CHAPTER 529
S.P. 662 - L.D. 1882
An Act Concerning Acceptance of Campaign Contributions during Legislative Sessions
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 1 MRSA �1015, sub-�3 is enacted to read:
3. Campaign contributions and solicitations prohibited. The following provisions prohibit certain campaign contributions and solicitation of campaign contributions during a legislative session.
A. As used in this subsection, the terms "employer," "lobbyist" and "lobbyist associate" have the same meanings as in Title 3, section 312-A and the term "contribution" has the same meaning as in Title 21-A, section 1012.
B. The Governor, a member of the Legislature or any constitutional officer or the staff or agent of the Governor, a member of the Legislature or any constitutional officer may not intentionally solicit or accept a contribution from a lobbyist, lobbyist associate or employer during any period of time in which the Legislature is convened before final adjournment. A lobbyist, lobbyist associate or employer may not intentionally give, offer or promise a contribution to the Governor, a member of the Legislature or any constitutional officer or the staff or agent of the Governor, a member of the Legislature or any constitutional officer during any time in which the Legislature is convened before final adjournment. These prohibitions apply to direct and indirect solicitation, acceptance, giving, offering and promising, whether through a political action committee, political committee, political party or otherwise.
C. This subsection does not apply to:
(1) Solicitations or contributions for bona fide social events hosted for nonpartisan, charitable purposes;
(2) Solicitations or contributions relating to a special election to fill a vacancy from the time of announcement of the election until the election; and
(3) Solicitations or contributions after the deadline for filing as a candidate as provided in Title 21-A, section 335.
D. A person who intentionally violates this subsection is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000, payable to the State and recoverable in a civil action.
Effective September 19, 1997, unless otherwise indicated.
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