HB310 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill LambRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Fair Campaign Practices Act; authorize notifications of civil penalties by electronic mail in lieu of certified mail in certain circumstances

Summary

HB310 would let the Secretary of State notify civil penalties under the Fair Campaign Practices Act by email in certain cases, instead of requiring certified mail for all notices.

What This Bill Does

Allows electronic notice of civil penalties when an email on file; certified mail is still used if the penalty amount is greater than the cost of mailing; requires keeping PAC and campaign committee contact information current so email notices can be sent; preserves existing penalty schedules and payment/collection processes; penalties go to the State General Fund and can be paid from campaign funds; effective Oct 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Candidates and political action committees that must file campaign reports, who could receive civil penalties for late or inaccurate filings and must keep current contact information to receive email notices.
• The Secretary of State and enforcement partners (Attorney General and district attorneys) who administer, notify, and collect penalties, and who are alerted for repeat violations.

Key Provisions

• Allows electronic notice of civil penalties by email when an address is on file with the Secretary of State; certified mail is still used for penalties that exceed the cost of mailing.
• Keeps the established penalty schedule: first offense, the lesser of $300 or 10% of unreported contributions/expenditures; second offense, the lesser of $600 or 15%; third or subsequent offense, the lesser of $1,200 or 20%.
• A fourth failure to timely or accurately file creates a rebuttable presumption of intent to violate the reporting requirements.
• The Secretary of State must notify the Attorney General and district attorneys for persons who violate filing requirements four or more times in an election cycle.
• Penalties must be paid within 45 days after finality of review; the Secretary may pursue collection and recover costs if needed.
• Penalties collected go to the State General Fund; penalties may be paid with campaign funds.
• Voluntary amended reports filed to correct errors may avoid penalties under certain timing rules.
• Effective date: October 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections, Voting, & Campaigns