The bill amends Section 17-25-11 of the Rhode Island General Laws to modify the requirements for campaign contribution and expenditure reporting. The significant change is the insertion of a requirement for all candidates to file reports on the 28th and 7th days before any primary, general, or special election, regardless of whether the primary is contested. This replaces the previous language that mandated such reports only in the event of a contested election. The bill also specifies the content of these reports, including the identification of contributors who donate over $100 within a calendar year and details of expenditures over $100.

Further provisions in the bill include the procedures for dissolving campaign funds post-election, the acceptance of contributions, and the requirement to file reports every 90 days until the campaign fund is dissolved. The bill exempts campaigns with total expenditures under $1,000 from filing requirements, except for the reporting of contributions over $100 from any one source. It also allows for filing extensions, outlines fines for late filings, and grants the board of elections the authority to waive late fees for good cause. The act is effective upon passage, ensuring immediate application of these standardized reporting requirements for campaign finance.

Statutes affected:
5455: 17-25-11