(a) No individual shall make a contribution or contributions in any one calendar year in excess of fifteen thousand dollars to the state central committee of any party, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request; or two thousand dollars to a town committee of any political party, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request; or two thousand dollars to a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, or one thousand dollars to any other political committee other than (1) a political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, (2) an exploratory committee, (3) a political committee established by an organization, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request, or (4) a political committee formed by a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace of the same town.

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(b) No individual shall make a contribution to a political committee established by an organization which receives its funds from the organization’s treasury. With respect to a political committee established by an organization which has complied with the provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of section 9-614, and has elected to receive contributions, no individual other than a member of the organization may make contributions to the committee, in which case the individual may contribute not more than seven hundred fifty dollars in any one calendar year to such committee or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request.

(c) In no event may any individual make contributions to a candidate committee and a political committee formed solely to support one candidate other than an exploratory committee or for the benefit of a candidate committee and a political committee formed solely to support one candidate pursuant to the authorization or request of any such committee, in an amount which in the aggregate is in excess of the maximum amount which may be contributed to the candidate.

(d) Any individual may make unlimited contributions or expenditures to aid or promote the success or defeat of any referendum question, provided any individual who makes an expenditure or expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars to promote the success or defeat of any referendum question shall file statements according to the same schedule and in the same manner as is required of a treasurer of a political committee under section 9-608.

(e) (1) As used in this subsection and subsection (f) of section 9-608, (A) “investment services” means investment legal services, investment banking services, investment advisory services, underwriting services, financial advisory services or brokerage firm services, and (B) “principal of an investment services firm” means (i) an individual who is a director of or has an ownership interest in an investment services firm to which the State Treasurer pays compensation, expenses or fees or issues a contract, except for an individual who owns less than five per cent of the shares of an investment services firm, (ii) an individual who is employed by such an investment services firm as president, treasurer, or executive vice president, (iii) an employee of such an investment services firm who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to any investment services provided to the State Treasurer, (iv) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (v) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph.

(2) No principal of an investment services firm shall make a contribution to, or solicit contributions on behalf of, an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer during the term of office of the State Treasurer who pays compensation, expenses or fees or issues a contract to such firm. The provisions of this subdivision shall apply only to contributions and the solicitation of contributions that are not prohibited under subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section.

(3) Neither the State Treasurer, the Deputy State Treasurer, any unclassified employee of the office of the State Treasurer acting on behalf of the State Treasurer or Deputy State Treasurer, any candidate for the office of State Treasurer, any member of the Investment Advisory Council established under section 3-13b nor any agent of any such candidate may knowingly, wilfully or intentionally solicit contributions on behalf of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, a political committee or a party committee, from a principal of an investment services firm. The provisions of this subdivision shall apply only to contributions and the solicitation of contributions that are not prohibited under subdivision (3) of subsection (f) of this section.

(4) No member of the Investment Advisory Council appointed under section 3-13b shall make a contribution to, or solicit contributions on behalf of, an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer.

(5) The provisions of this subsection shall not restrict an individual from establishing an exploratory or candidate committee or from soliciting for and making contributions to a town committee or political committee that the candidate has designated in accordance with subsection (b) of section 9-604, for the financing of the individual’s own campaign or from soliciting contributions for such committees from persons not prohibited from making contributions under this subsection.

(f) (1) As used in this subsection and subsections (g) and (h) of this section:

(A) “Quasi-public agency” has the same meaning as provided in section 1-120.

(B) “State agency” means any office, department, board, council, commission, institution or other agency in the executive or legislative branch of state government.

(C) “State contract” means an agreement or contract with the state or any state agency or any quasi-public agency, let through a procurement process or otherwise, having a value of fifty thousand dollars or more, or a combination or series of such agreements or contracts having a value of one hundred thousand dollars or more in a calendar year, for (i) the rendition of services, (ii) the furnishing of any goods, material, supplies, equipment or any items of any kind, (iii) the construction, alteration or repair of any public building or public work, (iv) the acquisition, sale or lease of any land or building, (v) a licensing arrangement, or (vi) a grant, loan or loan guarantee. “State contract” does not include any agreement or contract with the state, any state agency or any quasi-public agency that is exclusively federally funded, an education loan, a loan to an individual for other than commercial purposes or any agreement or contract between the state or any state agency and the United States Department of the Navy or the United States Department of Defense.

