AB 590

This bill provides that whenever an interested contributor makes a political

contribution to a court of appeals, circuit, or municipal judge or supreme court justice

in a pending civil or criminal action or proceeding over which the judge or justice is

presiding, or to the personal campaign or authorized support committee of a judge

or justice, the contributor must, within five days of the date that the contribution is

made, notify the judge or justice and every party other than the interested

contributor to the action or proceeding, in writing, of the fact that the contribution

has been made and the date and amount of the contribution. The bill defines an

"interested contributor" as a party to a pending civil or criminal action or proceeding;

an affiliate of such a party; a spouse, minor child, or minor stepchild of such a party;

an attorney representing such a party; or the law firm, partner, or associate of such

an attorney.

Currently, there is no similar requirement. However, the recipient of a political

contribution, as well as any contributor that also accepts contributions, is subject to

registration and periodic reporting requirements, with certain exceptions.

Violators of the reporting requirement created by the bill are subject to a

forfeiture (civil penalty) of not more than $500 for each violation.