Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1122, sub-§7, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §1122, sub-§9, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, is amended to read:

9. Seed money contribution. "Seed money contribution" means a contribution of no more than $100 per individual made to a candidate, including a contribution from the candidate or the candidate's family. To be eligible for certification, a candidate may collect and spend only seed money contributions subsequent to becoming a candidate as defined by section 1, subsection 5 and throughout the qualifying period. A candidate may not collect or spend seed money contributions after certification as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate. The primary purpose of a seed money contribution is to enable a participating candidate to collect qualifying contributions. A seed money contribution must be reported according to procedures developed by the commission.

Sec. 3. 21-A MRSA §1124, sub-§2, ķA, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, is repealed.

Sec. 4. 21-A MRSA §1125, sub-§§1 and 2, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, are amended to read:

1. Declaration of intent. A participating candidate must file a declaration of intent to seek certification as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate and to comply with the requirements of this chapter. The declaration of intent must be filed with the commission prior to or during the qualifying period, except as provided in subsection 11, according to forms and procedures developed by the commission. A participating candidate must submit a declaration of intent prior to collecting qualifying contributions under this chapter.

2. Restrictions on contributions for participating candidates. Subsequent to becoming a candidate as defined by section 1, subsection 5 and prior to certification, a participating candidate may not accept contributions, except for seed money contributions. A participating candidate must limit the candidate's seed money contributions to the following amounts:

A. Fifty Twenty-five thousand dollars for a gubernatorial candidate;

B. One thousand five hundred Seven hundred and fifty dollars for a candidate for the State Senate; or