Public Campaigns Program and Fund; established and created, tax check-off.

Elections; campaign finance; Public CampaignsProgram and Fund established; tax check-off. Establishes thePublic Campaigns Program within the Department of Elections for thepurpose of providing matching payments of public money to participatingcandidates receiving qualified small-dollar contributions of lessthan $250. The bill requires participating candidates to agree toabide by contribution limits and limits on the use of public matchingpayments in addition to agreeing to participate in public debates.Under the bill, matching payments are made from the Public CampaignsFund, which is funded by an option on Virginia tax returns to directa contribution of $40 from an individual filer, or $80 dollars forjoint filers, to the Fund. The bill requires the Department to conductaudits of elections involving Program participants and to make a reportto the General Assembly on the status of the Program generally.