2007 Legislation
Print Friendly

SENATE BILL NO. 1037 – Idaho Fair Elections Act

SENATE BILL NO. 1037

View Bill Status

View Bill Text

View Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



Text to be added within a bill has been marked with Bold and
Underline. Text to be removed has been marked with
Strikethrough and Italic. How these codes are actually displayed will
vary based on the browser software you are using.

This sentence is marked with bold and underline to show added text.

This sentence is marked with strikethrough and italic, indicating
text to be removed.

Bill Status



S1037........by STENNETT, LANGHORST, KELLY, BURKETT, MALEPEAI, WERK, BILYEU
IDAHO FAIR ELECTIONS ACT - Adds to and amends existing law to enact the
"Idaho Fair Elections Act."
                                                                        
01/19    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to printing
01/22    Rpt prt - to St Aff

Bill Text


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-ninth Legislature                   First Regular Session - 2007
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                       IN THE SENATE
                                                                        
                                    SENATE BILL NO. 1037
                                                                        
               BY STENNETT, LANGHORST, KELLY, BURKETT, MALEPEAI, WERK, BILYEU
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM; AMENDING  TITLE  34,  IDAHO
  3        CODE,  BY  THE ADDITION OF A NEW CHAPTER 26, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, TO PRO-
  4        VIDE A SHORT TITLE, TO STATE FINDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE  CONCERNING  CAM-
  5        PAIGN  FINANCE REFORM, TO DEFINE TERMS, TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE CAMPAIGN
  6        FINANCING OPTION, TO CREATE THE IDAHO FAIR ELECTIONS ACT  TRUST  FUND  AND
  7        SPECIFY  SOURCES  OF FUNDING, TO SPECIFY THE TERMS OF PARTICIPATION IN THE
  8        IDAHO FAIR ELECTIONS ACT CANDIDATE PROCESS, TO GOVERN  THE  ADMINISTRATION
  9        OF  THE  IDAHO  FAIR ELECTIONS ACT, TO PROVIDE VIOLATIONS AND TO REQUIRE A
 10        STUDY REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; AMENDING  CHAPTER  32,  TITLE  31,  IDAHO
 11        CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 31-3201H, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE AN
 12        ADDITIONAL  PENALTY  ON  ANY  CIVIL PENALTY FOR PURPOSES OF THE IDAHO FAIR
 13        ELECTIONS ACT TRUST FUND; AMENDING SECTION 67-6607, IDAHO CODE, TO  CHANGE
 14        THE  ALLOWABLE  CONTRIBUTION  TO  CANDIDATES AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORREC-
 15        TIONS; AMENDING SECTION 67-6625, IDAHO CODE, TO INCREASE FINES FOR  VIOLA-
 16        TION  OF  CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION REPORTING PROVISIONS, TO DEDICATE RECEIPTS
 17        TO THE IDAHO FAIR ELECTIONS ACT TRUST FUND AND TO MAKE  TECHNICAL  CORREC-
 18        TIONS;  AMENDING  SECTION  67-6625A,  IDAHO CODE, TO INCREASE THE FINE FOR
 19        LATE FILING OF REPORTS, TO DEDICATE RECEIPTS TO THE IDAHO  FAIR  ELECTIONS
 20        ACT  TRUST  FUND  AND  TO  MAKE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION; AMENDING TITLE 67,
 21        IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW CHAPTER 79, TITLE 67, IDAHO CODE,  TO
 22        CREATE THE COMMISSION ON FAIR ELECTION PRACTICES, TO DEFINE TERMS, TO PRO-
 23        VIDE  THE  POWERS  AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION ON FAIR ELECTION PRACTICES
 24        AND TO PROVIDE THE SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THE COMMISSION; PROVIDING  SEVER-
 25        ABILITY; PROVIDING LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS
 26        ACT; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, REFERENCING EFFECTIVE DATES INCORPORATED
 27        IN SECTIONS OF LAW AND PROVIDING A SUNSET DATE.
                                                                        
 28    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 29        SECTION  1.  That Title 34, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended
 30    by the addition thereto of a NEW CHAPTER, to be known and designated as  Chap-
 31    ter 26, Title 34, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:
                                                                        
 32                                      CHAPTER 26
 33                               IDAHO FAIR ELECTIONS ACT
                                                                        
 34        34-2601.  SHORT  TITLE.  This chapter may be known and cited as the "Idaho
 35    Fair Elections Act."
                                                                        
 36        34-2602.  PURPOSE OF ACT. The people who serve their  fellow  citizens  in
 37    government  hold a deep and sacred trust which traces its origins to the prin-
 38    ciples on which the United States of America  and  the  state  of  Idaho  were
 39    founded.
 40        (1)  The  legislature  of  the  state of Idaho finds and declares that the
 41    current system of privately financed campaigns for election to  statewide  and
                                                                        
