§ 17-25.2-3 - Definitions. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 17-25.2-3

   § 17-25.2-3  Definitions. – As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears from thecontext:

   (1) "Ballot question" means any question, charter change,constitutional amendment, referendum or voter initiated petition placed on anystate, district, city, town or municipal ballot for a general or specialelection.

   (2) "Ballot question advocacy" means advocating the passageor defeat of a ballot question.

   (3) "Ballot question advocate" means any person making anexpenditure with a cumulative total that exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000)in a calendar year for ballot-question advocacy on a particular ballot question.

   (4) "Contributions" means donations to a ballot-questionadvocate in the form of money, gifts, loans, paid personal services, or in-kindcontributions as defined herein.

   (5) "In-Kind Contributions" means the monetary value of otherthings of value or paid personal services donated to any person required tofile reports with the board of elections, except for newsletters and othercommunications paid for and transmitted by an organization to its own membersand not to the general public;

   (6) "Paid personal services" means personal services of everykind and nature, the cost or consideration for which is paid or provided bysomeone other than the ballot-question advocate for whom the services arerendered, but shall not include personal services provided without compensationby persons volunteering their time.

   (7) "Expenditures" means the payment for any goods andservices for the purpose of ballot-question advocacy as set forth in thisparagraph:

   (i) Any media advertising services or products, including,but not limited to, newspapers, radio stations or television stations;

   (ii) General advertising in letters, brochures, flyers,handbills, lawn signs, posters, bumper stickers, buttons or other materialsexcept for newsletters and other communications paid for and transmitted by anorganization to its own members and not to the general public; or

   (iii) Paid personal services donated to any ballot-questionadvocate including advertising agency services or other professional servicesincluding accounting services, printing, secretarial services, public opinionpolls, research and professional campaign consultation or management, mediaproduction or computer services. A written contract, agreement or promise tomake an expenditure, is an expenditure as of the date such contract expenditureor obligation is made.

   (8) "Person" means any individual, partnership, committee,association, corporation, city, town, or other governmental unit and any otherorganization.

   (9) "Election cycle" means the twenty-four (24) month periodcommencing on January 1 of odd number years and ending on December 31 of evennumber years.