Stop Super PAC-Candidate Coordination Act

Clarification of Coordinated Expenditures: The bill defines "coordinated expenditure" to include payments made in cooperation or consultation with a candidate or their agents, which could provide clearer rules for political spending (Section 2(a)).

Exceptions for Media and Debates: It provides that communications appearing in news stories, editorials, or candidate debates are not treated as coordinated expenditures, protecting certain types of public discourse (Section 2(b)(2)).

Protection for Policy Discussions: The bill specifies that discussing legislative or policy positions does not, by itself, constitute coordination, allowing for communication regarding policy matters (Section 2(b)(2)).

Fundraising Restrictions: The bill amends the law to address the solicitation or transfer of funds to political committees that accept donations not complying with Act limitations (Section 3(a)).

Financial Penalties for Violations: Individuals who knowingly violate the Act regarding coordinated expenditures face significant fines, which could be up to 300 percent of the payment amount (Section 2(c)(1)).

Personal Liability for Officials: Directors, managers, or officers of a person violating the Act can be held jointly and severally liable for penalties if they are not paid within a specific timeframe (Section 2(c)(1)).

Strict Definition of Coordinated Spenders: The bill creates a broad definition for "coordinated spender," which includes entities formed at the request of a candidate or those that have retained a candidate's former political or campaign consultants (Section 2(c)(2)).

Elimination of Safe Harbors: The law states that establishing a "firewall" or similar procedures to restrict information sharing will not prevent a person from being determined to have made a coordinated payment (Section 2(b)(4)).