The proposed bill, HB 1838-FN, establishes a Voter-Owned Elections Fund and a corresponding Voter-Owned Elections Commission in New Hampshire to provide public financing for candidates running for Executive Council. To support this initiative, the bill introduces a new $1 fee on private passenger vehicle registrations and increases the vanity plate service fee from $60 to $65. Additionally, it redirects certain civil fines for election law violations to the new fund. Registered voters will receive four $25 voter dollar certificates for each general election year, with the bill appropriating $1 for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2025, and June 30, 2027, to support the fund.

The bill outlines specific requirements for candidates seeking public financing, including the collection of a minimum of 500 qualifying contributions and restrictions on private contributions. It also mandates the development of an electronic reporting system for campaign contributions and expenditures, ensuring public accessibility to this data. The commission will oversee the program, conduct audits, and report on campaign finances after each election cycle. New penalties for violations of campaign finance laws are introduced, including civil and criminal penalties, while provisions for adjusting financial limits based on inflation are also included. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and public participation in the electoral process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 5:13, 6:12, 261:141, 263:52, 664:21
HB1838 text: 5:13, 6:12, 261:141, 263:52, 664:21