2013 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 17 - Elections
Chapter 17-25 - Rhode Island Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting
Section 17-25-19 - Public financing of election campaigns – Outlined.

§ 17-25-19 Public financing of election campaigns – Outlined. – (a) To effectuate the purpose stated in § 17-25-18, public funds shall be made available under the terms and conditions of this section and §§ 17-25-20 – 17-25-27 to qualifying candidates for general office who agree to abide by a limitation on the total amount of campaign contributions received and expenditures made for election purposes.

(b) Candidates for general office shall be eligible to receive two dollars ($2.00) of public funds for each qualified dollar ($1.00) of private funds contributed which do not exceed an aggregate of five hundred dollars ($500) from a single source within an election cycle and one dollar ($1.00) of public funds for each qualified dollar ($1.00) of private funds contributed which exceed an aggregate of five hundred dollars ($500) from a single source within an election cycle but do not exceed the limitations on aggregate contributions which are eligible to be matched set in subdivision 17-25-20(3), subject to the provisions of subdivision 17-25-20(2). The total amount of public funds provided to a candidate shall not exceed seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) in matching funds for a total of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) for candidates for governor; and one hundred eighty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($187,500) in matching funds for a total of three hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($375,000) for candidates for other general offices.

(c) In order to be eligible for matching public funds, each candidate at the time he or she becomes a candidate, as defined in subdivision 17-25-3(2), but no later than 4:00 pm on the last day for filing declarations of candidacy for general office, must sign a statement under oath pledging to comply with the limitations on campaign contributions and expenditures and with all of the terms and conditions set forth in this chapter. Any candidate who fails to file the statement with his or her declaration for office shall be ineligible to receive public funds.

History of Section.
(P.L. 1988, ch. 420, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 21, § 3; P.L. 1994, ch. 78, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 229, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 230, § 1.)