                                       2
                                                                        
  1    legislative office undermines democracy in the following principal ways:
  2        (a)  It  violates  the  principle of "one person, one vote" and diminishes
  3        the meaning of the right to vote by allowing large contributions to have a
  4        deleterious influence on the political process.
  5        (b)  It violates the rights of all citizens to equal and  meaningful  par-
  6        ticipation in the democratic process.
  7        (c)  It  diminishes the free speech rights of nonwealthy voters and candi-
  8        dates whose voices are drowned out by those who can afford  to  monopolize
  9        the arena of paid political communications.
 10        (d)  It  undermines  the first amendment right of voters and candidates to
 11        be heard in the political process; it undermines the first amendment right
 12        of voters to hear all candidates' speeches; and  it  undermines  the  core
 13        first amendment value of open and robust debate in the political process.
 14        (e)  It  fuels  the  public perception of corruption and undermines public
 15        confidence in the democratic process and democratic institutions.
 16        (f)  It diminishes elected officials' accountability to their constituents
 17        by compelling them to be disproportionately accountable to the major  con-
 18        tributors who finance their election campaigns.
 19        (g)  It creates a danger of actual corruption by encouraging elected offi-
 20        cials  to  take money from private interests that are directly affected by
 21        governmental action.
 22        (h)  It costs taxpayers millions of dollars for the legislative and  regu-
 23        latory  decisions  made  by  elected officials on behalf of major campaign
 24        contributors.
 25        (i)  It drives up the cost of election campaigns, making it difficult  for
 26        qualified  candidates  without  access  to  large contributors or personal
 27        fortunes to mount competitive campaigns.
 28        (j)  It disadvantages challengers,  because  large  campaign  contributors
 29        tend  to give their money to incumbents, thus causing elections to be less
 30        competitive.
 31        (k)  It inhibits communication with the electorate by  candidates  without
 32        access to large sums of campaign money.
 33        (l)  It  burdens  candidates  with the incessant rigors of fundraising and
 34        thus decreases the time available to carry out their public  responsibili-
 35        ties.
 36        (2)  The legislature of the state of Idaho finds and declares that provid-
 37    ing  a voluntary campaign finance system for all primary and general elections
 38    would enhance democracy in the following principal ways:
 39        (a)  It would help eliminate the deleterious influence of large  contribu-
 40        tions  on the political process, remove access to wealth as a major deter-
 41        minant of a citizen's influence within the political process, and  restore
 42        meaning to the principle of "one person, one vote."
 43        (b)  It  would  help restore the rights of all citizens to equal and mean-
 44        ingful participation in the democratic process.
 45        (c)  It would restore the free speech rights of nonwealthy candidates  and
 46        voters by providing candidates with the equal resources with which to com-
 47        municate with voters.
 48        (d)  It  would help restore the first amendment right of voters and candi-
 49        dates to be heard in the political process;  it  would  help  restore  the
 50        first  amendment  right of voters to hear all candidates' speeches; and it
 51        would help restore the core first  amendment  value  of  open  and  robust
 52        debate in the political process.
 53        (e)  It  would diminish the public perception of corruption and strengthen
 54        public confidence in the democratic process and democratic institutions.
 55        (f)  It would increase the accountability of elected officials to the con-
                                                                        
                                       3
                                                                        
  1        stituents who elect them.
  2        (g)  It would eliminate the danger of actual corruption caused by the pri-
  3        vate financing of the election campaigns of public officials, thus restor-
  4        ing public confidence in the fairness of  the  electoral  and  legislative
  5        processes.
  6        (h)  It  would save taxpayers millions of dollars now wasted due to legis-
  7        lative and regulatory decisions made on behalf of major campaign contribu-
  8        tors.
  9        (i)  It would halt and reverse the escalating cost of elections.
 10        (j)  It would create a more level playing field for challengers and incum-
 11        bents, create genuine opportunities for qualified residents  of  Idaho  to
 12        run  for  statewide  or  legislative office and encourage more competitive
 13        elections.
 14        (k)  It would facilitate communication with the electorate by  candidates,
 15        regardless of their access to large sums of campaign money.
 16        (l)  It  would free candidates from the incessant rigors of raising money,
 17        and allow them more time to carry out their official duties.
 18        (3)  The legislature of the state of Idaho further finds and declares that
 19    unique factual circumstances in Idaho require that the provisions of this cam-
 20    paign finance reform act  are  designed  to  create  a  rough  proportionality
 21    between the benefits and restrictions that apply to participating candidates.
                                                                        
 22        34-2603.  DEFINITIONS. As used in this chapter:
 23        (1)  "Certified  candidate"  means a candidate in Idaho running for state-
 24    wide office, state senator or state representative who chooses to  participate
 25    in  the  Idaho  fair elections act and who has met the requirements in section
 26    34-2606, Idaho Code, to become a certified candidate.
 27        (2)  "Commission" means the commission on fair election  practices  within
 28    the  office  of  the  secretary  of state established by chapter 79, title 67,
 29    Idaho Code.
 30        (3)  "Contribution" means the same as in the definition of  "contribution"
 31    in section 67-6602, Idaho Code.
 32        (4)  "Nonparticipating  candidate" means a candidate running for statewide
 33    office, state senator or state representative who does not choose to  partici-
 34    pate in the Idaho fair elections act and who is not seeking to be certified as
 35    an Idaho fair elections act candidate under section 34-2606, Idaho Code.
 36        (5)  "Participating  candidate"  means  a  candidate running for statewide
 37    office, state senator or state representative who is seeking to  be  certified
 38    as an Idaho fair elections act candidate under section 34-2606, Idaho Code.
 39        (6)  "Qualifying contribution" means a donation:
 40        (a)  Of  five  dollars ($5.00) in the form of a check, money order or cash
 41        (if accompanied by a receipt with the name and address of the  contributor
 42        and  signed  by the contributor) payable to the trust fund in support of a
 43        candidate;
 44        (b)  Made by a qualified elector within the state of  Idaho  and,  in  the
 45        case  of a candidate for state senator or state representative, within the
 46        legislative district of the candidate;
 47        (c)  Made during the qualifying period and obtained with the knowledge and
 48        approval of the participating candidate; and
 49        (d)  That is acknowledged by a written receipt that provides the name  and
 50        address of the donor on forms provided by the commission.
 51        (7)  "Qualifying period" means:
 52        (a)  For  a  participating  candidate  for statewide office the qualifying
 53        period begins November 1 immediately preceding the election year and  ends
 54        at 5:00 p.m. on the tenth Friday preceding the primary election;
                                                                        
