If an organization qualifies as a committee under section 1052, subsection 2 and that organization receives contributions or makes expenditures to influence a municipal campaign in towns or cities with a population of 15,000 or more, that organization must register and file reports with the municipal clerk as required by Title 30-A, section 2502. If an organization qualifies as a ballot question committee under section 1052, subsection 2-A and that organization makes expenditures exceeding $5,000 to influence a municipal referendum campaign in a town or city with a population of less than 15,000, that organization must register and file reports with the commission using the electronic filing system pursuant to section 1059, subsection 5. The reports must be filed in accordance with the reporting schedule in section 1059 and must contain the information listed in section 1060. A committee registered with the commission and that receives contributions or makes expenditures relating to a municipal election shall file a copy of the report containing such contributions or expenditures with the clerk in the subject municipality. The commission retains the sole authority to prescribe the content of all reporting forms. The commission does not have responsibility to oversee the filing of registrations or campaign finance reports relating to municipal campaigns in towns or cities with a population of 15,000 or more. If a municipal clerk becomes aware of a potential violation of this subchapter that the clerk considers to be substantial, the clerk may refer the matter to the commission for enforcement. The commission may conduct an investigation if the information referred by the municipal clerk shows sufficient grounds for believing that a violation may have occurred. After conducting the investigation, if the commission determines that a violation of this subchapter has occurred, the commission may assess penalties provided in this subchapter. [2023, c. 314, §1(AMD).]
21-A M.R.S. § 1053-A