An Act To
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1541
Committee Amendment CA_A_S263 (Senate)
Amends: 5 MRSA §19, 21-A MRSA §1124

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 491, L.D. 1541, Bill, "An Act To 
Amend the Campaign Finance Laws" 
II 
Amend the bill by inserting after the enacting clause and before section I the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §19, sub-§7, as amended by PL 1991, c. 331, §3, is further 
amended to read: 
7. Disclosure of reportable liabilities. Each executive employee shall include on 
the statement of income under subsection 2 all reportable liabilities incurred while 
employed as an executive employee. The executive employee shall file a supplementary 
statement with the Secretary of State Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election 
Practices of any reportable liability within 30 days after it is incurred. The report must 
identify the creditor in the manner of subsection 2.' 
Amend the bill in section 6 in subsection 3 in paragraph B by striking out all of 
subparagraph (1) (page 5, lines 18 to 30 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'(1) Any news story, commentary or editorial distributed through the facilities of 
any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication, 
unless the facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, political 
committee, candidate or candidate's immediate family; . 
Amend the bill in section 28 in subsection 4 in paragraph B by striking out all of 
subparagraph (1) (page 14, lines 36 to 39 and page 15, lines 1 to 9 in L.D.) and inserting 
the following: 
'( 1) Any news story, commentary or editorial distributed through the facilities of 
any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication, 
unless these facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, political 
committee, candidate or candidate's immediate family;' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 48 the following: 
Page I - IZSLRlOZI(OZ)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
f!t. t::;. 
~. 
COMMIlTEE AMENDMENT" A "to SP. 491, LD. 1541 
'Sec. 49. 21-A MRSA §1124, sub-§2, ~, as enacted by IE 1995, c. 1, § 17, is 
amended to read: 
H. Fines collected under section 1020-A, subsection -4- 4-A and section 1127.' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 53. 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 59 the following: 
'Sec. 60. Legislation. The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election 
Practices is authorized to submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 125th 
Legislature to address the definition of "expenditure" in a campaign for office or by a 
political action committee relating to the production or distribution of a news story made 
by persons not directly connected to the candidate or to the political action committee. 
The commission shaH consider similar provisions in other states and any relevant court 
decisions concerning disclosure of such expenditures.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment strikes 2 provisions that amended the definition of "expenditure" to 
exclude expenses incurred in the production or distribution of a news story through 
various media as long as the media is not owned or controlled by a candidate or political 
action committee or owned or controlled by someone directly connected to the candidate 
or political action committee, and in their place authorizes the Commission on 
Governmental Ethics and Election Practices to submit legislation to address issues in the 
laws governing disclosure of those expenditures in candidate campaigns and by political 
action committees. The amendment also makes 2 technical changes to correct references 
in current law. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 06/02/11 frac 
LD 1541 
LR 2021(02) 
An Act To Amend the Campaign Finance Laws 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" S 2.<6 '3 
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current biennium revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
This legislation increases various maximum penalties imposed by the Commission on Governmental Ethics and 
Election Practices which will increase Other Special Revenue Funds revenue to the Commission. No estimate is made 
of the amount of the increase at this time. 
LR2021 (02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1