Relates to the party committee and constituted committee exemption from contribution and receipt limits for monies received and expenditures made to maintain a permanent headquarters and staff

3 Co-sponsors

• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
• José M. Serrano
• Daniel L. Squadron

BILL NUMBER:S3395

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to the party committee and constituted committee exemption from contribution and receipt limits for monies received and expenditures made to maintain a permanent headquarters and staff

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would limit contributions to a so called "soft money" housekeeping political account to twenty-five thousand ($25,000) dollars. Under current law there is no limit on the amount of money a donor may contribute to such accounts.

Summary of specific provisions

Subdivision 3 of Election law section 14-124 is amended to limit contributions to a party committee to $25,000.

Justification

This bill amends the election law to prohibit unlimited campaign contributions to soft money political committee campaign accounts. Over the years the press has reported on the myriad of activities so called soft money is used to pay for that are not directly related to party building functions as the law was initially intended. This bill will set a limit for the first time in history on how much money can be contributed by any individual donor to soft money accounts to help prevent further abuse.

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.