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S.B. 55 Enrolled

             1     

ELECTION REFORM

             2     
2006 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: L. Alma Mansell

             5     
House Sponsor: Brad L. Dee

             6      Cosponsor:Scott D. McCoy              7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies the Election Code to provide the option to file a pledge of fair
             11      campaign practices and to establish criminal penalties related to issuing false
             12      information or improper contributions during campaigns.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    provides that each candidate for public office in the state be presented with a pledge
             16      of fair campaign practices;
             17          .    provides that a candidate may voluntarily elect to sign and file the pledge;
             18          .    provides that the pledge is a public document and shall be maintained by the filing
             19      officer for a defined period after the election ends;
             20          .    requires political action committees and political issues committees to file a yearly
             21      statement of organization;
             22          .    requires political action committees and political issues committees to designate and
             23      disclose the names of two officers having primary decision-making authority;
             24          .    requires a political action committee or political issues committee to notify the
             25      lieutenant governor of a change in a primary officer;
             26          .    provides a criminal penalty for:
             27              .    providing false information on a statement of organization for a political action
             28      committee or political issues committee or on a notice of change of officer; or
             29              .    accepting a contribution from certain business entities that have failed to


             30      register with the lieutenant governor's office; and
             31          .    requires business entities that are created just before a general election to file a
             32      statement of organization with the lieutenant governor's office before making
             33      political contributions.
             34      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             35          None
             36      Other Special Clauses:
             37          None
             38      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             39      AMENDS:
             40          20A-9-201, as last amended by Chapter 140, Laws of Utah 2003
             41          20A-9-203, as last amended by Chapter 209, Laws of Utah 2004
             42          20A-11-601, as enacted by Chapter 1, Laws of Utah 1995
             43          20A-11-801, as last amended by Chapter 355, Laws of Utah 1997
             44      ENACTS:
             45          20A-9-205, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             46          20A-11-704, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47     
             48      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             49          Section 1. Section 20A-9-201 is amended to read:
             50           20A-9-201. Declarations of candidacy -- Candidacy for more than one office or of
             51      more than one political party prohibited with exceptions -- General filing and form
             52      requirements.
             53          (1) Before filing a declaration of candidacy for election to any office, a person shall:
             54          (a) be a United States citizen; and
             55          (b) meet the legal requirements of that office.
             56          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), a person may not:
             57          (i) file a declaration of candidacy for, or be a candidate for, more than one office in


             58      Utah during any election year; or
             59          (ii) appear on the ballot as the candidate of more than one political party.
             60          (b) A person may file a declaration of candidacy for, or be a candidate for, President or
             61      Vice President of the United States and another office, if the person resigns the person's
             62      candidacy for the other office after the person is officially nominated for President or Vice
             63      President of the United States.
             64          (3) If the final date established for filing a declaration of candidacy is a Saturday or
             65      Sunday, the filing time shall be extended until 5 p.m. on the following [Monday] business day.
             66          (4) (a) (i) Except for presidential candidates, before the filing officer may accept any
             67      declaration of candidacy, the filing officer shall:
             68          (A) read to the prospective candidate the constitutional and statutory qualification
             69      requirements for the office that the candidate is seeking; and
             70          (B) require the candidate to state whether or not the candidate meets those
             71      requirements.
             72          (ii) Before accepting a declaration of candidacy for the office of county attorney, the
             73      county clerk shall ensure that the person filing that declaration of candidacy is:
             74          (A) a United States citizen;
             75          (B) an attorney licensed to practice law in Utah who is an active member in good
             76      standing of the Utah State Bar;
             77          (C) a registered voter in the county in which he is seeking office; and
             78          (D) a current resident of the county in which he is seeking office and either has been a
             79      resident of that county for at least one year or was appointed and is currently serving as county
             80      attorney and became a resident of the county within 30 days after appointment to the office.
             81          (iii) Before accepting a declaration of candidacy for the office of district attorney, the
             82      county clerk shall ensure that, as of the date of the election, the person filing that declaration of
             83      candidacy is:
             84          (A) a United States citizen;
             85          (B) an attorney licensed to practice law in Utah who is an active member in good