                                       4
                                                                        
  1        (b)  For  a participating candidate for state senator or state representa-
  2        tive, the qualifying period begins on January 1 of the election  year  and
  3        ends at 5:00 p.m. on the tenth Friday preceding the primary election.
  4        (8)  "Seed  money  contribution" means a contribution of not more than one
  5    hundred dollars ($100) per individual made to  a  candidate,  including  every
  6    contribution  from the candidate or the candidate's family. To be eligible for
  7    certification, a candidate may collect and spend only seed money contributions
  8    subsequent to becoming a participating candidate as defined  in  this  chapter
  9    and  throughout  the  qualifying  period. A candidate may not collect or spend
 10    seed money contributions after certification as an Idaho  fair  elections  act
 11    candidate.  The  primary  purpose  of a seed money contribution is to enable a
 12    participating candidate to collect qualifying contributions. A seed money con-
 13    tribution must be reported according to the procedures developed by  the  com-
 14    mission.
 15        (9)  "Statewide office" means the office of governor, lieutenant governor,
 16    secretary  of  state,  attorney general, state treasurer, state controller and
 17    state superintendent of public instruction.
 18        (10) "Trust fund" means the Idaho fair elections  act  trust  fund  estab-
 19    lished in section 34-2605, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 20        34-2604.  ALTERNATIVE  CAMPAIGN FINANCING OPTION. This chapter establishes
 21    a voluntary alternative campaign financing option available to candidates run-
 22    ning for statewide office, state senator or state representative. This  alter-
 23    native  campaign  financing option is available to candidates for elections to
 24    be held beginning in the year 2008, if the commission  determines  that  there
 25    are  sufficient funds in the trust fund to provide a reasonable level of fund-
 26    ing for the anticipated number of candidates who may qualify to run under this
 27    chapter. If sufficient funds exist in the trust fund to  provide  funding  for
 28    the anticipated number of candidates who may qualify to run under this chapter
 29    for  some,  but not all, offices covered by this chapter, the commission shall
 30    determine which offices shall receive the funding that year  and  which  shall
 31    wait  until  subsequent election years, based on the following priority: Idaho
 32    state house of representatives, all seats;  Idaho  state  senate,  all  seats;
 33    lieutenant  governor;  governor;  attorney  general; secretary of state; state
 34    superintendent of public instruction; state controller; state treasurer.
 35        The commission shall administer this chapter and the  trust  fund.  Candi-
 36    dates  participating  in  this  chapter must also comply with all election and
 37    campaign laws and regulations.
                                                                        
 38        34-2605.  IDAHO FAIR ELECTIONS ACT TRUST FUND ESTABLISHED  --  SOURCES  OF
 39    FUNDING. (1) The Idaho fair elections act trust fund is established to finance
 40    the  election  campaigns of certified candidates running for statewide office,
 41    state senator or state representative and to pay administrative  and  enforce-
 42    ment costs of the commission related to this chapter. The trust fund is a spe-
 43    cial,  nonlapsing  fund and any interest generated by the fund shall be  cred-
 44    ited to the fund. The commission shall administer the trust fund. The  commis-
 45    sion  shall keep a record of all moneys deposited in the trust fund that shall
 46    indicate the source from which the moneys are derived, the interest earned and
 47    the activity or program against which any withdrawal is charged.
 48        (2)  The following must be deposited into the trust fund:
 49        (a)  The qualifying contributions required under  section  34-2606,  Idaho
 50        Code, and any excess qualifying contributions when those contributions are
 51        submitted to the office;
 52        (b)  Seed money contributions collected pursuant to section 34-2606, Idaho
 53        Code,  remaining  unspent  after a candidate has become a certified candi-
                                                                        
                                       5
                                                                        
  1        date;
  2        (c)  Trust fund revenues which were distributed to an Idaho fair elections
  3        act candidate and which remain unspent after the candidate has lost a pri-
  4        mary election or after all general elections;
  5        (d)  Other unspent funds distributed to any Idaho fair elections act  can-
  6        didate  who  does  not  remain a candidate throughout a primary or general
  7        election cycle;
  8        (e)  Voluntary donations made directly to the trust fund;
  9        (f)  Fines collected under sections 34-2608, 67-6625 and  67-6625A,  Idaho
 10        Code;
 11        (g)  Revenue  from a surcharge on civil assessments in the district courts
 12        of Idaho pursuant to section 31-3201H, Idaho Code; and
 13        (h)  Any other funds as designated by the legislature.
 14        (3)  By October 1 preceding each election year, the commission shall  pub-
 15    lish  an  estimate of the revenue in the trust fund available for distribution
 16    to the certified candidates during the upcoming  year's  election,  and  shall
 17    state  whether  some or all of the offices shall be covered by this chapter as
 18    provided in section 34-2604, Idaho Code.
 19        (4)  All moneys placed in the trust fund are hereby perpetually  appropri-
 20    ated  to  the secretary of state for administration and allocation as provided
 21    in this chapter. All expenditures from the trust fund shall  be  paid  out  in
 22    warrants  drawn  by  the state controller upon presentation of proper vouchers
 23    from the secretary of state. The provisions of  section  67-3516(3)  and  (4),
 24    Idaho  Code,  are hereby specifically declared not to apply to the administra-
 25    tion of the trust fund.
                                                                        
 26        34-2606.  TERMS OF PARTICIPATION. (1) A participating candidate must  file
 27    a  declaration  of intent to seek certification as an Idaho fair elections act
 28    candidate and comply with the requirements of this chapter. The declaration of
 29    intent must be filed with the commission prior to  or  during  the  qualifying
 30    period,  except  as  provided in subsection (14) of this section, according to
 31    forms and procedures developed by the commission.  A  participating  candidate
 32    must  submit  a declaration of intent prior to collecting qualifying contribu-
 33    tions under this chapter.
 34        (2)  Subsequent to becoming a candidate as  defined  in  section  67-6602,
 35    Idaho  Code,  and  prior  to  certification, a participating candidate may not
 36    accept contributions, except for seed  money  contributions.  A  participating
 37    candidate  must  limit  the  candidate's total seed money contributions to the
 38    following amounts:
 39        (a)  Fifty thousand  dollars  ($50,000)  for  a  candidate  for  statewide
 40        office;
 41        (b)  One thousand dollars ($1,000) for a candidate for state senator;
 42        (c)  One  thousand  dollars ($1,000) for a candidate for state representa-
 43        tive.
 44    The commission may, by rule, revise these amounts to ensure  effective  imple-
 45    mentation of this chapter.
 46        (3)  Participating  candidates must obtain qualifying contributions during
 47    the qualifying period as follows:
 48        (a)  For a candidate for governor  at  least  two  thousand  five  hundred
 49        (2,500)  qualified  electors of the state of Idaho must support the candi-
 50        dacy by providing a qualifying contribution to that candidate;
 51        (b)  For a candidate for all other statewide offices at least one thousand
 52        five hundred (1,500) qualified electors of the state of Idaho must support
 53        the candidacy by providing a qualifying contribution to that candidate;
 54        (c)  For a candidate for state senate or state house of representatives at
                                                                        
                                       6
                                                                        
  1        least one hundred fifty (150) qualified electors from the candidate's leg-
  2        islative district must support the candidacy  by  providing  a  qualifying
  3        contribution to that candidate.
  4    A  payment, gift or anything of value may not be given, or caused to be given,
  5    in exchange for a qualifying contribution.
  6        (4)  A participating candidate must submit qualifying contributions to the
  7    commission during the qualifying period according to procedures  developed  by
  8    the commission, except as provided in subsection (14) of this section.
  9        (5)  Upon  receipt  of  a final submittal of qualifying contributions by a
 10    participating candidate, the commission shall determine  whether  or  not  the
 11    candidate has:
 12        (a)  Signed and filed a declaration of intent to participate in this chap-
 13        ter;
 14        (b)  Submitted the appropriate number of valid qualifying contributions;
 15        (c)  Met  the  requirements  to  become a candidate under section 67-6602,
 16        Idaho Code;
 17        (d)  Not accepted contributions, except for seed money contributions,  and
 18        otherwise complied with seed money restrictions; and
 19        (e)  Otherwise met the requirements for certification in this chapter.
 20    The  commission  shall  certify a candidate complying with the requirements of
 21    this section as an Idaho fair elections act candidate as soon as possible  and
 22    no later than three (3) business days after the candidate's final submittal of
 23    qualifying contributions.
 24        Upon  certification, a certified candidate must transfer to the trust fund
 25    any unspent seed money contributions. A certified candidate must  comply  with
 26    all  requirements  of this chapter after certification and throughout the pri-
 27    mary and general election cycles. Failure to do so  is  a  violation  of  this
 28    chapter.
 29        (6)  After certification, a certified candidate must limit the candidate's
 30    campaign  expenditures  and obligations, including outstanding obligations, to
 31    the revenues distributed to the candidate from the  trust  fund  and  may  not
 32    accept any contributions unless specifically authorized by the commission. All
 33    revenues  distributed to certified candidates from the trust fund must be used
 34    for  campaign  related  purposes.  The  commission  shall  publish  guidelines
 35    outlining permissible campaign related expenditures.
 36        (7)  The commission shall distribute to certified candidates revenues from
 37    the trust fund in amounts determined under subsection (8) of this  section  in
 38    the following manner:
 39        (a)  Within  three  (3)  business days after certification, for candidates
 40        certified prior to the tenth Friday before the primary election,  revenues
 41        from  the  trust  fund must be distributed as if the candidates were in an
 42        uncontested primary election.
 43        (b)  Within three (3) business days after the tenth Friday before the pri-
 44        mary election, for primary election certified  candidates,  revenues  from
 45        the  trust  fund must be distributed according to whether the candidate is
 46        in a contested or uncontested primary election and reduced by any  amounts
 47        previously distributed under subsection (7)(a) of this section.
 48        (c)  Within  three  (3) business days after the primary election, for gen-
 49        eral  election certified candidates, revenues from the trust fund must  be
 50        distributed  according  to  whether or not the candidate is in a contested
 51        general election. Funds may not be  distributed  for  uncontested  general
 52        elections.
 53    Funds  may  be  distributed  to certified candidates under this section by any
 54    mechanism that is  expeditious,  ensures  accountability  and  safeguards  the
 55    integrity of the trust fund.
                                                                        
                                       7
                                                                        
  1        (8)  Each  year prior to the election year, the commission shall determine
  2    the amount of funds from the trust fund to  be  distributed  to  participating
  3    candidates based on the type of election and office and the historical cost to
  4    run  a competitive race for that office. The following shall guide the commis-
  5    sion:
  6        (a)  For contested primary elections, the amount of revenues  to  be  dis-
  7        tributed may be the average amount of campaign expenditures made by candi-
  8        dates  for  that  office  during  contested primary election races for the
  9        immediately preceding two (2) contested primary elections.
 10        (b)  For uncontested primary elections, the amount of revenues distributed
 11        is the average amount of campaign expenditures made by each candidate  for
 12        that  office  during  all  uncontested primary election races, or for con-
 13        tested races if that amount is lower, for the  immediately  preceding  two
 14        (2) primary elections.
 15        (c)  For  contested  general elections, the amount of revenues distributed
 16        is the average amount of campaign expenditures made by each candidate  for
 17        that  office  during  all contested general election races for the immedi-
 18        ately preceding two (2) contested general elections.
 19        (d)  Revenues may not be distributed for uncontested general elections.
 20        If the commission determines that there is insufficient  current  data  on
 21    the cost to run a campaign for a particular office based on previous contested
 22    elections  for  that office, the commission may use discretion to determine an
 23    appropriate amount. For the initial computations under this section  that  are
 24    conducted  in 2008, the commission may reduce the amounts to be distributed by
 25    its estimate of fundraising costs which a certified candidate would  not  have
 26    incurred.
 27        (9)  When  any campaign finance or election report shows that the sum of a
 28    candidate's expenditures or obligations, or funds raised or  borrowed,  which-
 29    ever  is greater, reported under section 67-6607, Idaho Code, exceeds the dis-
 30    tribution amount under subsection (8) of this section,  the  commission  shall
 31    immediately  issue  to  any  opposing certified candidate an additional amount
 32    equivalent to the reported excess. Matching funds are limited to two (2) times
 33    the amount originally distributed under subsection (8)(a) or  (8)(c)  of  this
 34    section, whichever is applicable.
 35        (10) A  candidate  running  as  an  independent candidate certified by the
 36    tenth Friday preceding the primary election is eligible for revenues from  the
 37    trust  fund in the same amounts and at the same time as an uncontested primary
 38    election candidate and a general election candidate as  specified  in  subsec-
 39    tions (7) and (8) of this section.
 40        (11) The  commission  shall  establish, by rule, procedures for qualifica-
 41    tion, certification, disbursements  of  trust  fund  revenues  and  return  of
 42    unspent  trust fund revenues for races involving special elections, vacancies,
 43    withdrawals or replacement candidates.
 44        (12) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, participating and  certi-
 45    fied  candidates  shall report all money collected, all campaign expenditures,
 46    obligations and related activities to the commission according  to  procedures
 47    developed  by  the  commission.  Upon  the  filing of a report of expenditures
 48    under section 67-6607, Idaho Code, thirty (30) days after the primary election
 49    in which the candidate was defeated and for  all  other  certified  candidates
 50    thirty  (30)  days  after the general election, all certified candidates shall
 51    return all unspent trust fund revenues to the commission. In developing  these
 52    procedures,  the  commission  shall utilize existing campaign reporting proce-
 53    dures whenever practicable.
 54        (13) The commission may not distribute revenues to certified candidates in
 55    excess of the total amount of money deposited in the trust fund established in
                                                                        
                                       8
                                                                        
  1    section 34-2605, Idaho Code. Notwithstanding  any  other  provisions  of  this
  2    chapter,  if the commission determines that the revenues in the trust fund are
  3    insufficient to meet distributions under subsection (7) or (8)  of  this  sec-
  4    tion,  the commission may permit certified candidates to accept and spend con-
  5    tributions, reduced by any seed money contributions, aggregating no more  than
  6    five  hundred  dollars ($500) per donor per election for candidates for state-
  7    wide office, and two hundred dollars ($200) per donor per election for  candi-
  8    dates  for  the  state  senate  and  state house of representatives, up to the
  9    applicable amounts set forth in  subsections  (7)  and  (8)  of  this  section
 10    according to the rules adopted by the commission.
 11        (14) A  candidate who has been denied certification as an Idaho fair elec-
 12    tions act certified candidate or the opponent of  a  candidate  who  has  been
 13    granted  certification  as an Idaho fair elections act certified candidate may
 14    challenge a certification decision by the commission as follows:
 15        (a)  A challenger may appeal to the full commission within three (3) busi-
 16        ness days of the certification decision. The appeal must be in writing and
 17        must set forth the reasons for the appeal.
 18        (b)  Within five (5) business days after an appeal is properly made  by  a
 19        challenger  and after notice is given to the challenger and each and every
 20        opponent for the seat or office affected,  the  commission  shall  hold  a
 21        hearing.  The  challenger  has  the burden of providing evidence to demon-
 22        strate that the commission decision was improper. The commission must rule
 23        on the appeal within three (3) business days after the completion  of  the
 24        hearing.
 25        (c)  A  challenger may appeal the decision of the commission rendered pur-
 26        suant to paragraph (b) of this subsection by commencing an action in  dis-
 27        trict court.
 28        (d)  A  candidate  whose  certification by the commission as an Idaho fair
 29        elections act certified candidate is revoked on appeal must return to  the
 30        commission  any  unspent  revenues distributed from the trust fund. If the
 31        commission or court finds that an appeal was made frivolously or to  cause
 32        delay  or  hardship, the commission or court may require the challenger or
 33        appellant to pay costs and attorney's fees of the  commission,  court  and
 34        opposing parties, if any.
                                                                        
 35        34-2607.  ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHAPTER. The commission, within the office
 36    of  the Idaho secretary of state, shall adopt rules to ensure effective admin-
 37    istration of this chapter in the manner provided  in  chapter  52,  title  67,
 38    Idaho  Code.  These rules must include, but must not be limited to, procedures
 39    for obtaining qualifying contributions, certification as an Idaho  fair  elec-
 40    tions  act  candidate,  circumstances  involving special elections, vacancies,
 41    withdrawals or replacements, collection of revenues for the trust  fund,  dis-
 42    tribution  of  trust  fund revenues to certified candidates, return of unspent
 43    trust fund disbursements and compliance with the Idaho fair elections act.
                                                                        
 44        34-2608.  VIOLATIONS. (1) In addition to any other penalties that  may  be
 45    applicable,  a person who violates any provision of this chapter is subject to
 46    a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars  ($10,000)  per  violation,
 47    payable  to  the trust fund. This penalty is recoverable in a civil action. In
 48    addition to any fine, for good cause shown, a candidate found in violation  of
 49    this  chapter may be required to return to the trust fund all amounts distrib-
 50    uted to the candidate from the trust fund plus  interest.  If  the  commission
 51    makes  a determination that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the com-
 52    mission shall assess a fine or transmit the finding to  the  attorney  general
 53    for  prosecution. Fines paid under this section must be deposited in the trust
                                                                        
                                       9
                                                                        
  1    fund. In determining whether or not a candidate is in violation of the  expen-
  2    diture  limits  of  this  chapter, the commission may consider as a mitigating
  3    factor any circumstances out of the candidate's control.
  4        (2)  A person who willfully or knowingly violates  this  chapter,  or  any
  5    rules of the commission, or who willfully or knowingly makes a false statement
  6    in  any report required by this chapter, commits a felony and, if certified as
  7    an Idaho fair elections act candidate, must  return  to  the  trust  fund  all
  8    amounts distributed by the trust fund to the candidate.
                                                                        
  9        34-2609.  STUDY  REPORT.  By  January  30,  2010, and every four (4) years
 10    thereafter, the commission shall prepare for the  Idaho  state  legislature  a
 11    report  documenting,  evaluating  and  making  recommendations relating to the
 12    administration, implementation, funding and  enforcement  of  the  Idaho  fair
 13    elections act and the Idaho fair elections act trust fund.
                                                                        
 14        SECTION  2.  That  Chapter  32,  Title 31, Idaho Code, be, and the same is
 15    hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and  des-
 16    ignated as Section 31-3201H, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:
                                                                        
