AB 137

This bill provides that whenever an interested contributor makes a

contribution to the candidate committee of 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, 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

campaign finance 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.