SB 633 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Campaign Finance - Political Organizations - Disclosures on Solicitations (Stop Scam PACs Act)

SB 633, the "Stop Scam PACs Act," requires political organizations that solicit funds to include specific disclaimers on all fundraising requests. It mandates that if a solicitation uses a candidate’s name, image, or likeness without permission, it must state: "This use is not authorized by the candidate." For solicitations appearing charitable, it requires a clear notice that donations are "not necessarily for charitable purposes" and "not tax-deductible." The State Administrator of Elections can investigate violations and impose civil penalties up to $10,000 for noncompliance. This law directly affects political organizations soliciting contributions, aiming to prevent misleading fundraising practices.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 29, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - Campaign Finance - Political Organizations - Disclosures on Solicitations (Stop Scam PACs Act) → Third - Campaign Finance - Political Organizations - Disclosures on Solicitations (Stop Scam PACs Act) · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to add a 'favorable with amendments' committee report and adopted status, indicating it has passed the Senate with modifications. The text was reorganized to clarify definitions and requirements for political organizations soliciting donations, particularly adding that solicitations for charitable purposes must now disclose if funds may be used for electoral or political purposes.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to require disclosures on solicitations for charitable purposes that may be used for electoral or political purposes, in addition to existing requirements for political solicitations.

ENFORCEMENT

Added 'Committee Report: Favorable with amendments' and 'Senate action: Adopted' to reflect the bill's progression through the legislative process.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the definition of when disclosures are required to include solicitations for charitable purposes that appear to be for charitable but may be used for electoral or political purposes.

Changed the required disclosure statement for charitable solicitations to explicitly state that contributions may not necessarily be used for charitable purposes and must list the five largest recipients of expenditures.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized and renumbered sections for clarity, including changes to section headers and paragraph numbering within the definition of 'Political action committee'.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 28, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

42–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 46

Feb 28, 2025

D Democratic33

29 Yea 4

87% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 6, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 313

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 24, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (127-8-4)

house of delegates

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Ways and Means

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (42-0-4)

senate

Jan 29, 2025

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors