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Bill

HD 2216

An Act authorizing cities and towns to provide for citizen-funded election campaigns

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Connolly

HD 2216: An Act authorizing cities and towns to provide for citizen-funded election campaigns OverviewBill Number: HD 2216 Title: An Act authorizing cities and towns to provide fo

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Bill Summary · HD 2216

HD 2216: An Act authorizing cities and towns to provide for citizen-funded election campaigns

Overview

Bill Number: HD 2216
Title: An Act authorizing cities and towns to provide for citizen-funded election campaigns
Status: Proposed bill
Introduced: November 29, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of this bill is to empower municipalities to establish voluntary public financing programs for local elections. The intent is to reduce the influence of private money in politics and promote greater participation and representation in the democratic process.

Key Provisions

  • Authorizes cities and towns to create citizen-funded election campaign programs
  • Allows municipalities to provide public matching funds for small-dollar contributions from local residents
  • Establishes eligibility criteria and spending limits for candidates who opt into the public financing system
  • Requires participating candidates to agree to restrictions on private fundraising and spending
  • Directs the state to provide guidance, technical assistance, and partial funding to support municipal public financing programs

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Candidates for municipal offices (e.g. mayor, city council) would have the option to participate in the public financing system
  • Local residents and voters would have increased opportunities to directly support candidates through small-dollar contributions
  • Municipalities that choose to implement public financing programs would need to allocate funding and establish administrative processes
  • Private donors and special interests may have reduced influence in local elections under the new system

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

This bill has been introduced in the state legislature and is currently under consideration in the Joint Committee on Election Laws. If passed, the law would take effect 90 days after enactment, allowing cities and towns time to design and implement their own public financing programs. The first elections using these new systems would likely occur in the 2027 municipal election cycle.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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