AN ACT CONCERNING EXPLORATORY COMMITTEES.

This bill updates Connecticut's campaign finance laws to clarify how candidates can form exploratory committees before officially announcing their candidacy. It allows candidates to raise small amounts of money, capped at $5,000, to gauge interest in running for public office without immediately establishing a full campaign committee. The bill requires candidates to convert these exploratory committees into official single-candidate committees within 15 days of publicly declaring their intent to seek office, with specific timing rules for state legislative and state office positions. Additionally, it mandates that any remaining funds from the exploratory committee be transferred to the official campaign committee or distributed to the Citizens' Election Fund under certain conditions. These changes aim to provide more structure and transparency for early-stage campaign fundraising while maintaining existing campaign finance regulations.