             86      standing of the Utah State Bar;
             87          (C) a registered voter in the prosecution district in which he is seeking office; and
             88          (D) a current resident of the prosecution district in which he is seeking office and either
             89      will have been a resident of that prosecution district for at least one year as of the date of the
             90      election or was appointed and is currently serving as district attorney and became a resident of
             91      the prosecution district within 30 days after receiving appointment to the office.
             92          (iv) Before accepting a declaration of candidacy for the office of county sheriff, the
             93      county clerk shall ensure that the person filing the declaration of candidacy:
             94          (A) as of the date of filing:
             95          (I) is a United States citizen;
             96          (II) is a registered voter in the county in which the person seeks office;
             97          (III) (Aa) has successfully met the standards and training requirements established for
             98      law enforcement officers under Title 53, Chapter 6, Part 2, Peace Officer Training and
             99      Certification Act; or
             100          (Bb) has passed a certification examination as provided in Section 53-6-206 ; and
             101          (IV) is qualified to be certified as a law enforcement officer, as defined in Section
             102      53-13-103 ; and
             103          (B) as of the date of the election, shall have been a resident of the county in which the
             104      person seeks office for at least one year.
             105          (b) If the prospective candidate states that he does not meet the qualification
             106      requirements for the office, the filing officer may not accept the prospective candidate's
             107      declaration of candidacy.
             108          (c) If the candidate states that he meets the requirements of candidacy, the filing officer
             109      shall:
             110          (i) provide the candidate with a copy of the pledge of fair campaign practices described
             111      under Section 20A-9-205 and inform the candidate that:
             112          (A) signing the pledge is voluntary; and
             113          (B) signed pledges shall be filed with the filing officer;


             114          [(i)] (ii) accept the candidate's declaration of candidacy; and
             115          [(ii)] (iii) if the candidate has filed for a partisan office, provide a certified copy of the
             116      declaration of candidacy to the chair of the county or state political party of which the
             117      candidate is a member.
             118          (d) If the candidate elects to sign the pledge of fair campaign practices, the filing
             119      officer shall:
             120          (i) accept the candidate's pledge; and
             121          (ii) if the candidate has filed for a partisan office, provide a certified copy of the
             122      candidate's pledge to the chair of the county or state political party of which the candidate is a
             123      member.
             124          (5) Except for presidential candidates, the form of the declaration of candidacy shall be
             125      substantially as follows:
             126          "State of Utah, County of ____
             127          I, ______________, declare my intention of becoming a candidate for the office of
             128      ____ as a candidate for the ____ party. I do solemnly swear that: I can qualify to hold that
             129      office, both legally and constitutionally, if selected; I reside at _____________ in the City or
             130      Town of ____, Utah, Zip Code ____ Phone No. ____; I will not knowingly violate any law
             131      governing campaigns and elections; and I will qualify for the office if elected to it. The
             132      mailing address that I designate for receiving official election notices is
             133      ___________________________.
             134      ____________________________________________________________________
             135          Subscribed and sworn before me this __________(month\day\year).
             136     
Notary Public (or other officer qualified to administer oath.)"

             137          (6) (a) Except for presidential candidates, the fee for filing a declaration of candidacy
             138      is:
             139          (i) $25 for candidates for the local school district board; and
             140          (ii) 1/8 of 1% of the total salary for the full term of office legally paid to the person
             141      holding the office, but not less than $5, for all other federal, state, and county offices.


