An Act Regarding Campaign Finance Disclosure
Sponsored By: Craig V. Hickman (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Stronger enforcement for late campaign reports
The law tightens deadlines and penalties for late or missing campaign finance reports. Staff send a first notice within 3 business days after a deadline and a second notice if a report is still missing after 10 days. After two notices, not filing can be a Class E crime and may be referred to the Attorney General. Civil penalties can be up to the greater of $10,000 or the amount not reported. Filers have 14 days to ask the commission for a decision and can appear, send a representative, or submit a sworn statement. Final decisions can be appealed to Superior Court. The law also removes certain subsections and a paragraph to align procedures with these rules.
Donor privacy and tougher penalties
Contributor information from campaign reports cannot be sold, shared for marketing, or used for unrelated commercial solicitations. Violations can lead to fines up to $5,000, and knowing violations are a Class E crime. Using someone else’s name to give a contribution can trigger a civil penalty up to 500% of the contribution amount.
Simpler filings for no-money local races
A county or municipal candidate can file an online or written form saying they will not take or spend campaign money. If true, they do not need a treasurer or to file finance reports. In an uncontested legislative primary, a candidate can make a similar notice through 35 days after the primary and skip a treasurer and reports for that primary.
Campaign debt and recordkeeping clarifications
Campaign funds can be used to repay loans or other debts from campaign activity. Committee treasurers must keep statements for the campaign account, as required by law.
New rules for town and city campaigns
State campaign finance rules now cover municipal elections in towns and cities with 15,000+ people, with filings made to the municipal clerk. In smaller towns, ballot‑question spending over $5,000 must be reported to the state electronically, and registered committees must share copies with local clerks. Towns under 15,000 can vote to opt in or out of state rules at least 90 days before an election. Municipal records must be kept for 8 years. Signature‑gathering to qualify ballot measures now counts as initiating a campaign. Committees must be registered to operate in Maine.
Stronger rules for online political ads
Paid online promotions now count as public communications and must follow disclosure rules. Candidate and committee websites that name or back a candidate must show who paid and whether the candidate authorized it during these windows: 28 days before a primary, 35 days before a special election, and Labor Day through Election Day. PAC and ballot‑question ads must identify the payer; ballot communications over $500, including certain digital messages that link to advocacy, must show who paid (calls need only a name). Small items where text would be unreadable can be exempt, and bona fide polls and a candidate’s own prerecorded voice calls have limited exclusions.
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 224
6/10/2025PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
6/3/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/3/2025HouseCONSENT 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-219).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/2/2025HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-219) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-219).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
6/2/2025SenateCARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
3/21/2025SenateReceived by the Secretary of the Senate on January 6, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2
1/8/2025Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-219), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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