Election Law - Campaign Finance - Exploratory Committees

Added a formal definition of 'exploratory committee' as an entity established by a potential candidate to determine their viability for public office.

Added a definition of 'donation' specifically for exploratory committees, clarifying what counts as a contribution and what does not (such as ordinary business income or investments).

Modified the rules for what an exploratory committee can spend money on, limiting expenditures to activities like surveys, mailings, staff, websites, digital communications, office space, and electronic equipment related to determining viability.

Added a requirement that exploratory committees must return remaining funds within 120 days after a potential candidate files for office or establishes a campaign committee.

Modified rules about advance payments, prohibiting exploratory committees from paying expenses in advance for goods or services that will be used by the candidate's official campaign committee once established.

Added provisions allowing an individual who is already a candidate to establish an exploratory committee for a different public office.