Pennsylvania HB 555: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions and providing for limitations on campaign contributions; and imposing duties on the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 556
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 555
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, HILL-EVANS, FIEDLER, PROBST, OTTEN,
SANCHEZ, SAMUELSON, STEELE, WAXMAN, HADDOCK, HANBIDGE AND
PIELLI, FEBRUARY 11, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 11, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), entitled
"An act concerning elections, including general, municipal,
special and primary elections, the nomination of candidates,
primary and election expenses and election contests; creating
and defining membership of county boards of elections;
imposing duties upon the Secretary of the Commonwealth,
courts, county boards of elections, county commissioners;
imposing penalties for violation of the act, and codifying,
revising and consolidating the laws relating thereto; and
repealing certain acts and parts of acts relating to
elections," in primary and election expenses, further
providing for definitions and providing for limitations on
campaign contributions; and imposing duties on the Secretary
of the Commonwealth.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "valuable thing" in section
1621(k) of the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as
the Pennsylvania Election Code, is amended to read:
Section 1621. Definitions.--As used in this article, the
following words have the following meanings:
* * *
(k) The words "valuable thing" shall mean all securities,
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goods, facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel, advertising,
services, membership lists commonly offered or used commercially
or other in-kind contributions provided without compensation, or
at compensation which is below the usual and normal compensation
for the items. The dollar value of a contribution of a valuable
thing is the difference between the usual and normal charge for
goods or services at the time of the contribution and the amount
charged the candidate or political committee.
Any of the categories hereinafter excluded from the
definition of "valuable thing" shall not be deemed a
contribution or expenditure for purposes of reporting or record
keeping. The words "valuable thing" shall not include such de
minimus items as the following:
(1) Voluntary personal services provided by individuals who
volunteer a portion or all of their time on behalf of a
candidate or political committee.
(2) The operation of a motor vehicle owned or leased by a
candidate or a member of his immediate family or for consumption
of food or beverages by a candidate or his immediate family.
(3) The use of real or personal property, including a
community room or a church used on a regular basis by members of
a community for noncommercial purposes, and the cost of
invitations, food and beverages voluntarily provided by an
individual to any candidate in rendering voluntary personal
services on the individual's residential premises or in the
church or community room for candidate related activities, to
the extent that the cumulative value of such invitations, food
and beverages provided by such individual on behalf of any
single candidate does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars
($250), with respect to any single election.
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(4) The sale of any food or beverage by a vendor other than
a corporation or unincorporated association for use in any
candidate's campaign at a charge less than the normal comparable
charge, if such charge is at least equal to the cost of such
food or beverage to the vendor to the extent that the cumulative
value of such reduced charge by such vendor on behalf of any
single candidate does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars
($250) with respect to any single election.
(5) Any unreimbursed payment for travel expenses made by any
individual on behalf of any candidate to the extent that the
cumulative value of such travel activity by such individual on
behalf of any single candidate does not exceed two hundred fifty
dollars ($250) with respect to any single election.
(6) The use of the personal residence or the business or
office space of the candidate other than a corporation or
unincorporated association and the use of personal property
owned or leased by the candidate: Provided, however, That the
cumulative value of the use of such personal property does not
exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) with respect to any single
election.
(7) The use of the personal residence or the business or
office space of any volunteer, other than a corporation or
unincorporated association, and the use of personal property
owned or leased by a volunteer: Provided, however, That the
cumulative value of the use of such personal property does not
exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) with respect to any
single election. Nothing in this section shall be construed to
permit any matter pr