Amends various sections of law relating to campaign contributions and expenditures, including prohibitions on self-dealing with committee funds and prohibits donations made in fictitious names.

Rhode Island Campaign Finance Reform Bill

This bill makes changes to Rhode Island's campaign finance laws, specifically targeting two key problem areas: self-dealing with campaign funds and fake-name donations. "Self-dealing" means that people running political committees — like a candidate's campaign fund — would be prohibited from using that money for their own personal financial benefit. In other words, a campaign treasurer or committee official couldn't pay themselves, their family members, or their own businesses from campaign funds in ways that aren't legitimate campaign expenses.

The bill also bans donations made under fictitious or made-up names. This closes a loophole that could allow real donors to hide their identity by giving money under a fake name, making it harder to trace where campaign money is actually coming from. Transparency in knowing who is funding political campaigns is a core goal of campaign finance law.

This bill would affect anyone involved in running a political campaign committee in Rhode Island — including candidates, campaign treasurers, and political organizations. It would also affect donors, who would be required to give under their real, verifiable identities. Ordinary voters would indirectly benefit by having greater transparency about who is funding political campaigns and stronger protections against the misuse of those funds.

Currently, the bill has been referred to the House State Government & Elections Committee, which has recommended it be held for further study, meaning it has not yet advanced toward a vote.