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Mass. General Laws c.55

Disclosure and regulation of campaign expenditures and contributions

This page links to an unofficial version of each section of G.L. c. 55. Please note that sections that appear missing have been either reserved for future use or repealed.

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§ 1 Definitions 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 238, § 181, effective November 20, 2024

§ 2 Accounts of contributions and expenditures; violations; penalties 
§ 3 Director of campaign and political finance; selection; term; powers and duties; judicial review of decisions; procedure for violations; penalties; disclosure of fund transfers 
§ 5 Political committees; statement of organization; officers; duties; expenditures; incorporation; penalties 
§ 5A Elected public officials; principal officers of political action committees 
§ 5B Names or phrases identifying political committees in organizational statements 
§ 5C Online training program for treasurers of political committees 
§ 6 Restrictions on expenditures; penalties 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 238, § 182, effective November 20, 2024

§ 6A Contributions from political action committees; limitations 
§ 6B Ballot question committee; contributions 
§ 7 Receipts, disbursements and contributions regulated; limitations; penalties 
§ 7A Campaign contributions to candidates from individuals; limitation; contributions from legislative and executive agents; contributions from gaming licensee 
§ 8 Political contributions by corporations; penalties 
§ 8A Media organization offering time and space to qualified candidates at no cost or reduced price; limitations 
§ 9 Contributions and expenditures over $50 or $100; use of credit or debit card by committee; penalties 
§ 9A Contributions by electronic means; acceptance by political action committees; authorization cards 
§ 9B Joint contributions to be attributed equally to each contributor when unspecified; rules and regulations for joint contributions 
§ 10 Name and address of donor; disclosure; penalties  
§ 10A Treatment of contributions to candidates through intermediaries or conduits 
§ 11 Solicitations from candidates prohibited; exception; penalties 
§ 12 Soliciting of money for nomination papers prohibited; penalties 
§ 13 Solicitation or receipt of political campaign contributions by appointive public officers or employees prohibited; exception; penalties 
§ 14 Soliciting contributions in public buildings prohibited; penalties 
§ 15 Political contributions by public officers or employees restricted; penalties 
§ 16 Requiring political contributions or services of persons in public service prohibited; penalty 
§ 16A Obligation to make political contribution or render political service; penalty 
§ 16B Obligation to make political contributions or render political service by persons employed for compensation; penalties 
§ 17 Public service status of officers or employees protected relative to political contributions; penalty 
§ 18 Reports of contributions and expenditures; persons required to file; contents; reporting periods; time limits; penalties 
§ 18A Reports of independent expenditures 
§ 18B Candidate or elected official sponsoring fund raising event on behalf of non-resident candidate; reports of contributions; penalty 
§ 18C Electronic reporting system for campaign finance reports and financial activity statements 
§ 18D Expenditures paid by or to vendors on behalf of political committee or on behalf of individual or group required to file report of ballot question expenditures 
§ 18E Legal defense, inauguration or recount funds 
§ 18F Electioneering communication expenditures 
§ 18G Independent expenditure or electioneering communication; disclosure statement regarding identity of financially responsible individual or entity; form; disclosure of top contributors; penalty for violation 
§ 19 Campaign funds; designation of depository 
§ 22 Persons or corporations making contributions; filing of reports with director; penalties 
§ 22A Expenditures for political purpose; report; punishment for violation; examination of accounts 
§ 23 Persons acting for political committees; accounts and vouchers to treasurers 
§ 24 Place for filing statements or reports; signing 
§ 25 Preservation of statements and reports by director; public inspection and reproduction 
§ 26 Preservation of statements and reports by city or town clerk; public inspection and reproduction; posting of campaign finance reports required by Sec. 18 on website 
§ 27 Furnishing forms for statements and reports, and summary of chapter 
§ 28 Inspection of statements and reports; delinquencies; notice; filing 
§ 29 Failure to file statement, report or affidavit; notice to and duties of director and attorney general 
§ 30 Courts' authority to compel filing of statements 
§ 31 Immunity of witnesses 
§ 32 Corrupt practices by candidate defined 
§ 33 Election petitions for corrupt practices; procedure 
§ 34 Application of preceding sections 
§ 35 Inquests upon complaint for violations 
§ 36 Conduct of inquests 
§ 37 Witnesses; attendance; process; fees 
§ 38 Stenographer 
§ 39 Witnesses; binding over to superior court 
§ 40 Apprehension of offenders 
§ 41 Witnesses; compulsory testimony; immunity 
§ 42 Forwarding certified copy of record of final judgment or conviction to city or town clerk; disqualification of defendant as voter 

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