(D) “State contractor” means a person, business entity or nonprofit organization that enters into a state contract. Such person, business entity or nonprofit organization shall be deemed to be a state contractor until December thirty-first of the year in which such contract terminates. “State contractor” does not include a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person’s capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

(E) “Prospective state contractor” means a person, business entity or nonprofit organization that (i) submits a response to a state contract solicitation by the state, a state agency or a quasi-public agency, or a proposal in response to a request for proposals by the state, a state agency or a quasi-public agency, until the contract has been entered into, or (ii) holds a valid prequalification certificate issued by the Commissioner of Administrative Services under section 4a-100. “Prospective state contractor” does not include a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person’s capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

(F) “Principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor” means (i) any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, or has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is a business entity, except for an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, (ii) an individual who is employed by a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is a business entity, as president, treasurer or executive vice president, (iii) an individual who is the chief executive officer of a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is not a business entity, or if a state contractor or prospective state contractor has no such officer, then the officer who duly possesses comparable powers and duties, (iv) an officer or an employee of any state contractor or prospective state contractor who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract, (v) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (vi) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph or the business entity or nonprofit organization that is the state contractor or prospective state contractor.

(G) “Dependent child” means a child residing in an individual’s household who may legally be claimed as a dependent on the federal income tax return of such individual.

(H) “Managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract” means having direct, extensive and substantive responsibilities with respect to the negotiation of the state contract and not peripheral, clerical or ministerial responsibilities.

(I) “Rendition of services” means the provision of any service to a state agency or quasi-public agency in exchange for a fee, remuneration or compensation of any kind from the state or through an arrangement with the state.

(J) “State contract solicitation” means a request by a state agency or quasi-public agency, in whatever form issued, including, but not limited to, an invitation to bid, request for proposals, request for information or request for quotes, inviting bids, quotes or other types of submittals, through a competitive procurement process or another process authorized by law waiving competitive procurement.

(K) “Subcontractor” means any person, business entity or nonprofit organization that contracts to perform part or all of the obligations of a state contractor’s state contract. Such person, business entity or nonprofit organization shall be deemed to be a subcontractor until December thirty-first of the year in which the subcontract terminates. “Subcontractor” does not include (i) a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or (ii) an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person’s capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

(L) “Principal of a subcontractor” means (i) any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, or has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, a subcontractor, which is a business entity, except for an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, (ii) an individual who is employed by a subcontractor, which is a business entity, as president, treasurer or executive vice president, (iii) an individual who is the chief executive officer of a subcontractor, which is not a business entity, or if a subcontractor has no such officer, then the officer who duly possesses comparable powers and duties, (iv) an officer or an employee of any subcontractor who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a subcontract with a state contractor, (v) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (vi) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph or the business entity or nonprofit organization that is the subcontractor.

(2) (A) No state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or a state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder, or principal of a holder, of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to, or, on and after January 1, 2011, knowingly solicit contributions from the state contractor’s or prospective state contractor’s employees or from a subcontractor or principals of the subcontractor on behalf of (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee;

(B) No state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or a state contract solicitation with or from the General Assembly or a holder, or principal of a holder, of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to, or, on and after January 1, 2011, knowingly solicit contributions from the state contractor’s or prospective state contractor’s employees or from a subcontractor or principals of the subcontractor on behalf of (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of state senator or state representative, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee;

(C) If a state contractor or principal of a state contractor makes or solicits a contribution as prohibited under subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, as determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, the contracting state agency or quasi-public agency may, in the case of a state contract executed on or after February 8, 2007, void the existing contract with such contractor, and no state agency or quasi-public agency shall award the state contractor a state contract or an extension or an amendment to a state contract for one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation. No violation of the prohibitions contained in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision shall be deemed to have occurred if, and only if, the improper contribution is returned to the principal by the later of thirty days after receipt of such contribution by the recipient committee treasurer or the filing date that corresponds with the reporting period in which such contribution was made;

(D) If a prospective state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor makes or solicits a contribution as prohibited under subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, as determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, no state agency or quasi-public agency shall award the prospective state contractor the contract described in the state contract solicitation or any other state contract for one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation. The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall notify applicants of the provisions of this subparagraph and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision during the prequalification application process;

(E) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall make available to each state agency and quasi-public agency a written notice advising state contractors and prospective state contractors of the contribution and solicitation prohibitions contained in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision. Such notice shall: (i) Direct each state contractor and prospective state contractor to inform each individual described in subparagraph (F) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, with regard to such state contractor or prospective state contractor, about the provisions of subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, whichever is applicable, and this subparagraph; (ii) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor of the civil and criminal penalties that could be imposed for violations of such prohibitions if any such contribution is made or solicited; (iii) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor that, in the case of a state contractor, if any such contribution is made or solicited, the contract may be voided; (iv) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor that, in the case of a prospective state contractor, if any such contribution is made or solicited, the contract described in the state contract solicitation shall not be awarded, unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation; and (v) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor that the state will not award any other state contract to anyone found in violation of such prohibitions for a period of one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited, unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation. Each state agency and quasi-public agency shall include in the bid specifications or request for proposals for a state contract, a copy of or Internet link to such notice. No state agency or quasi-public agency shall execute a state contract unless such contract contains a representation that the chief executive officer or authorized signatory of the contract has received such notice; and