 17        31-3201H.  ADDITIONAL  PENALTIES.  (1)  In  addition  to any other penalty
 18    assessment provided by law, a penalty assessment shall be levied in an  amount
 19    of  ten  percent  (10%) on every fine, penalty and forfeiture imposed and col-
 20    lected by the courts for any civil penalty imposed and collected for  a  civil
 21    traffic violation and fine, penalty or forfeiture for a violation of the motor
 22    vehicle  statutes,  for any local ordinance relating to the stopping, standing
 23    or operation of a vehicle or for a violation of the fish and game statutes  in
 24    title 36, Idaho Code.
 25        (2)  If  any deposit of bail, bond or deposit for an alleged civil traffic
 26    violation is to be made for a violation, the court shall require a  sufficient
 27    amount  to  include  the  assessment  prescribed in this section for forfeited
 28    bail, bond or deposit. If bail, bond or deposit is forfeited, the court  shall
 29    transmit  the amount of the assessment pursuant to subsection (5) of this sec-
 30    tion. If bail, bond or deposit is returned, the assessment  made  pursuant  to
 31    this section shall also be returned.
 32        (3)  After  addition  of  the penalty assessment, the courts may round the
 33    total amount due to the nearest one-quarter (1/4) dollar.
 34        (4)  The judge may waive all or part of the civil penalty,  fine,  forfei-
 35    ture  and  penalty assessment, except for mandatory civil penalties and fines,
 36    the payment of which would work a hardship on the persons convicted or adjudi-
 37    cated or on their immediate families.  If a fine or civil  penalty  is  manda-
 38    tory,  the  judge  may  waive only all or part of the penalty assessments pre-
 39    scribed in subsection (1) of this section. If a fine or civil penalty  is  not
 40    mandatory  and if a portion of the civil penalty, fine, forfeiture and penalty
 41    assessment is waived or suspended,    the  amount  assessed  must  be  divided
 42    according to the proportion that the civil penalty, fine, bail or bond, or the
 43    penalty assessment represents of the total amount due.
 44        (5)  After a determination by the court of the amount due, the court shall
 45    transmit, on the last day of each month, the assessments collected pursuant to
 46    subsections  (1) and (2) of this section and a remittance report of the fines,
 47    civil penalties and assessments collected pursuant to subsections (1) and  (2)
 48    of  this section to the county treasurer, except that the magistrates division
 49    of the district court shall transmit the assessments and the remittance report
 50    of the fines, civil penalties and assessments to the city treasurer.
 51        (6)  The appropriate authorities specified in subsection (5) of this  sec-
 52    tion  shall  transmit  the  ten percent (10%) penalty assessment prescribed in
                                                                        
                                       10
                                                                        
  1    subsection (1) of this section and the remittance report as required  in  sub-
  2    section  (5) of this section to the state treasurer on or before the fifteenth
  3    day of each month for deposit in the  Idaho  fair  elections  act  trust  fund
  4    established in section 34-2605, Idaho Code.
  5        (7)  Partial payments of the amount due shall be transmitted as prescribed
  6    in  subsections  (5) and (6) of this section and shall be divided according to
  7    the proportion that the civil penalty, fine, bail or bond, or penalty  assess-
  8    ment represents of the total amount due.
                                                                        
  9        SECTION  3.  That  Section 67-6607, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 10    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 11        67-6607.  REPORTS OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND  EXPENDITURES.  (a)  The  political
 12    treasurer  for  each  candidate  and the political treasurer of each political
 13    committee shall file with the secretary of state:
 14        (1)  Not more than fourteen (14) days and not less  than  seven  (7)  days
 15        before  the date of a primary election in which the candidate or political
 16        committee is involved, a statement of all contributions received  and  all
 17        expenditures  or  encumbrances  made  by  or on behalf of the candidate or
 18        political committee prior to the fifteenth day before the   primary  elec-
 19        tion;
 20        (2)  Not  more  than thirty (30) days after the date of a primary election
 21        in which a candidate or a political committee is involved, a statement  of
 22        all contributions received and all expenditures or encumbrances made by or
 23        on  behalf  of  the  candidate  or political committee to cover the period
 24        since the fifteenth day before the primary election to and  including  the
 25        tenth day after the primary election;
 26        (3)  For  all  political  committees  supporting  or  opposing measures, a
 27        statement of all contributions received and  all  expenditures  or  encum-
 28        brances made by or on behalf of the measure or any candidate or made by or
 29        against the measure or any candidate shall be filed on the same dates pro-
 30        vided in paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (5) and (6) of this subsection;
 31        (4)  Not later than October 10 immediately preceding a general election in
 32        which the candidate or political committee is involved, a statement of all
 33        contributions  received and all expenditures or encumbrances made by or on
 34        behalf of the candidate or political committee  since  and  including  the
 35        eleventh  day  after the date of the primary election and to and including
 36        September 30;
 37        (5)  Not more than fourteen (14) days and not less  than  seven  (7)  days
 38        before  the date of a general election in which the candidate or political
 39        committee is involved, a statement of all contributions received  and  all
 40        expenditures  or  encumbrances  made  by  or on behalf of the candidate or
 41        political committee since and including October 1 and to  and    including
 42        the  sixteenth day before the general election, together with a cumulative
 43        statement showing all such contributions and expenditures or  encumbrances
 44        to and including the sixteenth day before the general election; and
 45        (6)  Not  more  than thirty (30) days after the date of a general election
 46        in which the candidate or political committee is involved, a statement  of
 47        all contributions received and all expenditures or encumbrances made by or
 48        on  behalf  of  the  candidate  or political committee to cover the period
 49        since the fifteenth day before the general election to and  including  the
 50        tenth day after the general election.
 51        (b)  For  the  first  report under this section the reporting period shall
 52    cover the period beginning with the first contribution, expenditure, or encum-
 53    brance.
                                                                        
