures from $50 to $200, increasing the reporting requirements for smaller contributions. It also modifies deadlines for filing supplemental reports, changing them from February 28 to March 15, and introduces exemptions for media entities broadcasting political announcements without editorial control.

Additionally, the bill clarifies rules surrounding joint fundraising agreements, allowing designated committees to report contributions collectively and maintain surplus campaign funds in a segregated fund for future political activities. It establishes civil penalties for violations related to campaign finance, with penalties set at a maximum of $2,500 for daily infractions and $500 for other violations. The bill aims to streamline the reporting process, improve transparency in campaign financing, and modernize the regulatory framework to better reflect current fundraising practices, with an effective date of January 1, 2027, for the new regulations.

Statutes affected:
SB495 Original: 18:1463(C), 18:1483(3), 18:1483(6), 18:1(A), 18:2(A)(3), 18:5(B)(2), 18:6(D)(1), 18:6(E), 18:6(E)(1), 18:7(B)(4), 18:9(C)(2), 18:3(B)(2), 18:4(C)(1), 18:4(E), 18:4(E)(1), 18:5(B)(5), 18:1(C), 18:3(C), 18:2(B)(2), 18:2(H)(2), 18:2(I)(1), 18:2(I)(2), 18:2(I)(5), 18:2(7), 18:2(K), 18:2(L)(2), 18:2(L)(5), 18:2(M)(5), 18:2(O)(1), 18:1(A)(1), 18:1463(C)(5)
SB495 Engrossed: 18:1463(C), 18:1483(7), 18:1583(21), 18:5(B)(2), 18:6(D)(1), 18:6(E), 18:7(B)(4), 18:3(B)(2), 18:4(D)(1), 18:4(E), 18:5(B)(5), 18:3(C), 18:2(B)(2), 18:2(H)(3), 18:2(I)(1), 18:1(A)(1)
SB495 Reengrossed: 18:1463(C), 18:1483(7), 18:1583(21), 18:5(B)(2), 18:6(D)(1), 18:6(E), 18:7(B)(4), 18:3(B)(2), 18:4(D)(1), 18:4(E), 18:5(B)(5), 18:3(C), 18:2(B)(2), 18:2(H)(3), 18:2(I)(1), 18:1(A)(1)
SB495 Enrolled: 18:1463(C), 18:1483(7), 18:1483(21), 18:5(B)(2), 18:6(D)(1), 18:6(E), 18:7(B)(4), 18:9(C)(2), 18:3(B)(2), 18:4(D)(1), 18:4(E), 18:5(B)(5), 18:3(C), 18:2(B)(2), 18:2(I)(1), 18:1(A)(1), 18:4(A)(2), 18:5(B)(1), 18:7(B)(22)