(F) (i) Any principal of the state contractor or prospective state contractor submitting a bid or proposal for a state contract shall certify that neither the contractor or prospective state contractor, nor any of its principals, have made any contributions to, or solicited any contributions on behalf of, any party committee, exploratory committee, candidate for state-wide office or for the General Assembly, or political committee authorized to make contributions to or expenditures to or for, the benefit of such candidates, in the previous four years, that were determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission to be in violation of subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, without mitigating circumstances having been found to exist concerning such violation. Each such certification shall be sworn as true to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing the certification, subject to the penalties of false statement. If there is any change in the information contained in the most recently filed certification, such person shall submit an updated certification not later than thirty days after the effective date of any such change or upon the submittal of any new bid or proposal for a state contract, whichever is earlier.

(ii) Each state agency and quasi-public agency shall include in the bid specifications or request for proposals for a state contract a notice of the certification requirements of this subparagraph. No state agency or quasi-public agency shall execute a state contract unless the state agency or quasi-public agency obtains the written certification described in this subparagraph.

(iii) Any principal of the state contractor or prospective state contractor submitting a bid or proposal for a state contract shall disclose on the certification all contributions made by any of its principals to any party committee, exploratory committee, candidate for state-wide office or for the General Assembly, or political committee authorized to make contributions to or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates for a period of four years prior to the signing of the contract or date of the response to the bid, whichever is longer, and certify that all such contributions have been disclosed.

(3) (A) On and after December 31, 2006, neither the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, any candidate for any such office nor any agent of any such official or candidate shall knowingly, wilfully or intentionally solicit contributions on behalf of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, a political committee or a party committee, from a person who he or she knows is prohibited from making contributions, including a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor with regard to a state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder of a valid prequalification certificate.

(B) On and after December 31, 2006, neither a member of the General Assembly, any candidate for any such office nor any agent of any such official or candidate shall knowingly, wilfully or intentionally solicit contributions on behalf of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, a political committee or a party committee, from a person who he or she knows is prohibited from making contributions, including a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor with regard to a state contract solicitation with or from the General Assembly or a holder of a valid prequalification certificate.

(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the campaign of a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor or to a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor who is an elected public official.

(5) Each state contractor and prospective state contractor shall make reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of this subsection. If the State Elections Enforcement Commission determines that a state contractor or prospective state contractor has failed to make reasonable efforts to comply with this subsection, the commission may impose civil penalties against such state contractor or prospective state contractor in accordance with subsection (a) of section 9-7b.

(g) (1) Not later than thirty days after February 8, 2007, each state agency and quasi-public agency shall prepare and forward to the State Elections Enforcement Commission, on a form prescribed by said commission, a list of the names of the state contractors and prospective state contractors with which such agency is a party to a contract, and any state contract solicitations or prequalification certificates issued by the agency. Not less than once per month, each state agency and quasi-public agency shall forward to said commission, on a form prescribed by the commission, any changes, additions or deletions to said lists, not later than the fifteenth day of the month.

(2) Not later than sixty days after February 8, 2007, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall (A) compile a master list of state contractors and prospective state contractors for all state agencies and quasi-public agencies, based on the information received under subdivision (1) of this subsection, (B) publish the master list on the commission’s Internet web site, and (C) provide copies of the master list to treasurers upon request. The commission shall update the master list every month.

(h) The State Contracting Standards Board shall study subcontracts for state contracts and, not later than February 1, 2010, submit proposed legislation for extending the provisions of this subsection to such subcontracts to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections.

(i) (1) As used in this subsection:

(A) “Quasi-public agency” has the same meaning as provided in section 1-120.

(B) “Unclassified service” has the same meaning as provided in section 5-196.

(2) On and after December 31, 2006:

(A) No executive head of a state agency in the executive branch, executive head of a quasi-public agency, deputy of any such executive head, other full-time official or employee of any such state agency or quasi-public agency who is appointed by the Governor, other full-time official or employee of any such state agency or quasi-public agency who is in the unclassified service, or member of the immediate family of any such person, shall make a contribution or contributions (i) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor, in excess of one hundred dollars for each such campaign, or (ii) to a political committee established by any such candidate, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year;

(B) No official or employee of the office of the Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer who is in the unclassified service, or member of the immediate family of any such person, shall make a contribution or contributions (i) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office in which such official or employee serves, in excess of one hundred dollars for each such campaign, or (ii) to a political committee established by any such candidate, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year; and

(C) No member of a caucus staff for a major party in the Senate or House of Representatives, or member of the immediate family of such person, shall make a contribution or contributions (i) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office of state senator or state representative, in excess of one hundred dollars for each such campaign, (ii) to a political committee established by any such candidate, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year, or (iii) to a legislative caucus committee or a legislative leadership committee, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year.