                                       11
                                                                        
  1        (c)  Notwithstanding any other reports required under  this  section,  the
  2    political  treasurer for each candidate and any political committee supporting
  3    or opposing a measure shall notify the secretary of state, in writing, of  any
  4    individual  contribution  of  one  thousand  five hundred dollars ($1,0500) or
  5    more, or multiple contributions aggregating one thousand dollars  ($1,000)  or
  6    more,  received by the political treasurer after the sixteenth day before, but
  7    more than forty-eight (48) hours before, any primary or general election. This
  8    notification shall be made within forty-eight (48) hours after the receipt  of
  9    such  contribution and shall include the name of the candidate or measure, the
 10    identification of the contributor, the total amount received in  contributions
 11    since  the  end  of the previous reporting period, and the date of receipt and
 12    amount of the contribution. The notification  shall  be  in  addition  to  the
 13    reporting of these contributions in the post election postelection report.
 14        (d)  For  all  reports  required pursuant to this section the secretary of
 15    state shall accept the date of a postmark as the date of  receipt  except  for
 16    the  seven  (7) day pre-election preelection reports which must be received by
 17    no later than 5:00 p.m. on the seventh day preceding the  primary  or  general
 18    election and except for the reports required in subsection (c) of this section
 19    which must be received within forty-eight (48) hours after receipt of the con-
 20    tribution or aggregate contributions.
 21        (e)  Any reports required to be filed under the provisions of this section
 22    may  also be filed by means of an electronic facsimile transmission machine or
 23    by other electronic means in a format approved by the secretary of state.
                                                                        
 24        SECTION 4.  That Section 67-6625, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 25    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 26        67-6625.   VIOLATIONS  -- CIVIL FINE -- MISDEMEANOR PENALTY -- PROSECUTION
 27    -- LIMITATION -- VENUE.  (a) Any person who violates the provisions of section
 28    67-6603 through 67-6614A,  67-6617,  67-6619,  67-6620,  67-6621(a),  67-6624,
 29    67-6629 or 67-6630, Idaho Code, shall be liable for a civil fine not to exceed
 30    two  hundred  fifty  one thousand dollars ($251,000) if an individual, and not
 31    more than two ten thousand five hundred   dollars  ($2,510,000)  if  a  person
 32    other  than  an individual. The burden of proof for such civil liability shall
 33    be met by showing a preponderance of the evidence. All fines collected  pursu-
 34    ant  to  this section shall be deposited in the Idaho fair elections act trust
 35    fund established in section 34-2605, Idaho Code.
 36        (b)  Any person who violates section 67-6605 or  67-6621(b),  Idaho  Code,
 37    and  any  person  who knowingly and willfully violates section 67-6603 through
 38    67-6614A, 67-6617, 67-6619, 67-6620, 67-6621(a), 67-6624, 67-6629 or  67-6630,
 39    Idaho  Code,  is guilty of  a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, in addition to
 40    the fines set forth in subsection (a) of this section, may be  imprisoned  for
 41    not more than six (6) months or be both fined and imprisoned.
 42        (c)  The  attorney  general  or  the  appropriate prosecuting attorney may
 43    prosecute any violations of this act chapter.
 44        (d)  Prosecution for violation of  this  act  chapter  must  be  commenced
 45    within two (2) years after the date on which the violation occurred.
 46        (e)  Venue  for  prosecution under the provisions of this chapter shall be
 47    in the county of residence of the defendant if the defendant is a resident  of
 48    the state of Idaho, otherwise venue shall be in Ada county.
                                                                        
 49        SECTION  5.  That Section 67-6625A, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 50    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 51        67-6625A.  LATE FILING OF STATEMENT OR REPORT -- FEES. If any person fails
                                                                        
                                       12
                                                                        
  1    to file a report or statement on or before a specified date, he shall be  lia-
  2    ble  in  an  amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) per day after the deadline until
  3    the statement or report is filed, to the secretary of state. For statements or
  4    reports filed more than seven (7) days after the deadline, this  amount  shall
  5    increase  to  one  hundred  dollars ($100) per day beginning on the eighth day
  6    after the deadline until the statement or report is filed. Liability need  not
  7    be  enforced  by the secretary of state if on an impartial basis he determines
  8    that the late filing was not willful and that  enforcement  of  the  liability
  9    will  not  further  the  purposes of the act chapter, except that no liability
 10    shall be waived if a statement or report is not filed  within  five  (5)  days
 11    after receiving written notice of the filing requirement from the secretary of
 12    state.
 13        The remedy provided in this section is cumulative and does not exclude any
 14    other remedy or penalty prescribed in section 67-6625, Idaho Code. All amounts
 15    collected  pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Idaho fair elec-
 16    tions act trust fund established in section 34-2605, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 17        SECTION 6.  That Title 67, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby  amended
 18    by  the addition thereto of a NEW CHAPTER, to be known and designated as Chap-
 19    ter 79, Title 67, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:
                                                                        
 20                                      CHAPTER 79
 21                        COMMISSION ON FAIR ELECTION PRACTICES
                                                                        
 22        67-7901.  COMMISSION ON FAIR ELECTION PRACTICES CREATED. There  is  hereby
 23    created  and  established  in  the office of the secretary of state the "Idaho
 24    Commission on Fair Election Practices." Members of  the  commission  shall  be
 25    appointed as follows:
 26        (1)  By  May  1,  2008,  and  as needed after that date, the governor, the
 27    president of the senate, and the leaders of the minority party in the  senate,
 28    the  speaker  of  the house of representatives and the leaders of the minority
 29    party in the house of representatives shall jointly establish  and  publish  a
 30    nomination  period  during which the members of the public may nominate quali-
 31    fied individuals to the governor for appointment to the commission.  The  ini-
 32    tial nomination period must close by September 1, 2008.
 33        (2)  The governor shall appoint the members of the commission, taking into
 34    consideration  nominations  made  during the nomination period. The commission
 35    shall be composed of seven (7) Idaho registered voters who support  the  Idaho
 36    fair elections act. At least one (1) member of the committee shall be a member
 37    of  each  political  party receiving at least ten percent (10%) of the vote in
 38    any statewide election in the previous general election. No  more  than  three
 39    (3) members of the commission shall be members of any one (1) political party.
 40    No  more  than  three  (3) members of the commission shall be residents of the
 41    same county.
 42        (3)  The terms of the commission will be staggered so that the first  term
 43    of  three  (3) commissioners shall expire on December 31, 2009; the first term
 44    of two (2) commissioners shall expire on December 31, 2010; and the first term
 45    of two (2) commissioners shall expire on December 31, 2011.
 46        (4)  Except as set forth in subsection (3) of this section,  the  term  of
 47    office  shall be three (3) years and no commissioner shall serve for more than
 48    two (2) consecutive terms. The commissioners shall elect a chairman for a term
 49    of one (1) year.
 50        (5)  Except as set forth in subsection (3) of this section,  the  term  of
 51    office shall commence on January 1 and expire on December 31.
 52        (6)  Vacancies  shall be filled as terms expire. Each of the commissioners
                                                                        
