Chapter 11. Electronic Contributions
Regulation .01 Scope.LinkCopy Citation
A.
This chapter applies to all electronic contributions received by a political committee.
B.
For the purposes of this regulation, a credit card contribution made by a person to a political committee is not an electronic contribution.
Regulation .02 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B.
Terms Defined.
(1)
“Common short code” means a unique text message number that may be accessed by an individual through the use of SMS on a wireless communication device or computer.
(2)
“Short message service” or “SMS” means a service that allows the exchange of short text messages between or among wireless communication devices or computers.
Regulation .03 Electronic Contributions.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Electronic Contribution Requirements. As provided in §B of this regulation, a person may make an electronic contribution to a political committee if:
(1)
A record of the name and address of the person is provided to the receiving political committee;
(2)
The person approves and authorizes the contribution;
(3)
The contribution is made using one of the secure methods in §B of this regulation; and
(4)
For contributions made using a common short code:
(a)
The contribution amount is not greater than $10.00 for each transaction;
(b)
The common short code is directly associated with the political committee receiving the contribution; and
(c)
The person receives a confirmation that the transaction occurred.
B.
Method of Electronic Contributions. A political committee may receive an electronic contribution if made by:
(1)
Electronic funds transfer authorized by the contributor and transferred directly from the contributor’s account in a financial institution into the political committee’s campaign account;
(2)
Wire transfer authorized by the contributor and transferred directly from the contributor’s account in a financial institution into the political committee’s campaign account;
(3)
A financial-institution-issued debit card withdrawal authorized by the contributor and transferred directly from the contributor’s account in a financial institution into the political committee’s campaign account by the political committee or by a processing agent of the political committee; or
(4)
An authorized payment for a common short code message associated with a political committee authorized by the contributor through the use of a wireless communication device owned by the contributor and transferred into the political committee’s campaign account by the political committee or by a processing agent of the political committee.
Regulation .04 Campaign Finance Reporting.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Reporting Electronic Contribution. A political committee may not report on a campaign finance report any electronic contribution received by a political committee as a lump sum contribution.
B.
Contribution Reporting Requirements. A political committee shall meet the contribution reporting requirements of COMAR 33.13.02.02A for any electronic contribution received.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Election Law Article, §2-102(b)(4), 13-234, and 13-304(b), Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: April 30, 2012 (39:8 Md. R. 537)