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An Act To Establish New Monetary Caps for Legislative Candidates under the Maine Clean Election Act
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1125, sub-§8-C, as enacted by IB 2015, c. 1, §25, is amended to read:
 
8-C. Distributions to participating candidates for State Senate.   Distributions from the fund to participating candidates for the State Senate must be made as follows.
 
A. For an uncontested primary election, the total distribution of revenues is $2,000$1,333 per candidate.
 
B. For a contested primary election, the total distribution of revenues is $10,000$6,667 per candidate.
 
C. For an uncontested general election, the total distribution of revenues is $6,000$4,000 per candidate.
 
D. For a contested general election, the amount of revenues distributed is as follows:
 
(1) The initial distribution of revenues is $20,000$13,333 per candidate;
 
(2) For each increment of 45 additional qualifying contributions a candidate collects and submits pursuant to subsection 8-E, not to exceed a total of 360 additional qualifying contributions, the supplemental distribution of revenues to that candidate is $5,000$3,333; and
 
(3) The total amount of revenues distributed for a contested general election may not exceed $60,000$40,000 per candidate.
Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §1125, sub-§8-D, as enacted by IB 2015, c. 1, §25, is amended to read:
 
8-D. Distributions to participating candidates for State House of Representatives.   Distributions from the fund to participating candidates for the State House of Representatives must be made as follows.
 
A. For an uncontested primary election, the total distribution of revenues is $500$333 per candidate.
 
B. For a contested primary election, the total distribution of revenues is $2,500$1,667 per candidate.
 
C. For an uncontested general election, the total distribution of revenues is $1,500$1,000 per candidate.
 
D. For a contested general election, the amount of revenues distributed is as follows:
 
(1) The initial distribution of revenues is $5,000$3,333 per candidate;
 
(2) For each increment of 15 additional qualifying contributions a candidate collects and submits pursuant to subsection 8-E, not to exceed a total of 120 additional qualifying contributions, the supplemental distribution of revenues to that candidate is $1,250$833; and
 
(3) The total amount of revenues distributed for a contested general election may not exceed $15,000$10,000 per candidate.
 
SUMMARY
This bill decreases by 1/3 the amount of the distribution from the Maine Clean Election Fund a participating candidate running for State Senator or State Representative may receive under the Maine Clean Election Act.