                                       13
                                                                        
  1    shall hold office until his or her successor has been appointed and qualified.
  2        (7)  A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum
  3    for the transaction of all business and the carrying out of the duties of  the
  4    commission. Before entering on the discharge of their duties as members of the
  5    commission,  each  member  shall take and subscribe to the oath of office pre-
  6    scribed for state officers.
  7        (8)  Each member of the commission shall be  compensated  as  provided  by
  8    section 59-509(d), Idaho Code.
  9        (9)  Members of the commission may be removed by the governor for substan-
 10    tial  neglect  of duty, gross misconduct in office, inability to discharge the
 11    powers and duties of office or violation of this section, after written notice
 12    and opportunity for a response.
                                                                        
 13        67-7902.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter, the following terms shall have the
 14    following meanings:
 15        (1)  "Commission" means the Idaho commission on fair election practices.
 16        (2)  "Trust fund" means the Idaho fair elections  act  trust  fund  estab-
 17    lished in section 34-2605, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 18        67-7903.  POWERS  AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION ON FAIR ELECTION PRACTICES.
 19    The commission shall have the following powers and duties:
 20        (1)  The commission shall administer the Idaho fair  elections  act  trust
 21    fund.
 22        (2)  The  commission  shall adopt rules to ensure effective administration
 23    of this chapter. The rules must include, but must not be  limited  to,  proce-
 24    dures  for  obtaining  qualifying  contributions,  certification of candidates
 25    under the Idaho fair elections act, circumstances involving special elections,
 26    vacancies, withdrawals or replacement, collection of revenues  for  the  trust
 27    fund, distribution of trust fund revenues in a timely manner to certified can-
 28    didates,  return  of  unspent trust fund disbursements and compliance with the
 29    Idaho fair elections act.
 30        (3)  By January 30, 2010, and every four (4) years after  that  date,  the
 31    commission  shall prepare for the legislature a report documenting, evaluating
 32    and making recommendations relating  to  the  administration,  implementation,
 33    funding  and  enforcement  of  the Idaho fair elections act and the Idaho fair
 34    elections act trust fund.
 35        (4)  By September 1 preceding each election  year,  the  commission  shall
 36    publish  an  estimate of the revenue in the fund available for distribution to
 37    the certified candidates during the upcoming year's election, and shall  state
 38    whether  some  or  all of the offices shall be covered by the Idaho fair elec-
 39    tions act pursuant to section 34-2604, Idaho Code.
 40        (5)  The commission may, by rule, revise the limits of seed money  contri-
 41    butions  in section 34-2606, Idaho Code, to ensure effective implementation of
 42    the Idaho fair elections act.
 43        (6)  Upon receipt of a final submittal of qualifying  contributions  by  a
 44    participating  candidate,  the  commission  shall determine whether or not the
 45    candidate has:
 46        (a)  Signed and filed a declaration of intent to participate in the  Idaho
 47        fair elections act;
 48        (b)  Submitted the appropriate number of valid qualifying contributions;
 49        (c)  Qualified as a candidate by petition or other means;
 50        (d)  Not  accepted contributions, except for seed money contributions, and
 51        otherwise complied with seed money restrictions; and
 52        (e)  Otherwise met the requirements for participation in  the  Idaho  fair
 53        elections act.
                                                                        
                                       14
                                                                        
  1        (7)  The  commission shall certify a candidate complying with the require-
  2    ments of this section as an Idaho fair elections act candidate as soon as pos-
  3    sible and no later than three (3) business days after final submittal of qual-
  4    ifying contributions.
  5        (8)  The commission shall publish guidelines  outlining  permissible  cam-
  6    paign related expenditures.
  7        (9)  The commission shall distribute to certified candidates revenues from
  8    the trust fund in amounts determined under section 34-2606, Idaho Code.
  9        (10) The  commission  shall work with the secretary of state to ensure the
 10    timely public access to campaign finance data, including storing and  dissemi-
 11    nation of information.
 12        (11) The commission shall hear contests over eligibility for funding under
 13    chapter 26, title 34, Idaho Code.
 14        (12) The  commission shall adopt any other rules necessary for administra-
 15    tion of this chapter and the Idaho fair elections act, chapter 26,  title  34,
 16    Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 17        67-7904.  FUNDING.  The funding for the expenses of administering the com-
 18    mission shall be from the Idaho fair elections act trust fund plus  any  addi-
 19    tional funds appropriated by the legislature.
                                                                        
 20        SECTION  7.  SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this act are hereby declared
 21    to be severable and if any provision of this act or the  application  of  such
 22    provision  to  any  person or circumstance is declared invalid for any reason,
 23    such declaration shall not affect the validity of the  remaining  portions  of
 24    this act.
                                                                        
 25        SECTION  8.  The  provisions  of this act are to be liberally construed to
 26    effectuate the policies and purposes of this act. In  the  event  of  conflict
 27    between  the  provisions of this act and any other act, the provisions of this
 28    act shall govern.
                                                                        
 29        SECTION 9.  This act shall be in full force and effect on and after Decem-
 30    ber 1, 2007, unless the context of a  section  specifically  provides  another
 31    effective  date; and Section 2 of this act shall be null, void and of no force
 32    and effect on and after January 1, 2019.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



                       STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

                            RS 16705

This legislation amends Title 34 of Idaho Code to provide for an
alternative, voluntary method of financing electoral campaigns.



                          FISCAL IMPACT

There is minimal to no impact to the general fund. A trust
fund is created for financing the costs of public campaigns, and
sources of dedicated funds are specified.

                                   
Contact
Name: Sen. David Langhorst     332-1352
      Sen. Kate Kelly
      Sen. Clint Stennett
      Sen. Mike Burkett
      Sen. Edgar Malepeai
      Sen. Diane Bilyeu
      Sen. Elliot Werk
     

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                        S 1037