             142          (b) Except for presidential candidates, the filing officer shall refund the filing fee to
             143      any candidate:
             144          (i) who is disqualified; or
             145          (ii) who the filing officer determines has filed improperly.
             146          (c) (i) The county clerk shall immediately pay to the county treasurer all fees received
             147      from candidates.
             148          (ii) The lieutenant governor shall:
             149          (A) apportion to and pay to the county treasurers of the various counties all fees
             150      received for filing of nomination certificates or acceptances; and
             151          (B) ensure that each county receives that proportion of the total amount paid to the
             152      lieutenant governor from the congressional district that the total vote of that county for all
             153      candidates for representative in Congress bears to the total vote of all counties within the
             154      congressional district for all candidates for representative in Congress.
             155          (d) (i) Each person who is unable to pay the filing fee may file a declaration of
             156      candidacy without payment upon a prima facie showing of impecuniosity as evidenced by an
             157      affidavit of impecuniosity filed with the filing officer.
             158          (ii) The filing officer shall ensure that the affidavit of impecuniosity is printed in
             159      substantially the following form:
             160          "Affidavit of Impecuniosity
             161      Individual Name
             162      ____________________________Address_____________________________
             163      Phone Number _________________
             164      I,__________________________(name), do solemnly [swear] [affirm] that, owing to my
             165      poverty, I am unable to pay the filing fee required by law.
             166      Date ______________ Signature________________________________________________
             167      Affiant
             168      Subscribed and sworn to before me on ___________ (month\day\year)
             169     
______________________


             170     
(signature)

             171          Name and Title of Officer Authorized to Administer Oath
_________________________"

             172          (7) Any person who fails to file a declaration of candidacy or certificate of nomination
             173      within the time provided in this chapter is ineligible for nomination to office.
             174          Section 2. Section 20A-9-203 is amended to read:
             175           20A-9-203. Declarations of candidacy -- Municipal general elections.
             176          (1) (a) A person may become a candidate for any municipal office if the person is a
             177      registered voter and:
             178          (i) the person has resided within the municipality in which that person seeks to hold
             179      elective office for the 12 consecutive months immediately before the date of the election; or
             180          (ii) if the territory in which the person resides was annexed into the municipality, the
             181      person has resided within the annexed territory or the municipality for 12 months.
             182          (b) In addition to the requirements of Subsection (1)(a), candidates for a municipal
             183      council position under the council-mayor or council-manager alternative forms of municipal
             184      government shall, if elected from districts, be residents of the council district from which they
             185      are elected.
             186          (c) Pursuant to Utah Constitution Article IV, Section 6, any mentally incompetent
             187      person, any person convicted of a felony, or any person convicted of treason or a crime against
             188      the elective franchise may not hold office in this state until the right to vote or hold elective
             189      office is restored as provided by statute.
             190          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b) or (2)(c), each person seeking to
             191      become a candidate for a municipal office shall file a declaration of candidacy in person with
             192      the city recorder or town clerk during office hours and not later than 5 p.m. between July 15
             193      and August 15 of any odd numbered year and pay the filing fee, if one is required by municipal
             194      ordinance.
             195          (b) (i) As used in this Subsection (2)(b), "registered voters" means the number of
             196      persons registered to vote in the municipality on the January 1 of the municipal election year.
             197          (ii) A third, fourth, or fifth class city that used the convention system to nominate


             198      candidates in the last municipal election as authorized by Subsection 20A-9-404 (3) or used the
             199      process contained in this Subsection (2)(b) in the last municipal election or a town that used the
             200      convention system to nominate candidates in the last municipal election as authorized by
             201      Subsection 20A-9-404 (3) or used the process contained in this Subsection (2)(b) in the last
             202      municipal election may, by ordinance, require, in lieu of the convention system, that candidates
             203      for municipal office file a nominating petition signed by a percentage of registered voters at the
             204      same time that the candidate files a declaration of candidacy.
             205          (iii) The ordinance shall specify the number of signatures that the candidate must
             206      obtain on the nominating petition in order to become a candidate for municipal office under
             207      this Subsection (2), but that number may not exceed 5% of registered voters.
             208          (c) Any resident of a municipality may nominate a candidate for a municipal office by
             209      filing a nomination petition with the city recorder or town clerk during office hours but not
             210      later than 5 p.m. between July 15 and August 15 of any odd numbered year and pay the filing
             211      fee, if one is required by municipal ordinance.
             212          (d) When August 15 is a Saturday or Sunday, the filing time shall be extended until 5
             213      p.m. on the following Monday.
             214          (3) (a) Before the filing officer may accept any declaration of candidacy or nomination
             215      petition, the filing officer shall:
             216          (i) read to the prospective candidate or person filing the petition the constitutional and
             217      statutory qualification requirements for the office that the candidate is seeking; and
             218          (ii) require the candidate or person filing the petition to state whether or not the
             219      candidate meets those requirements.
             220          (b) If the prospective candidate does not meet the qualification requirements for the
             221      office, the filing officer may not accept the declaration of candidacy or nomination petition.
             222          (c) If it appears that the prospective candidate meets the requirements of candidacy, the
             223      filing officer shall:
             224          (i) provide the candidate with a copy of the pledge of fair campaign practices described
             225      under Section 20A-9-205 and inform the candidate that:


