SENATE REPUBLICANS FAIL TO STRENGTHEN CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS

Sustain veto to prevent increase in penalties for violations

AUGUSTA – Earlier today in a 23-12 vote, Senate Republicans sustained the governor’s veto of a measure to increase penalties for violations of campaign finance law.

“In his veto message, the governor said when we reach the end of the election cycle, those who openly flout our laws should be held accountable. That’s exactly what this bill does,” said Senator John Patrick of Rumford.

The measure increases the penalty for violations of campaign finance reporting within the last 28 days before an election. Any candidate, individual, Political Action Committee, or political committee may face a penalty double the maximum fine for violations 28 day to 14 days before the election, and triple the maximum fine for violations in the final two weeks prior to Election Day.

The Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee unanimously supported the bill, and it was passed unanimously under the hammer in both the Senate and the House.

The bill, LD 1271, “An Act Regarding Penalties for Campaign Finance Reporting Violations and Late Filing by Political Action Committees and Ballot Question Committees,” is now dead.