reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 17-25-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25 - Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting|Section 17-25-22 - Time period for payment of public funds.

§ 17-25-22. Time period for payment of public funds.(a) No public funds shall be dispersed to candidates until after the date of the primary election. In order to receive matching public funds, the candidate must be a candidate for general office who meets all of the requirements set forth in subdivision 17-25-20(6). The candidate must submit to the board of elections proof of receipt of qualifying private contributions and supporting documentation as required by the board. The board of elections shall, within five (5) business days of the receipt of the request for payment of matching funds, either pay over funds to the candidate or disallow all or a portion of the request and state in writing the reasons for the disallowance.(b) A candidate may submit supplemental applications for public funds until the time that the permitted limits are reached.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 420, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 21, § 3; P.L. 2001, ch. 176, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 229, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 230, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-25-24 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25 - Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting|Section 17-25-24 - Additional expenditures.

§ 17-25-24. Additional expenditures.Any candidate eligible to receive public funds and electing to receive these funds whose opponent does not elect to receive public funds shall be permitted to raise additional private contributions and make additional expenditures for election purposes in an amount in excess of the candidate's maximum allowable expenditure limit equal to the amount by which the expenditures of the opponent exceed the maximum allowable expenditure limit that would have applied to the opponent's expenditures had the opponent elected to receive public funds.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 420, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-25-25 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25 - Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting|Section 17-25-25 - Surplus campaign funds.

§ 17-25-25. Surplus campaign funds.Any candidate receiving public funds during any election cycle under the provisions of this chapter shall, within ninety (90) days after the completion of the election cycle, transfer to the general treasurer for deposit in the general fund fifty percent (50%) of any amount of the candidate's total campaign funds unexpended as of the last day of the election cycle. The candidate may convert the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the amount to use for any political purposes not otherwise prohibited by law. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of that amount may not be converted to personal use by the candidate.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 420, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-25-26 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25 - Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting|Section 17-25-26 - Equal apportionment of expenditures for joint advertisements.

§ 17-25-26. Equal apportionment of expenditures for joint advertisements.Any expenditure jointly made by any two (2) or more candidates for any newspaper, radio, or television advertisement primarily benefiting the candidate shall be attributed to and apportioned equally among those candidates who are clearly identified in that advertisement. The apportionments shall constitute campaign expenditures subject to all reporting requirements of this chapter and shall be counted toward any total campaign expenditures limit that may apply to each or any of the candidates.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 420, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-25-27 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25 - Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting|Section 17-25-27 - Post-audit of accounts - Publication.

§ 17-25-27. Post-audit of accounts — Publication.The board may conduct a post-audit of all accounts and transactions for any election cycle and may conduct any other special audits and post-audits that it may deem necessary. The board shall publish a summary of the reports filed by candidates for general office pursuant to the public financing provision of this chapter on or before April 1 of the year following any year in which elections are held for statewide elective office.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 420, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 21, § 3.
RI Gen L § 17-25-29 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25 - Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting|Section 17-25-29 - Appropriations.

§ 17-25-29. Appropriations.In the event the funds generated by the tax credit of § 44-30-2(d) fail to produce sufficient money to meet the requirements of the public financing of the electoral system as set forth in §§ 17-25-19 — 17-25-27, then funds sufficient to meet the levels of the public financing as set forth in this chapter shall be supplied from the general fund of the state treasury. There is appropriated from the general treasury those sums that may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of the public financing of the electoral system, and an amount equal to the total of all maximum amounts of matching public funds available to all party and independent candidates for general office qualifying and electing to receive public funds in an election shall be transferred to the board of elections no later than September 1 of each election year and deposited in a manner that will secure the highest rate of interest available consistent with the safety of the sums and with the requirement that all sums on deposit be available for immediate payment to eligible candidates at any time after the date of the primary election. The state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for transfer of all sums the board deems necessary to comply with this section. There shall also be transferred to the board any additional sums that may be required until the permitted limits are reached. The board shall account for all funds disbursed pursuant to this chapter and transfer upon the conclusion of any election for general office any and all undisbursed sums to the general treasurer for deposit in the general fund by December 1 in any year in which the election is held.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 420, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 21, § 3.
RI Gen L § 17-25-30 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25 - Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting|Section 17-25-30 - Public financing of election campaigns - Compliance benefits.

§ 17-25-30. Public financing of election campaigns — Compliance benefits.Any candidate eligible to receive public funds who complies in full with eligibility criteria for receipt of the funds shall be:(1) Entitled to an additional benefit of free time on community antenna television to be allocated pursuant to rules determined by the administrator for the division of public utilities. During all allocated free time, the candidate shall personally appear and present the message of the advertisement; provided, however, the content of all television time shall include captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing and the content of all radio time must be available in a written or text format at the time of request; and(2) Entitled to an additional benefit of free time on any public broadcasting station operating under the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island PBS foundation pursuant to rules determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). During all allocated free time, the candidate shall personally appear and personally present the message of the advertisement; provided, however, the content of all television time shall include captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing and the content of all radio time must be available in a written or text format at the time of request.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 21, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 223, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 235, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 229, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 230, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 144, art. 7, § 4; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 50.
RI Gen L § 17-25-30.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25 - Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting|Section 17-25-30.1 - Community antenna television - Rules and regulations.

