The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office issued updated guidance related to the state’s campaign finance law.

The guidance clarifies the effects of House Bill 263, which went into effect on September 28, 2021 and finds that under the updated law, there is no contribution limit on the amount of money political advocacy organizations (commonly called PACs) can receive or contribute.

Additionally, though candidates were previously able to establish PACs and fundraise through them, the new guidance prohibits candidates from doing so in the future.

Candidates who registered PACs prior to September 28, 2021 may use the receipts obtained by those committees, but as of that date no new PACs may be established by candidates.

Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 1007, creating contribution limits under the Fair Campaign Practices Act for county office candidates.

Current campaign finance law does not set limits on contributions to candidates for county office.

The bill defines county office as a county commissioner, county clerk and recorder, sheriff, corner, treasurer, assessor, or surveyor.

The maximum aggregate contributions a person may make to a candidate for county office under the bill includes $1,250 for the primary election and $1,250 for the general election.

Additionally, small donor committees may contribute $12,500 in the primary election and $12,500 in the general election.

The bill will take effect August 2, provided adjournment sine die of the General Assembly is on May 3, 2019.

If, however, a referendum petition is filed, the bill would not take effect unless approved by voters in the November 2020 general election.