             226          (A) signing the pledge is voluntary; and
             227          (B) signed pledges shall be filed with the filing officer; and
             228          (ii) accept the declaration of candidacy or nomination petition.
             229          (d) If the candidate elects to sign the pledge of fair campaign practices, the filing
             230      officer shall:
             231          (i) accept the candidate's pledge; and
             232          (ii) if the candidate has filed for a partisan office, provide a certified copy of the
             233      candidate's pledge to the chair of the county or state political party of which the candidate is a
             234      member.
             235          (4) The declaration of candidacy shall substantially comply with the following form:
             236          "I, (print name) ____, being first sworn, say that I reside at ____ Street, City of ____,
             237      County of ____, state of Utah, Zip Code ____, Telephone Number (if any) ____; that I am a
             238      registered voter; and that I am a candidate for the office of ____ (stating the term). I request
             239      that my name be printed upon the applicable official ballots. (Signed) _______________
             240          Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by ____ on this
             241      __________(month\day\year).
             242          (Signed) _______________ (Clerk or other officer qualified to administer oath)"
             243          (5) (a) In all first and second class cities, and in third, fourth, or fifth class cities that
             244      have not passed the ordinance authorized by Subsection (2)(b) and in towns that have not
             245      passed the ordinance authorized by Subsection (2)(b), any registered voter may be nominated
             246      for municipal office by submitting a petition signed by:
             247          (i) 25 residents of the municipality who are at least 18 years old; or
             248          (ii) 20% of the residents of the municipality who are at least 18 years old.
             249          (b) (i) The petition shall substantially conform to the following form:
             250     
"NOMINATION PETITION

             251          The undersigned residents of (name of municipality) being 18 years old or older
             252      nominate (name of nominee) to the office of ____ for the (two or four-year term, whichever is
             253      applicable)."


             254          (ii) The remainder of the petition shall contain lines and columns for the signatures of
             255      persons signing the petition and their addresses and telephone numbers.
             256          (6) (a) In third, fourth, and fifth class cities that have passed the ordinance authorized
             257      by Subsection (2)(b), and in towns that have passed the ordinance authorized by Subsection
             258      (2)(b), any registered voter may be nominated for municipal office by submitting a petition
             259      signed by the same percentage of registered voters in the municipality as required by the
             260      ordinance passed under authority of Subsection (2)(b).
             261          (b) (i) The petition shall substantially conform to the following form:
             262          "NOMINATION PETITION
             263          The undersigned residents of (name of municipality) being 18 years old or older
             264      nominate (name of nominee) to the office of (name of office) for the (two or four-year term,
             265      whichever is applicable)."
             266          (ii) The remainder of the petition shall contain lines and columns for the signatures of
             267      persons signing the petition and their addresses and telephone numbers.
             268          (7) If the declaration of candidacy or nomination petition fails to state whether the
             269      nomination is for the two or four-year term, the clerk shall consider the nomination to be for
             270      the four-year term.
             271          (8) (a) The clerk shall verify with the county clerk that all candidates are registered
             272      voters.
             273          (b) Any candidate who is not registered to vote is disqualified and the clerk may not
             274      print the candidate's name on the ballot.
             275          (9) Immediately after expiration of the period for filing a declaration of candidacy, the
             276      clerk shall:
             277          (a) cause the names of the candidates as they will appear on the ballot to be published
             278      in at least two successive publications of a newspaper with general circulation in the
             279      municipality; and
             280          (b) notify the lieutenant governor of the names of the candidates as they will appear on
             281      the ballot.