§ 17-25-30.1. Community antenna television — Rules and regulations.The administrator for the division of public utilities for the state of Rhode Island shall formulate rules and regulations concerning the allocation of advertising time to be used by those candidates for public office who are eligible to receive public funds and who comply in full with all eligible criteria for receipt of the funds.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 21, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-25.1-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.1 - Gambling Referenda|Section 17-25.1-1 - Repealed.

§ 17-25.1-1. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 332, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 3, effective June 27, 2006; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 3, effective July 3, 2006.
RI Gen L § 17-25.1-1.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.1 - Gambling Referenda|Section 17-25.1-1.1 - Gambling referenda - Ballot question advocates.

§ 17-25.1-1.1. Gambling referenda — Ballot question advocates.Any "ballot question advocate", as defined in chapter 25.2 of title 17, advocating the passage or defeat of any gambling question shall, in addition to complying with and being subject to the provisions of chapter 25.2 of title 17, include in its reports filed under said chapter the following: (i) the name, address and, if applicable, the place of employment of every person making a contribution or contributions that in the aggregate exceed one thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800) per election cycle to such ballot question advocate; and (ii) whether or not such contributor has any direct or indirect affiliation with any entity or person that operates or owns any type or kind of gambling facility or entity in any jurisdiction and, if so, the name of such facility or entity. "Gambling question" means any referendum that relates to a proposal to institute a casino within the state or to otherwise expand gambling in any form.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 4; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 4.
RI Gen L § 17-25.1-2 - 17-25.1-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.1 - Gambling Referenda|Section 17-25.1-2 - 17-25.1-6 - Repealed.

§ 17-25.1-2 — 17-25.1-6. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 332, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 594, § 3; Repealed by P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 3, effective June 27, 2006; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 3, effective July 3, 2006.
RI Gen L § 17-25.2-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.2 - Ballot Question Advocacy and Reporting|Section 17-25.2-1 - Short title.

§ 17-25.2-1. Short title.This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Rhode Island Ballot Question Advocacy and Reporting Act".History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-25.2-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.2 - Ballot Question Advocacy and Reporting|Section 17-25.2-2 - Declaration of policy.

§ 17-25.2-2. Declaration of policy.It is declared to be in the public interest and to be the policy of the state to foster greater participation in ballot question advocacy in a transparent and open manner and to provide the public with sufficient information regarding the source of contributions received and expenditures made for ballot question advocacy.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-25.2-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.2 - Ballot Question Advocacy and Reporting|Section 17-25.2-4 - No limitations on contributions or expenditures.

§ 17-25.2-4. No limitations on contributions or expenditures.Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to limit the amount of monies contributed to or expended by a ballot-question advocate for the purpose of ballot-question advocacy.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-25.2-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.2 - Ballot Question Advocacy and Reporting|Section 17-25.2-6 - Monies not expended on ballot measure.

§ 17-25.2-6. Monies not expended on ballot measure.(a) At the time of the filing of the final report required by subsection 17-25.2-5(c), any contributions received for ballot question advocacy and remaining with a ballot question advocate that exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) and have not been expended shall be disbursed in one or more of the following four (4) manners:(1) Transferal in whole or in part into another ballot question advocate account which has a purpose related to or consistent with that of the donating ballot question advocate;(2) Donations to or retention by a nonprofit organization recognized under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. § 501, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States as from time to time amended;(3) Donations to the state of Rhode Island; or(4) Refund to the donor.(b) The ballot question advocate must annually report to the board of elections by June 30 of the calendar year any such remaining contributions and shall report distributions of any such remaining contributions within thirty (30) days of such distributions.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-25.2-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.2 - Ballot Question Advocacy and Reporting|Section 17-25.2-7 - Disclosure of true origin of contributions required.

§ 17-25.2-7. Disclosure of true origin of contributions required.(a) No person shall make a contribution to a ballot-question advocate for the purpose of ballot-question advocacy in any name except its own or in any manner for the purpose of disguising the true origin of the contribution.(b) No person shall form or use a corporation or other legal entity to advocate for the approval or defeat of a ballot question with the intent to:(1) Disguise the true origin of the funds; or(2) Evade the reporting requirements of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-25.2-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.2 - Ballot Question Advocacy and Reporting|Section 17-25.2-8 - Duties and powers of the board of elections.

§ 17-25.2-8. Duties and powers of the board of elections.The board of elections is authorized to perform any duties that are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the board of elections is authorized and empowered to undertake all actions set forth in § 17-25-5.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-25.2-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.2 - Ballot Question Advocacy and Reporting|Section 17-25.2-9 - Penalties for violation.

§ 17-25.2-9. Penalties for violation.(a) Whenever the board of elections has reason to believe that a ballot-question advocate willfully and knowingly made a false statement in any report required under this chapter or failed to file any report, or has otherwise violated this chapter, the board of elections may, in addition to all other actions authorized by law, request the attorney general to bring an action in the name of the state of Rhode Island in the superior court against the person signing any such report and/or organization to enjoin them from continuing the violation, or doing any acts in furtherance of the violation, and for any other relief the court deems appropriate. In addition, the court may order the forfeiture of any and all contributions not reported in violation of this chapter.(b) The court may also impose a civil penalty for any violation of this chapter up to but not exceeding three (3) times the amount of:(1) Contributions and/or expenditures made or accepted in violation of this chapter; and/or(2) Contributions or expenditures not reported as required by this chapter.(c) All funds collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the fund established by the state for public information and education regarding the election process.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-25.2-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.2 - Ballot Question Advocacy and Reporting|Section 17-25.2-10 - Severability.

§ 17-25.2-10. Severability.If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof shall for any reason be judged invalid, that judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of the law, but shall be confined in its effect to the provisions or application directly involved in the controversy giving rise to the judgment.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-25.3-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.3 - Independent Expenditures and Electioneering Communications|Section 17-25.3-2 - Optional use of separate campaign-related account by person, business entity or political action committee for independent expenditures, electioneering communications, and covered transfers.

§ 17-25.3-2. Optional use of separate campaign-related account by person, business entity or political action committee for independent expenditures, electioneering communications, and covered transfers.(a) A person, business entity or political action committee may make disbursements for independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered transfers using amounts from a bank account established and controlled by the person, business entity or political action committee to be known as the separate campaign-related account (hereafter in this section referred to as the "account"), which shall be maintained separately from all other accounts of the person, business entity or political action committee and which shall consist exclusively of funds that were paid directly to such account by one or more person, business entity, or political action committee other than the person, business entity, or political action committee that controls the account. A person, business entity, or political action committee shall not make transfers from its general treasury into an account established under this section that such person, business entity, or political action committee controls.(b) Mandatory use of account after establishment. If a person, business entity or political action committee establishes an account under this section, it may not make disbursements for independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered transfers from any source other than amounts from the account.(c) Exclusive use of account for independent expenditures, electioneering communications, and covered transfers. Amounts in the account shall be used exclusively for disbursements by the person, business entity or political action committee for independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered transfers. After such disbursements are made, information with respect to deposits made to the account shall be disclosed in accordance with subsection 17-25.3-1(f).History of Section.P.L. 2012, ch. 446, § 3; P.L. 2013, ch. 501, § 98.
RI Gen L § 17-25.3-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-25.3 - Independent Expenditures and Electioneering Communications|Section 17-25.3-4 - Penalties.

§ 17-25.3-4. Penalties.(a) Any person who willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation.(b) The state board of elections may impose a civil penalty upon any person, business entity, or political action committee who violates the provisions of this chapter in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or up to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the aggregate amount of the independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or covered transfers per violation, whichever is greater.History of Section.P.L. 2012, ch. 446, § 3.
RI Gen L § 17-26-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-26 - Penalties|Section 17-26-1 - Felonies.

§ 17-26-1. Felonies.Every person who is convicted of any offense under this title which has been classified by the general assembly as a felony shall be imprisoned for a term of not more than ten (10) years, or fined not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both, for each offense.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 172, § 26; P.L. 1985, ch. 462, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-26-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-26 - Penalties|Section 17-26-2 - Misdemeanors.

§ 17-26-2. Misdemeanors.Every person who is convicted of any offense under this title which has been classified by the general assembly as a misdemeanor shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year, or fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 201, §1; P.L. 1985, ch. 462, § 2.
RI Gen L § 17-26-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-26 - Penalties|Section 17-26-3 - Petty misdemeanors.

§ 17-26-3. Petty misdemeanors.Every person who is convicted of any offense under this title which has been classified by the general assembly as a petty misdemeanor shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six (6) months, or fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both.History of Section.P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 1.
RI Gen L § 17-27-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 17 - Elections|Chapter 17-27 - Reporting of Political Contributions by State Vendors|Section 17-27-2 - Affidavits required.

§ 17-27-2. Affidavits required.In connection with contracts for goods or services to be provided at a cost of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more between a state vendor and a state agency, whether written or unwritten, the state vendor shall execute, under oath, an affidavit concerning reportable contributions pursuant to chapter 25 of this title. If the state vendor has, within the twenty-four (24) months preceding the date of the contract, contributed an aggregate amount in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within a calendar year to any general officer, any candidate for a general office, any member of the general assembly or candidate for the general assembly, or any political party; the state vendor shall file the affidavit with the board of elections and shall list the name of the general officer, member of the general assembly or candidate or political party, the amount and date of each contribution made during the preceding twenty-four (24) months and the total gross amount, in dollars, of contracts entered into between the state vendor and all state agencies during that period of time.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 249, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 176, § 3; P.L. 2006, ch. 428, § 3; P.L. 2006, ch. 429, § 3.