An Act To Clarify What Constitutes a Contribution to a Candidate
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1631
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: SAVIELLO, ALFOND, LANGLEY, PATRICK, YOUNGBLOOD, FOWLE, KINNEY
Amends: 21-A MRSA §1015

Legislative Document 
No. 1631 
S.P. 622 
In Senate, December 23, 2013 
An Act To Clarify What Constitutes a Contribution to a Candidate 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on December 23, 2013.  Referred to the Committee 
on Veterans and Legal Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed. 
DAREK M. GRANT 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator SAVIELLO of Franklin. 
Cosponsored by Senators: President ALFOND of Cumberland, LANGLEY of Hancock, 
PATRICK of Oxford, YOUNGBLOOD of Penobscot, Representatives: FOWLE of 
Vassalboro, KINNEY of Limington. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day 
period in order to be in place for the next election; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  21-A MRSA §1015, sub-§5-A is enacted to read: 
5-A.  Expenditures by persons affiliated with campaign.  Any expenditure made 
by a person who has been affiliated with a candidate's campaign at any time within 120 
days prior to the expenditure is a contribution to that candidate.  For purposes of this 
subsection, a spouse or domestic partner of the candidate, or a person whom the candidate 
has designated as the candidate's chair, treasurer, deputy treasurer, officer or campaign 
manager or who has received any campaign-related compensation from the candidate's 
campaign for service as an employee or independent contractor, is affiliated with the 
candidate's campaign regardless of that person's actual role in the campaign.  This 
subsection does not apply to an expenditure funded by the candidate's campaign or an 
expenditure to finance a communication that does not clearly identify the candidate or an 
opponent of the candidate.  In an action taken by the commission pursuant to this 
subsection, it is not a defense that the person had no active role in the candidate's 
campaign and was affiliated in name only. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill amends the laws regarding limitations on campaign contributions and 
expenditures to clarify that any expenditure made by a person who has been affiliated 
with a campaign, regardless of whether the person has been paid or the actual duties the 
person has performed, or by a person who has received compensation from the campaign 
is considered a contribution to the candidate.