             282          (10) (a) A declaration of candidacy or nomination petition filed under this section is
             283      valid unless a written objection is filed with the clerk within five days after the last day for
             284      filing.
             285          (b) If an objection is made, the clerk shall:
             286          (i) mail or personally deliver notice of the objection to the affected candidate
             287      immediately; and
             288          (ii) decide any objection within 48 hours after it is filed.
             289          (c) If the clerk sustains the objection, the candidate may correct the problem by
             290      amending the declaration or petition within three days after the objection is sustained or by
             291      filing a new declaration within three days after the objection is sustained.
             292          (d) (i) The clerk's decision upon objections to form is final.
             293          (ii) The clerk's decision upon substantive matters is reviewable by a district court if
             294      prompt application is made to the district court.
             295          (iii) The decision of the district court is final unless the Supreme Court, in the exercise
             296      of its discretion, agrees to review the lower court decision.
             297          (11) Any person who filed a declaration of candidacy and was nominated, and any
             298      person who was nominated by a nomination petition, may, any time up to 23 days before the
             299      election, withdraw the nomination by filing a written affidavit with the clerk.
             300          Section 3. Section 20A-9-205 is enacted to read:
             301          20A-9-205. Fair campaign practices -- Voluntary pledge -- Pledge is a public
             302      record -- Retention requirements.
             303          (1) Each person seeking to become a candidate for any elective office that is to be
             304      filled at the next election shall be provided with a copy of the pledge of fair campaign
             305      practices.
             306          (2) The pledge shall be in the following form:
             307          "PLEDGE OF FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES
             308          There are basic principles of decency, honesty, and fair play which every candidate for
             309      public office in the State of Utah has a moral obligation to observe and uphold, in order that,


             310      after vigorously contested but fairly conducted campaigns, our citizens may exercise their right
             311      to a free election, and that the will of the people may be fully and clearly expressed on the
             312      issues.
             313          THEREFORE:
             314          I SHALL conduct my campaign openly and publicly, discussing the issues as I see
             315      them, presenting my record and policies with sincerity and frankness, and criticizing, without
             316      fear or favor, the record and policies of my opponents that I believe merit criticism.
             317          I SHALL NOT use nor shall I permit the use of scurrilous attacks on any candidate or
             318      the candidate's immediate family. I shall not participate in or nor shall I permit the use of
             319      defamation, libel, or slander against any candidate or the candidate's immediate family. I shall
             320      not participate in nor shall I permit the use of any other criticism of any candidate or the
             321      candidate's immediate family that I do not believe to be truthful, provable, and relevant to my
             322      campaign.
             323          I SHALL NOT use nor shall I permit the use of any practice that tends to corrupt or
             324      undermine our American system of free elections, or that hinders or prevents the free
             325      expression of the will of the voters, including practices intended to hinder or prevent any
             326      eligible person from registering to vote or voting.
             327          I SHALL NOT coerce election help or campaign contributions for myself or for any
             328      other candidate from my employees or volunteers.
             329          I SHALL immediately and publicly repudiate support deriving from any individual or
             330      group which resorts, on behalf of my candidacy or in opposition to that of an opponent, to
             331      methods in violation of the letter or spirit of this pledge. I shall accept responsibility to take
             332      firm action against any subordinate who violates any provision of this pledge or the laws
             333      governing elections.
             334          I SHALL defend and uphold the right of every qualified American voter to full and
             335      equal participation in the electoral process.
             336          I, the undersigned, candidate for election to public office in the State of Utah, hereby
             337      voluntarily endorse, subscribe to, and solemnly pledge myself to conduct my campaign in


             338      accordance with the above principles and practices."
             339          Name: ________________________________
             340          Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________
             341          (3) The filing officer shall print, or cause to be printed, blank forms of the pledge to be
             342      distributed to persons filing a declaration of candidacy.
             343          (4) A pledge that is submitted for filing by a candidate is a public record under Title
             344      63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act.
             345          (5) The filing officer shall:
             346          (a) accept all signed pledges that are submitted for filing; and
             347          (b) retain each filed pledge for public inspection for 30 calendar days after the election.
             348          (6) A candidate may not be required to subscribe to, endorse, or sign the pledge of fair
             349      campaign practices.
             350          Section 4. Section 20A-11-601 is amended to read:
             351           20A-11-601. Political action committees -- Registration -- Criminal penalty for
             352      providing false information or accepting unlawful contribution.
             353          (1) (a) Each political action committee shall file a statement of organization with the
             354      lieutenant governor's office by January 10 of each year, unless the political action committee
             355      has filed a notice of dissolution under Subsection (4).
             356          (b) If a political action committee is organized after the January 10 filing date, the
             357      political action committee shall file an initial statement of organization no later than seven days
             358      after:
             359          [(a)] (i) receiving contributions totaling at least $750 [in any calendar year]; or
             360          [(b)] (ii) distributing expenditures for political purposes totaling at least $750 [in any
             361      calendar year].
             362          (c) If January 10 falls on a weekend or holiday, the statement of organization shall be
             363      filed by the following business day.
             364          (2) Each political action committee shall designate two officers that have primary
             365      decision-making authority for the political action committee.


             366          [(2)] (3) The statement of organization shall include:
             367          (a) the name and address of the political action committee;
             368          (b) the name, street address, phone number, occupation, and title of the two primary
             369      officers designated under Subsection (2);
             370          [(b)] (c) the name, street address, occupation, and title of [each officer] all other
             371      officers of the political action committee;
             372          [(c)] (d) the name and street address of the organization, individual corporation,
             373      association, unit of government, or union that the political action committee represents, if any;
             374          [(d)] (e) the name and street address of all affiliated or connected organizations and
             375      their relationships to the political action committee;
             376          [(e)] (f) the name, street address, business address, occupation, and phone number of
             377      the committee's treasurer or chief financial officer; and
             378          [(f)] (g) the name, street address, and occupation of each member of the governing
             379      [board] and advisory boards, if any.
             380          [(3)] (4) (a) Any registered political action committee that intends to permanently cease
             381      operations shall file a notice of dissolution with the lieutenant governor's office.
             382          (b) Any notice of dissolution filed by a political action committee does not exempt that
             383      political action committee from complying with the financial reporting requirements of this
             384      chapter.
             385          (5) (a) Unless the political action committee has filed a notice of dissolution under
             386      Subsection (4), a political action committee shall file, with the lieutenant governor's office,
             387      notice of any change of an officer described in Subsection (2).
             388          (b) Notice of a change of a primary officer described in Subsection (2) shall:
             389          (i) be filed within ten days of the date of the change; and
             390          (ii) contain the name and title of the officer being replaced, and the name, street
             391      address, occupation, and title of the new officer.
             392          (6) (a) A person is guilty of providing false information in relation to a political action
             393      committee if the person intentionally or knowingly gives false or misleading material


