Signed by Governor Earl Tomblin

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a public campaign financing program for Supreme Court of Appeals candidates.

Highlights:

• Establishes the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Program which provides a public funding option to candidates for the Supreme Court of Appeals.

• Specifies that the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Program is a permanent program. 

• Requires an individual seeking to become a certified candidate meet certain requirements including, but not limited to, the following requirements: 
• Receive at least 500 “qualifying contributions”;
• Receive at least $35,000 in total “qualifying contributions”; and 
• Receive at least 10 percent of the total “qualifying contributions” from each of the state’s congressional districts. 

• Defines “qualifying contribution” as a donation from a West Virginia registered voter to a candidate or candidates’ committee between $1 and $100 made during the “qualifying period”. 

• Defines “qualifying period” as the following time periods which a candidate may raise and spend qualifying contributions: 
• From September 1 preceding the election year to the last Saturday in January of the election year, for candidates seeking nomination on the primary election ballot; and
• From June 1 of an election year to October 1 of an election year, for candidates seeking to be placed on the general election ballot.

• Limits the amount a certified candidate can receive for an election to the following amounts:
• $50,000 for an uncontested primary election;
• $300,000 for a contested primary election;
• $35,000 for an uncontested general election; and
• $525,000 for a contested general election.

• Transfers $400,000 from the Purchasing Card Administration Fund to the Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Fund on or before July 1, 2015.

Full Bill Text