An Act to Update the Campaign Finance Laws
Sponsored By: Craig V. Hickman (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.
Clean election candidates get May deadline
Beginning April 3, 2026, the law sets a specific qualifying deadline for some Maine Clean Election Act candidates. It covers State Senate and State House candidates who file their declaration of intent after January 15, 2026. Their qualifying period ends at 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2026.
Party committees must detail campaign spending
Beginning April 3, 2026, Maine party committees must itemize all spending intended to influence a campaign. Reports must name the candidate or ballot measure, plus the candidate's office and district when applicable. Each entry must include the spending date, amount, purpose, and whether it supports or opposes the candidate or measure. Reports must also list each payee's name and address.
Ballot committees get clearer coverage rules
Beginning April 3, 2026, party committees are excluded from the definition of a ballot question committee. Political action committees are excluded only when they are not required to register under the specified ballot-committee registration rule. Other people or committees are covered when contributions or spending total more than $5,000 to start or influence a noncandidate campaign. Party committees, exempt donors, and political action committees do not need separate ballot-committee registration under the referenced registration subsection.
Higher late reporting thresholds for candidates
Beginning April 3, 2026, candidates with a ballot opponent or declared write-in opponent must report covered transactions within 48 hours. The general single-transaction trigger rises from $1,000 to $10,000. Office-specific triggers are $5,000 for State Senate, $2,500 for county office, and $1,500 for State House or municipal office. Transactions must occur after the 14th day before an election and more than 48 hours before election-day 11:59 p.m. Specified overhead and regular campaign-staff costs already disclosed in earlier reports are excluded.
Higher late reporting thresholds for committees
Beginning April 3, 2026, covered committees must report single contributions of at least $10,000 and single expenditures of at least $2,500. These triggers rise from $5,000 and $1,000, respectively; reports remain due within 24 hours. For state party committees and committees required to file 11 days before an election, the late-reporting window starts after the 14th day before the election and ends more than 24 hours before election-day 5:00 p.m. A separate general- or special-election rule uses the same starting point but ends more than 24 hours before election-day 11:59 p.m. Specified overhead and regular campaign-staff costs already disclosed in earlier reports are excluded.
Independent spenders face higher reporting triggers
Beginning April 3, 2026, people, party committees, and political action committees must report independent spending exceeding $1,000 during one candidate's election. The previous trigger was $250, and reports follow the election commission's schedule. Reports must itemize contributions by contributor and each expenditure over $1,000, including its date, purpose, and payee. They must state whether spending supports or opposes the candidate and disclose cooperation, requests, or suggestions from the candidate or authorized committee. Municipal-election reports go to the municipal clerk.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Craig V. Hickman
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 600
4/3/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.
3/25/2026SenateThis being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/24/2026HouseCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-542).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/19/2026HouseCOMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-542)Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
3/18/2026SenateReport READ and ACCEPTED.Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-542) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
3/17/2026SenateReceived by the Secretary of the Senate on December 3, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2
12/3/2025Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-542), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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