             394      information in the statement of organization or the notice of change of primary officer.
             395          (b) Each primary officer designated in Subsection (2) is guilty of accepting an unlawful
             396      contribution if the political action committee knowingly or recklessly accepts a contribution
             397      from a corporation that:
             398          (i) was organized less than 90 days before the date of the general election; and
             399          (ii) at the time the political action committee accepts the contribution, has failed to file
             400      a statement of organization with the lieutenant governor's office as required by Section
             401      20A-11-704 .
             402          (c) A violation of this Subsection (6) is a third degree felony.
             403          Section 5. Section 20A-11-704 is enacted to read:
             404          20A-11-704. Statement of organization required for certain new corporations.
             405          (1) A corporation that is incorporated, organized, or otherwise created less than 90 days
             406      before the date of a general election shall file a statement of organization with the lieutenant
             407      governor's office before making a contribution to a political action committee or a political
             408      issues committee in association with the election.
             409          (2) The statement of organization shall include:
             410          (a) the name and street address of the corporation;
             411          (b) the name, street address, phone number, occupation, and title of one or more
             412      individuals that have primary decision-making authority for the corporation;
             413          (c) the name, street address, phone number, occupation, and title of the corporation's
             414      chief financial officer;
             415          (d) the name, street address, occupation, and title of all other officers or managers of
             416      the corporation; and
             417          (e) the name, street address, and occupation of each member of the corporation's
             418      governing and advisory boards, if any.
             419          Section 6. Section 20A-11-801 is amended to read:
             420           20A-11-801. Political issues committees -- Registration -- Criminal penalty for
             421      providing false information or accepting unlawful contribution.


             422          (1) (a) Each political issues committee shall file a statement of organization with the
             423      lieutenant governor's office by January 10 of each year, unless the political issues committee
             424      has filed a notice of dissolution under Subsection (4).
             425          (b) If a political issues committee is organized after the January 10 filing date, the
             426      political issues committee shall file an initial statement of organization no later than seven days
             427      after:
             428          (i) receiving political issues contributions totaling at least $750; or
             429          (ii) disbursing political issues expenditures totaling at least $50 [in any calendar year].
             430          (c) If January 10 falls on a weekend or holiday, the statement of organization shall be
             431      filed by the following business day.
             432          (2) Each political issues committee shall designate two officers that have primary
             433      decision-making authority for the political issues committee.
             434          [(2)] (3) The statement of organization shall include:
             435          (a) the name and street address of the political issues committee;
             436          (b) the name, street address, phone number, occupation, and title of the two primary
             437      officers designated under Subsection (2);
             438          [(b)] (c) the name, street address, occupation, and title of [each officer] all other
             439      officers of the political issues committee;
             440          [(c)] (d) the name and street address of the organization, individual, corporation,
             441      association, unit of government, or union that the political issues committee represents, if any;
             442          [(d)] (e) the name and street address of all affiliated or connected organizations and
             443      their relationships to the political issues committee;
             444          [(e)] (f) the name, street address, business address, occupation, and phone number of
             445      the committee's treasurer or chief financial officer;
             446          [(f)] (g) the name, street address, and occupation of each member of the supervisory
             447      [board] and advisory boards, if any; and
             448          [(g)] (h) the ballot proposition whose outcome they wish to affect, and whether they
             449      support or oppose it.


             450          [(3)] (4) (a) Any registered political issues committee that intends to permanently cease
             451      operations during a calendar year shall file a notice of dissolution with the lieutenant governor's
             452      office.
             453          (b) Any notice of dissolution filed by a political issues committee does not exempt that
             454      political issues committee from complying with the financial reporting requirements of this
             455      chapter.
             456          (5) (a) Unless the political issues committee has filed a notice of dissolution under
             457      Subsection (4), a political issues committee shall file, with the lieutenant governor's office,
             458      notice of any change of an officer described in Subsection (2).
             459          (b) Notice of a change of a primary officer described in Subsection (2) shall:
             460          (i) be filed within ten days of the date of the change; and
             461          (ii) contain the name and title of the officer being replaced and the name, street
             462      address, occupation, and title of the new officer.
             463          (6) (a) A person is guilty of providing false information in relation to a political issues
             464      committee if the person intentionally or knowingly gives false or misleading material
             465      information in the statement of organization or the notice of change of primary officer.
             466          (b) Each primary officer designated in Subsection (2) is guilty of accepting an unlawful
             467      contribution if the political issues committee knowingly or recklessly accepts a contribution
             468      from a corporation that:
             469          (i) was organized less than 90 days before the date of the general election; and
             470          (ii) at the time the political issues committee accepts the contribution, has failed to file
             471      a statement of organization with the lieutenant governor's office as required by Section
             472      20A-11-704 .
             473          (c) A violation of this Subsection (6) is a third degree felony.


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