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HB 7246 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING MODIFICATIONS TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS AND STATE ELECTIONS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION AUTHORITY.

HB 7246 updates Connecticut's campaign finance rules by clarifying definitions and disclosure requirements for political communications. It redefines "organization expenditure" to include party candidate listings (like candidate directories in media), campaign materials distributed by party committees, and non-fundraising campaign events. The bill also specifies what constitutes "soliciting" contributions, excluding activities like sharing fundraising links via party committees. These changes require certain campaign materials to display disclaimers (e.g., "paid for by [organization]") and take effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting candidates, party committees, and political committees.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 19, 2025 Last action May 6, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → GAE Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'GAE Joint Favorable Substitute', indicating it passed committee review and is now in a modified form for further legislative action. The substantive changes include redefining 'party candidate listing' to explicitly include communications distributed through public advertising and direct mail, clarifying what constitutes solicitation activities, and updating the definition of 'fundraiser' to 'fundraising event'. These changes aim to provide clearer guidance on campaign communication and fundraising activities.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by adding specific criteria for what constitutes a 'party candidate listing' and clarifying the definition of solicitation activities to include serving as committee officers and bundling contributions.
DEFINITION

Added explicit criteria for 'party candidate listing' to include communications distributed through public advertising, direct mail, telephone, email, internet, or personal delivery.

Expanded 'Solicit' definition to include serving as chairperson, treasurer, or deputy treasurer of committees, and bundling contributions.

Changed 'fundraiser' to 'fundraising event' in the definition of prohibited activities, providing clearer terminology.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill numbering from 'Raised Bill No. 7246' to 'Substitute Bill No. 7246' and page count from 28 to 27 pages, reflecting committee amendments.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
3
Committee
4
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.