Bill S.86 proposes amendments to the campaign finance reporting requirements for candidates running for State and county offices in Vermont. It mandates that candidates who have not made expenditures or received contributions that would require disclosure must file a report and an affirmative statement with the Secretary of State. The bill also introduces penalties for candidates who fail to file required registrations, reports, or disclosures in a timely manner. Specifically, it amends 17 V.S.A. § 2964 to require these affirmative statements and adds a new section, 17 V.S.A. § 2974, which outlines the penalties for delinquent filings, including a $10 daily penalty for each day a filing is late, capped at $1,000.

Additionally, the bill establishes a process for notifying candidates of their delinquency and allows the Secretary of State to reduce or waive penalties under certain circumstances. It also includes provisions for addressing fraudulent filings and outlines the referral process for complaints regarding improper filings to the Attorney General or appropriate State's Attorney. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 17-2964