House Sponsors: MCCARTHY-CURRIE-BOLAND-SCHOENBERG AND DART. Short description: PUB FINANCING JUD CAMPAIGN Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Public Financing for Judicial Campaigns Act. Provides that candidates for the office of Judge of the Supreme Court may apply for a public financing benefit in connection with their campaign for office. Sets requirements for qualifying for the public financing benefits. Limits the amount of private contributions qualified candidates may accept. Provides that qualified candidates must be distributed a line of credit from moneys in the Democracy Trust Fund to be used for lawful political expenditures. Provides for the increase of the line of credit if non-complying candidates make certain expenditures. Sets penalties for violations of the Act. Prohibits mass mailings on behalf of candidates for the office of Judge of the Supreme Court using State moneys during the period from June 1 preceding a general election until November 30 following a general election. Contains other provisions. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Democracy Trust Fund. Effective immediately. FISCAL NOTE (State Board of Elections) It is estimated that approximately $100,000 for new hirees will be needed by the Board to implement HB 1704. Several variables present difficulties in developing a firm assessment of costs. Items such as the number of candidates participating, the num- ber of violations that may occur, and the number of investiga- tions conducted will affect the initial and long-range costs. STATE MANDATES NOTE (Dept. of Commerce & Community Affairs) Affairs (DCCA), HB 1704 does not meet the definition of a State mandate under the State Mandates Act. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status