Code of Massachusetts Regulations 970 CMR - OFFICE OF CAMPAIGN AND POLITICAL FINANCE
Here’s a detailed overview of 970 CMR – Office of Campaign and Political Finance, the Massachusetts administrative regulations governing campaign and political finance:
📘 What is 970 CMR?
This is the Code of Massachusetts Regulations Title 970, containing rules enforced by the Office of Campaign & Political Finance (OCPF) and codified as:
970 CMR 1.00 – Campaign Finance Activity
970 CMR 2.00 – Political Expenditures
970 CMR 3.00 – Rules of Procedure
970 CMR 4.00 – Public Finance Regulations (mass.gov)
Key Highlights by Chapter
🏛 1.00 Campaign Finance Activity
Defines terms like "Political Committee" and when an entity must register (e.g. when contributions exceed thresholds such as $15K or 10% of previous-year revenues) (law.cornell.edu).
Specifies recordkeeping: committees must maintain detailed accounts (bank statements, receipts, canceled checks, etc.) for 6 years and report in-kind contributions with clear purpose statements .
Regulates reporting of debts, late and joint contributions. In-kind debt forgiveness counts as contribution, and settlements must be reported within 30 days (mass.gov).
💵 2.00 Political Expenditures
Governs how political committees (candidate, party, PACs, independent expenditure PACs, “people’s committees”) can spend and raise money (sec.state.ma.us).
Defines coordination rules: if expenditures are coordinated with a candidate, they’re treated as in-kind contributions (subject to limits) versus independent expenditures (sec.state.ma.us).
Reporting deadlines:
Independent expenditures > $250 require filing within 7 business days, and within 24 hours if made within 10 days of an election (sec.state.ma.us).
Joint campaign activity must be cost-allocated and disclosed by participating committees (law.cornell.edu).
🏛 3.00 Rules of Procedure
Covers procedural standards like hearings, appeals, enforcement processes for violations.
🏛 4.00 Public Finance Regulations
Details programs like the Clean Elections (public financing) system, with eligibility, match-tracking, and compliance protocols.
🔍 Where to Find Full Text & Updates
The Mass.gov law library hosts the official 970 CMR, last updated April 11, 2025 (mass.gov).
OCPF provides unofficial PDFs, memos, and guides with helpful interpretive context (ocpf.us).
✅ Why It Matters
Ensures transparency in political fundraising and spending.
Defines who must register and when reporting is required.
Sets disclosure rules for in‑kind contributions, debts, coordination, and public financing.
Would you like me to:
Provide the full PDF link for a specific chapter (e.g. 1.00 or 2.00)?
Summarize any sections more deeply?
Explain registration criteria or spending thresholds in detail?
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