RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

SB 1173 imposes a fee on the total amount spent by noncandidate committees (such as independent political groups) on election-related advertising or activities during election periods. This fee applies directly to these committees, not to individual donors or candidates, and is calculated based on their total independent spending. The bill requires these committees to pay the fee on top of their regular election expenditures, with the requirement becoming effective on April 23, 2057. It represents a direct financial mechanism to regulate certain election spending by outside groups.