2.3.1Contributions Made In Excess Of Allowable Limits
A.An individual, candidate/officeholder or entity which makes a contribution to a candidate/officeholder or entity which is in excess of the allowable annual contribution limits shall be subject to the following:
1.Upon determining that an individual, candidate/officeholder or entity has made a contribution (or contributions) to a candidate/officeholder or entity which, in the aggregate, exceeds the allowable annual contribution limits, the individual, candidate/officeholder or entity, as the case may be, shall be issued a warning against making any further contributions which exceed the allowable annual limits, including those contributions which may be made in excess of the allowable annual limits to other candidates/officeholders or entities.
2.Upon determining that an individual, candidate/officeholder or entity, who has previously received a warning from the Board pursuant to § 2.3.1(A)(1) of this Part, has made a contribution (or contributions) to a candidate/officeholder or entity which, in the aggregate, exceeds the allowable annual contribution limits, the individual, candidate/officeholder or entity, as the case may be, shall be issued a second warning against making any further contributions which exceed the allowable annual limits, including those contributions which may be made in excess of the allowable annual limits to other candidates/officeholders or entities.
3.Upon determining that an individual, candidate/officeholder or entity, who has received a second warning from the Board pursuant to § 2.3.1(A)(2) of this Part, has made a contribution (or contributions) to a candidate/officeholder or entity which, in the aggregate, exceeds the allowable annual contribution limits, the individual, candidate/officeholder or entity, as the case may be, shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each contribution(s) made to any candidate/officeholder or entity which exceeds the allowable annual contribution limits.
2.3.2Contributions Received In Excess Of Allowable Limits
A.A candidate/officeholder or entity which accepts contributions in excess of the allowable annual contribution limits shall be subject to the following:
1.Upon determining that a candidate/officeholder or entity has received contributions which, in the aggregate, exceed the allowable annual contribution limits, the candidate/officeholder or entity, as the case may be, shall be issued a warning by the Board of Elections against accepting contributions which exceed the allowable annual limits.
2.Upon determining that a candidate/officeholder or entity, who has previously received a warning from the Board of Elections pursuant to § 2.3.2(A)(1) of this Part, has received contributions which, in the aggregate, exceed the allowable annual contribution limits, the candidate/officeholder or entity, as the case may be, shall be issued a second warning against accepting contributions which exceed the allowable annual limits.
3.Upon determining that a candidate/officeholder or entity, who has received a second warning the from the Board pursuant to § 2.3.2(A)(2) of this Part, has received contributions which, in the aggregate, exceed the allowable annual contribution limits, the candidate/officeholder or entity, as the case may be, shall be fined twenty- five dollars ($25.00) for each contribution received which exceeds the allowable annual contribution limits.
4.Upon determining that a candidate/officeholder or entity, who has been fined pursuant to § 2.3.2(A)(3) of this Part, has received contributions which, in the aggregate, exceed the allowable annual contribution limits, the candidate/officeholder or entity, as the case may be, shall be fined fifty dollars ($50.00) for each contribution received which exceeds the allowable annual contribution limits.
5.Upon determining that a candidate/officeholder or entity, who has been fined pursuant to § 2.3.2(A)(4) of this Part, has received contributions which, in the aggregate, exceed the allowable annual contribution limits, the candidate/officeholder or entity, as the case may be, shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each contribution received which exceeds the allowable annual contribution limits.
B.The fines and penalties established in this section may be issued by the Board or its designee; provided, however, that the Board or its designee may reduce or waive any fines which may be assessed pursuant to this section.
C.Notwithstanding any other provision or requirement of this section, the Board of Elections may, at its sole discretion, take any further action against an individual, candidate/officeholder or entity which it deems appropriate and which may be permitted pursuant to the Rhode Island Campaign Contributions And Expenditures Reporting Act (R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 17-25).
