HB 2874: campaign committees; termination statements; contributions - Arizona

Senate Engrossed Version (03/30/2026) → Chaptered Version · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Arizona's campaign finance laws to clarify filing responsibilities, introduce a $5,000 cap on late filing penalties, and create a mechanism to void penalties for committees that were inactive but failed to file reports on time. The changes also extend the retroactive application of these rules back to 2016 and designate the bill as an emergency measure.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include committees supporting or opposing recall elections and statewide ballot measures under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State, and it added a specific exception for inactive committees to avoid penalty assessments.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for committees to file termination statements to qualify for penalty exemptions.

Clarified that penalties are void if a committee certifies no activity and files a termination statement by December 31, 2026.

ENFORCEMENT

Capped the maximum total late filing penalties at $5,000 per report starting July 1, 2026.

TIMELINE

Extended the retroactive effective date of the act from December 31, 2021, back to July 5, 2016.

SCOPE

Explicitly included committees supporting recall elections and statewide ballot measures in the filing officer definitions.

House Engrossed Version (02/26/2026) → Senate Engrossed Version (03/30/2026) · 3 edits · Jun 9, 2026

MINOR

The Senate version adds a new exemption for political committees that fail to file reports on time but had no money coming in or going out during that period. Previously, these committees would still face daily fines and legal action; now, those penalties are erased and any ongoing legal cases against them must be dismissed. The bill also applies these rules retroactively to late filings dating back to December 31, 2021.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a specific exemption for inactive committees regarding late filing penalties and enforcement actions.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new provision stating that penalties and enforcement actions are void for committees with no contributions or expenditures during the reporting period.

TIMELINE

Added a retroactivity clause applying the new exemption to late filings occurring on or after December 31, 2021.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the penalty structure by adding an exception where no fines accrue if the committee was inactive during the reporting period.

Conference Engrossed Version (04/16/2026) → House Engrossed Version (02/26/2026) · 4 edits · Jun 9, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to remove the section amending ARS 16-928, effectively eliminating the requirement to update filing officer definitions. Additionally, the penalty structure for late filings was simplified by removing a specific exemption for committees with no activity and deleting a future cap on maximum penalties, while retaining the core daily penalty rates and dismissal provisions for inactive committees.

Scope change

The bill's scope was reduced by removing the amendment to ARS 16-928, which previously updated the list of filing officers for various election types. The remaining amendments to ARS 16-934 and 16-937 now focus solely on termination statements and late filing penalties.

SCOPE

The amendment to ARS 16-928, which updated filing officer definitions for statewide, county, and city elections, was entirely removed from the bill.

REQUIREMENT

The exemption allowing committees to avoid penalties if they received no contributions and made no expenditures was removed from the late filing penalty section.

A separate section establishing a December 31, 2026 deadline for termination statements to avoid penalties was removed, consolidating the logic into the main penalty section.

TIMELINE

A provision setting a maximum penalty cap of $5,000 starting July 1, 2026, was deleted.

Introduced Version → Conference Engrossed Version (04/16/2026) · 4 edits · Jun 9, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reorganized to add a new section defining which filing officers handle elections at different levels (state, county, and city). It also introduced a new provision that voids late filing penalties if a committee files a termination statement by December 31, 2026, even if they had previously accrued penalties. Additionally, a maximum penalty cap of $5,000 per late report was added, effective July 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new definition of filing officers for various election types, and it added a specific deadline (December 31, 2026) for committees to file termination statements to avoid penalties.

SCOPE

Added a new section defining the Secretary of State as the filing officer for statewide elections and the county officer for local elections, clarifying jurisdiction.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new rule that voids any accrued late filing penalties if a committee files a termination statement on or before December 31, 2026.

TIMELINE

Introduced a maximum penalty cap of $5,000 per late report, effective July 1, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the termination statement requirements to explicitly include a certification that no void penalties exist under the new rules.

campaign committees; termination statements; contributions

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