This bill, HB 175, amends existing laws concerning political expenditures and contributions by introducing new definitions and regulations for coordinated and independent expenditures. It expands the definition of "contribution" to include "coordinated expenditure" and clarifies that a "coordinated expenditure" is distinct from an "independent expenditure." The bill establishes a new maximum expenditure limit for political advocacy committees to enhance transparency and accountability in political financing. It also introduces a framework for defining coordinated expenditures, including the establishment of a "firewall" to prevent information flow between parties involved in political communications, and outlines specific criteria for what constitutes a coordinated expenditure.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing laws on prohibited political contributions by removing previous limits and setting new maximum contribution amounts per election cycle: $15,000 for candidates or candidate committees and $30,000 for political advocacy organizations and other political committees or parties. It repeals RSA 664:4, V, which previously regulated contributions by committees or organizations. The bill aims to regulate the influence of money in politics more effectively and will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 664:2, 664:4