HB633 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Jones

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Fair Campaign Practices Act, civil penalties for violations assessed by filing official, Sec. 17-5-19 am'd.

Summary

HB633 shifts civil penalties under the Fair Campaign Practices Act to be assessed by the filing official and sets the penalty amounts and collection rules.

What This Bill Does

It requires civil penalties for violations or late/incorrect reporting under the Fair Campaign Practices Act to be assessed by the appropriate filing official. It creates a tiered penalty schedule: first offense $300 or 10% of the underreported amount, second offense $600 or 15%, third or subsequent offense $1,200 or 20%, with a fourth offense creating a rebuttable presumption of intent. It specifies where penalties go: penalties collected by judges of probate go to the county general fund, and penalties collected by the Secretary of State go to the State General Fund. It allows voluntary amended reports to avoid civil penalties if corrected before the relevant election, with timing conditions for candidates and PACs, and notes that existing criminal penalties and enforcement remain in place.

Who It Affects

• Candidates and political action committees subject to the Fair Campaign Practices Act, who could incur civil penalties for late or inaccurate reporting and violations.
• Filing officials (judges of probate and the Secretary of State) who assess, collect, and distribute civil penalties.

Key Provisions

• Civil penalties for violations shall be assessed by the appropriate filing official.
• Penalties for failing to timely or accurately file reports: first offense $300 or 10% of the amount not properly reported; second offense $600 or 15%; third or subsequent offense $1,200 or 20%; a fourth offense creates a rebuttable presumption of intent.
• Civil penalties are paid to the appropriate filing official; penalties collected by judges of probate go to the county general fund, and penalties collected by the Secretary of State go to the State General Fund.
• Voluntary amended reports filed to correct errors before the election are exempt from civil penalties under specified conditions.
• Criminal penalties and enforcement remain governed by existing law; prosecutors may pursue violations, with venue rules and a two-year statute of limitations (four years for violations under Section 17-5-7).
• The act takes effect immediately upon governor's approval, and the Secretary of State may issue rules to implement the changes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Fair Campaign Practices Act