2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 17 - Elections › Chapter 17-25.2 - Ballot Question Advocacy and Reporting › Section 17-25.2-5. - Reporting by ballot question advocates.

§ 17-25.2-5. Reporting by ballot question advocates.
(a)
Every ballot-question advocate shall file periodic reports signed by an individual responsible for its contents on a form prescribed by the board of elections setting forth the name and address of the ballot-question advocate, including any other name under which the ballot-question advocate conducts ballot-question advocacy, the name and address of the person filing the report; and
(1)
The name, address and, if applicable, the place of employment of each person making a contribution or contributions that in the aggregate exceed one thousand-eight hundred dollars ($1,800) per election cycle to a ballot-question advocate for purposes of ballot question advocacy and the amount contributed by each person or source; provided, however, this information shall be reported only if:
(i)
The contributions received by a ballot-question advocate are solicited in any way, including by written, electronic, or verbal means, by the ballot-question advocate specifically for ballot-question advocacy; or
(ii)
The contributions were specifically designated by the contributor for ballot-question advocacy; or
(iii)
The ballot question advocate knew or had reason to know that the contributor intended or expected that the majority of the contributions be used for ballot question advocacy; and
(2)
The name and address of every person or entity receiving an expenditure for ballot-question advocacy, which in the aggregate exceeds one hundred dollars ($100), the amount of each expenditure for ballot-question advocacy, and the total amount of expenditures for ballot-question advocacy made by the ballot-question advocate as of the last report date; and
(3)
A statement of the position of the ballot-question advocate in support of or opposition to the ballot-question; and
(4)
The names and addresses of all identified members or endorsing organizations, corporations, and/or associations that authorize the ballot-question advocate to represent to the public that they support the positions of the ballot-question advocate; and
(5)
The name and address of at least one of the officers of the ballot question advocate, if any, or one individual that is responsible for the ballot question advocate’s compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(b)
The first report must be filed by a ballot-question advocate for the period beginning when the ballot-question advocate expends a cumulative total that exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000) for ballot-question advocacy and ending the last day of the first full month following such date, to be filed with the board of elections due no later than seven (7) days after the end of the month. A ballot-question advocate must thereafter file calendar month reports with the board of elections due no later than seven (7) days after the end of the month; provided, that in lieu of filing for the last full calendar month preceding the ballot question election, a report must be filed due no later than seven (7) days before the election.
(c)
A ballot-question advocate must file a final report of contributions received and expenditures made for ballot-question advocacy no later than thirty (30) days after the election for the ballot question is held subject to the provisions of § 17-25.2-6. All reports filed with the board of elections must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on the due date.
(d)(1)
The board of elections may, for good cause shown and upon receipt of a written or electronic request, grant a seven (7) day extension for filing a report; provided, however, that the request must be received no later than the date and time upon which the report is due to be filed, and further if the election for the ballot question is to be held less than seven (7) days from the report due date and time, the report must be filed prior to the election date.
(2)
Any ballot-question advocate required to file reports with the board of elections pursuant to this section and who has not filed the report by the required date and time, unless granted an extension by the board, shall be fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
(3)
The board of elections shall send a notice of noncompliance, by certified mail, to the ballot-question advocate who fails to file the reports required by this section. A ballot-question advocate that has been sent a notice of noncompliance and fails to file the required report within seven (7) days of the receipt of the notice shall be fined two dollars ($2.00) per day from the date of the receipt of the notice of noncompliance until the day the report is received by the board of elections. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this section, the board of election shall have the authority to waive late filing fees for good cause shown.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 2.