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SB 603 Connecticut Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS FUNDS FROM A CANDIDATE COMMITTEE THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE CITIZENS' ELECTION PROGRAM.

SB 603 updates rules for handling surplus funds from candidate committees participating in Connecticut's Citizens' Election Program. It requires these committees to distribute or spend any leftover funds within 90-120 days after an election or defeat, depending on timing. Allowed uses include returning funds to contributors proportionally, donating to the Citizens' Election Fund, giving to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charities, or (for participating candidates) donating up to $5,000 to local service charities with the remainder going to the fund. The bill explicitly prohibits using surplus funds to support future campaigns or personal benefits.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 15, 2025 Last action Mar 3, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Proposed Bill → Committee Bill · 7 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended from a proposed version to a committee version, significantly expanding the scope of surplus fund distribution rules for candidate committees. The original bill focused narrowly on allowing committees to donate up to $5,000 to local charities, while the committee version creates a comprehensive framework covering multiple distribution options, timing requirements, and special provisions for different committee types.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a narrow focus on charitable donations to a comprehensive set of rules covering multiple distribution options, referendum committees, equipment handling, and post-election expenses.
SCOPE

Expanded from allowing only charitable donations to permitting distribution to political committees, contributors, the Citizens' Election Fund, and charitable organizations.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific timing requirements for surplus distribution, requiring funds be distributed within 90-120 days after elections depending on the type of election.

Added provisions for referendum committees, allowing them to keep funds longer if similar referenda are scheduled within six months.

Added new provisions allowing elected candidates to use surplus for office expenses and permitting post-election thank you meals and treasurer payments.

Added equipment distribution requirements, allowing committees to donate or sell campaign equipment before dissolution.

ELIGIBILITY

Created special rules distinguishing between participating and non-participating candidates in the Citizens' Election Program, with different distribution options for each.

TIMELINE

Added specific effective date of October 1, 2025 for the new provisions.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE
upper
Jan 15, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.