(a)  Whenever the board of elections has reason to believe that a ballot-question advocate willfully and knowingly made a false statement in any report required under this chapter or failed to file any report, or has otherwise violated this chapter, the board of elections may, in addition to all other actions authorized by law, request the attorney general to bring an action in the name of the state of Rhode Island in the superior court against the person signing any such report and/or organization to enjoin them from continuing the violation, or doing any acts in furtherance of the violation, and for any other relief the court deems appropriate. In addition, the court may order the forfeiture of any and all contributions not reported in violation of this chapter.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 17-25.2-9

  • Contributions: means donations to a ballot-question advocate in the form of money, gifts, loans, paid personal services, or in-kind contributions as defined herein. See Rhode Island General Laws 17-25.2-3
  • Expenditures: means the payment for any goods and services for the purpose of ballot-question advocacy as set forth in this paragraph:

    (i)  Any media advertising services or products, including, but not limited to, newspapers, radio stations or television stations;

    (ii)  General advertising in letters, brochures, flyers, handbills, lawn signs, posters, bumper stickers, buttons or other materials except for newsletters and other communications paid for and transmitted by an organization to its own members and not to the general public; or

    (iii)  Paid personal services donated to any ballot-question advocate including advertising agency services or other professional services including accounting services, printing, secretarial services, public opinion polls, research and professional campaign consultation or management, media production or computer services. See Rhode Island General Laws 17-25.2-3

  • Person: means any individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, city, town, or other governmental unit and any other organization. See Rhode Island General Laws 17-25.2-3

(b)  The court may also impose a civil penalty for any violation of this chapter up to but not exceeding three (3) times the amount of:

(1)  Contributions and/or expenditures made or accepted in violation of this chapter; and/or

(2)  Contributions or expenditures not reported as required by this chapter.

(c)  All funds collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the fund established by the state for public information and education regarding the election process.

History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 174, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 292, § 2.