HB 1643 Indiana House · 2025 Regular Session

Campaign finance.

Summary
Modifies the definition of "auxiliary party organization". Specifies that the definition of "contribution" includes certain donations of property through a payment platform that acts as a conduit. Repeals a provision that allows the Indiana election commission (commission) to issue advisory opinions. Provides that an advisory opinion issued by the commission before July 1, 2025, is void. Provides that certain paid political advertising or campaign material does not falsely represent that the candidate is or has been an officeholder. Provides that, after December 31, 2026, the computer system developed and used by the election division to store campaign finance reports must enable the election division to provide for electronic submission, retrieval, storage, and disclosure of campaign finance reports of candidates for local office and school board office. Requires, after December 31, 2026, that a: (1) committee for a candidate seeking election to a local office or school board office; and (2) political action committee; must file specified reports and statements electronically using a standardized software program or another approved format. Requires, after December 31, 2026, that each county election board and board of elections and registration have access to a particular computer system and software program for the purpose of managing filings by candidates seeking election to a local office or school board office. Specifies requirements that apply to the purchase of a software program by the election division after June 30, 2025. Allows the election division to send certain notices by electronic mail, if a workable electronic mail address is provided by the committee. Requires, after December 31, 2026, each county election board to mail: (1) to each candidate or political action committee required to file a campaign finance report with the county election board; and (2) 21 days before the campaign finance reports are due; a notice that states the date the campaign finance reports are due. Allows a county election board to adopt a resolution allowing certain reports to be submitted to the county election board by hand, mail, or electronic mail. Provides that a county election board that adopts a resolution is responsible for entering the submitted reports into the computer system and software program. Requires the reporting of certain information if a contribution is made through a payment platform that acts as a conduit.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Mar 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Bill (H) House Bill (S) · 7 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to reflect Senate approval and updates the digest to include new provisions about electronic reporting requirements, software purchase specifications, and expanded notice procedures for campaign finance reporting. The changes clarify that political action committees must also file reports electronically and allow county election boards to accept reports by hand, mail, or email if a resolution is adopted.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include political action committees in electronic reporting requirements and added flexibility for counties to accept non-electronic submissions.
TIMELINE

Updated dates from January 27, 2025 to March 18, 2025 to reflect Senate action and engrossment.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that political action committees must file specified reports and statements electronically using standardized software or approved formats.

Added provisions allowing county election boards to adopt resolutions accepting reports by hand, mail, or electronic mail.

Added specification that county election boards adopting such resolutions are responsible for entering submitted reports into the computer system.

Added requirements for the election division regarding purchase of software programs after June 30, 2025.

Added authority for the election division to send certain notices by electronic mail if a workable email address is provided.

DEFINITION

Reorganized and clarified definitions of contributions and exemptions for political action committees regarding administrative costs.

Floor votes · House Feb 6, 2025

How they voted

6127
Passed · 12 other
Total votes 100
Feb 6, 2025
D Democratic29
1 Yea 25 Nay 3
86% Nay
I Independent1
1 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican70
59 Yea 2 Nay 9
84% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
4
Committee
2
Amendments
4
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report: do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations
upper
Feb 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 103: yeas 61, nays 27
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Amended
Amendment #5 (Boy) failed; Roll Call 75: yeas 28, nays 66
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Amended
Amendment #16 (Errington) failed; Roll Call 74: yeas 29, nays 65
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Amended
Amendment #8 (Pryor) failed; Roll Call 73: yeas 29, nays 66
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amendment #17 (Pierce K) prevailed; voice vote
lower
Jan 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
lower
2 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors