Campaign Financing - Campaign Finance Reporting Deadline and Fair Campaign Financing Fund Distributions

HB 260 changes the timing for distributing funds from Maryland's Fair Campaign Financing Fund. It revises Section 15-107(a)(2) of the Election Law to require that distributions begin no earlier than **July 1** of the year before an election (previously January 1). This directly affects candidates who qualify for public financing under the program by extending the window for the State Board of Elections to process and distribute funds. The bill makes a specific procedural change to fund distribution timelines without altering eligibility rules or funding amounts. It takes effect July 1, 2026.