Signed by Governor Jan Brewer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission from investigating or acting on any complaint that involves an allegation of campaign finance violations regarding a statewide or legislative candidate who is not a participant of the Citizens Clean Elections Act Funding System.

Highlights:

• Requires an election official to use certain evidence to decide that an expenditure made by an individual or committee in order to expressly advocate for a specific candidate does not qualify as an “independent expenditure,” including, but not limited to, the following evidence (Sec. 3):
• The expenditure is made by a political committee that shares an officer, member, employee, or agent with the committee of the candidate who benefits from the expenditure;
• There is any arrangement, coordination, or direction with respect to the expenditure between the candidate or the candidate’s agent and the individual making the expenditure; or
• The individual making the expenditure has been authorized to raise or spend money on behalf of the candidate.  

• Prohibits the actions of an officer, director, employee, or agent of a trade association from being considered as if the trade association was making an independent expenditure if all of the following apply (Sec. 3):
• The officer, director, employee, or agent did not participate in deciding to make an independent expenditure or in deciding the execution of the independent expenditure;
• The trade association has an express, written policy regarding the separation required in this bill; and
• The trade association and the officer, director, employee or agent follows the written policy.

• Prohibits the Citizens Clean Elections Commission from investigating or acting on any complaint involving an allegation of campaign finance violations about a statewide or legislative candidate who is not participating in the Citizens Clean Elections Act Funding System (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends certain campaign rules regarding independent expenditures and the Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

Highlights:

• Requires an election official to use certain evidence to decide that an expenditure made by an individual or committee in order to expressly advocate for a specific candidate does not qualify as an “independent expenditure,” including, but not limited to, the following evidence (Sec. 3):
• The expenditure is made by a political committee that shares an officer, member, employee, or agent with the committee of the candidate who benefits from the expenditure;
• There is any arrangement, coordination, or direction with respect to the expenditure between the candidate or the candidate’s agent and the individual making the expenditure; or
• The individual making the expenditure has been authorized to raise or spend money on behalf of the candidate.  

• Prohibits the actions of an officer, director, employee, or agent of a trade association from being considered as if the trade association was making an independent expenditure if all of the following apply (Sec. 3):
• The officer, director, employee, or agent did not participate in deciding to make an independent expenditure or in deciding the execution of the independent expenditure;
• The trade association has an express, written policy regarding the separation required in this bill; and
• The trade association and the officer, director, employee or agent follows the written policy.

• Prohibits the Citizens Clean Elections Commission from investigating or acting on any complaint involving an allegation of campaign finance violations about a statewide or legislative candidate who is not participating in the Citizens Clean Elections Act Funding System (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission from investigating or acting on any complaint that involves an allegation of campaign finance violations regarding a statewide or legislative candidate who is not a participant of the Citizens Clean Elections Act Funding System.

Full Bill Text