Section 15-112 – Violations
A person who violates this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both for each violation.
Section 15-113 – Civil Penalty for Campaign Finance Violations — Amount — Timing of Payment to State Board by Campaign Finance Entity — Citation of Violations — Right to Stand Trial — Prosecution — Penalty Considerations
(a) In this section, “person” includes a political committee. (b) (1) This subsection applies only to violations committed, as applicable, by: (i) the eligible gubernatorial ticket; (ii) the eligible gubernatorial ticket’s campaign finance entity; (iii) the chairman of the eligible gubernatorial ticket’s campaign finance entity; (iv) the treasurer of the eligible gubernatorial ticket’s campaign finance entity; or (v) a person acting on behalf […]
Section 15-114 – Short Title
This title is the Public Financing Act.
Section 15-101 – Purpose
The General Assembly recognizes that our system of representative government depends in part on guaranteeing that election campaigns are funded by and for the people and on eliminating the corrupting and undemocratic effects of large private contributions. Accordingly, the General Assembly finds and declares that an equitable means of public campaign financing is necessary in […]
Section 15-102 – Definitions
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Comptroller” means the Comptroller of the State. (c) “Contribution card” means a document signed, including by electronic signature, by a donor attesting that the contribution made to a campaign is made with the personal funds of the donor. (d) “Eligible gubernatorial ticket” means a gubernatorial ticket that […]
Section 15-103 – Fair Campaign Financing Fund
(a) There is a Fair Campaign Financing Fund. (b) The Comptroller shall administer the Fund in accordance with this section. (c) In accordance with this title, the Comptroller shall: (1) credit to the Fund: (i) all money collected or appropriated under this title; (ii) voluntary contributions to the Fund made electronically through the State Board’s website; (iii) fees, fines, and penalties assessed […]
Section 15-104 – Campaign Finance Entity for Gubernatorial Candidate — Donations Accepted — Qualifying Level of Donors and Donations
(a) Before receiving a private contribution, a gubernatorial ticket shall: (1) on or before the deadline to file a certificate of candidacy under § 13–303 of this article, file with the State Board a notice of intent to participate as a publicly financed candidate for both the primary and general elections; and (2) establish a campaign finance entity […]
Section 15-105 – Qualifying Period for Gubernatorial Candidates to Collect Required Contributions
(a) For principal political party candidates, the qualifying period is from the first day of the election cycle for a gubernatorial election until the first Monday in May, inclusive, of the election year. (b) For all other participating candidates, the qualifying period to qualify for only the general election is from the first day of the election […]
Section 15-106 – Eligible Gubernatorial Ticket — Prohibited Campaign Finance Activities
(a) After filing a notice of intent to qualify for a public contribution under this title, a gubernatorial ticket or a person acting on behalf of the gubernatorial ticket may not, for the benefit of any political committee or any person required to register with the State Board under § 13–306 or § 13–307 of this […]
Section 15-107 – Public Contributions — Distributions
(a) (1) In accordance with subsection (c) of this section and regulations adopted by the State Board, the State Board shall authorize distribution of money in the Fund on a continuing basis on certification that the qualifications under § 15–104 of this title have been met. (2) Distributions shall begin not earlier than January 1 of the year […]