# COMAR Title 33 — State Board of Elections

## Subtitle 13 — Campaign Financing

### Chapter 11 — Electronic Contributions

**Authority:** Election Law Article, §2-102(b)(4), 13-234, and 13-304(b), Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: April 30, 2012 (39:8 Md. R. 537)

#### Regulation .01 Scope.

*COMAR 33.13.11.01*

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.

*COMAR 33.13.11.02*

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.

*COMAR 33.13.11.03*

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.

*COMAR 33.13.11.04*

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.