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SB 633

Relating to enrollment in virtual public charter schools; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Daniel Bonham

Requires clear disclosures on solicitations about who benefits and who was paid, plus notices if using a candidate/party name or image.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · SB 633

SB 633 — "Stop Scam PACs Act" (Chapter 313, 2025)

Status: Approved by the Governor (Ch. 313). Effective date: July 1, 2025.
Primary subject: Campaign finance — new disclosure requirements for solicitations by certain political organizations.

Purpose / Intent

To reduce deceptive solicitations that mimic charitable or candidate/party fundraising by requiring clearer on‑solicitation disclosures about who benefits from donations and to whom the solicitor has recently paid funds. Also creates an administrative enforcement pathway for the State Board of Elections.

Key provisions

  • Definitions: “Solicitation” = a request for contributions or donations disseminated through any medium. “Disbursement” includes independent expenditures, electioneering communications, and certain political disbursements as set out in the bill.
  • Applicability: Applies to persons required to file reports under Maryland law for independent expenditures/electioneering communications (Art. — §§13‑306, 13‑307, 13‑309.2) and to PACs that (a) are not affiliated with a corporation or labor organization and (b) exclusively make independent expenditures or electioneering communications.
  • Candidate/party name/image disclaimer: If a solicitor uses a candidate’s or political party’s name, image, or likeness when soliciting for that candidate/party, the solicitation must clearly and conspicuously include this disclaimer (or a substantially similar one): “THE (NAME, IMAGE, OR LIKENESS) OF (NAME OF CANDIDATE OR POLITICAL PARTY) ON THIS SOLICITATION IS INCLUDED WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OR PERMISSION OF (NAME OF CANDIDATE OR POLITICAL PARTY), AND DOES NOT IMPLY AUTHORIZATION OR APPROVAL BY (NAME OF CANDIDATE OR POLITICAL PARTY).”
  • Recipient disclosures for political/electoral solicitations: If a solicitation appears to be for an electoral or political purpose, the solicitor must prominently disclose the five recipients to which the solicitor made the largest expenditures or disbursements during the immediately preceding calendar quarter and the total amount sent to each recipient.
  • Records & formality: Required disclosures must be clear and conspicuous on each solicitation; reporting/filing obligations mirror existing campaign reporting structures.

Enforcement & penalties

  • The State Administrator of Elections (or designee) may investigate suspected violations, issue subpoenas (subject to finding of necessity), notify subjects, and provide opportunity to be heard at a public State Board meeting.
  • At investigation conclusion the State Board must issue a public report and may (a) bar a violator from soliciting contributions/donations for a period determined by the Board, and/or (b) impose a civil penalty up to $10,000 (assessed per §13‑604.1).
  • The bill specifies that violations are not subject to the criminal penalty under §13‑603, the civil penalty under §13‑604, nor investigation by the State Prosecutor (it creates this distinct enforcement path).
  • The Board may adopt implementing regulations.

Fiscal impact (per fiscal note)

  • General fund expenditures increase: approximately $106,800 in FY 2026 with ongoing annual costs (FY 2027 estimate ~$96,900; later years in similar range).
  • Special fund revenues may increase from assessed civil penalties; penalty revenues are directed under existing statute (e.g., Fair Campaign Financing Fund mechanisms).

Who is affected

  • Political committees, PACs, outside spenders, and other persons who make reportable independent expenditures, electioneering communications, or political disbursements in Maryland.
  • Solicitation recipients and the public — will receive clearer on‑piece information about who benefits from and who has been paid by soliciting entities.

Implementation / timeline

  • Effective July 1, 2025.
  • State Board of Elections may promulgate regulations and will implement investigatory and reporting procedures thereafter.

Legislative notes

  • Passed both chambers and approved by the Governor as Chapter 313 (2025). Companion bills: HB 760, HB 906.

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

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