Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0530 - Registry of Election Finance
Here’s an organized overview of Tennessee Rules & Regulations Title 0530 – Registry of Election Finance:
📘 Structure of Title 0530
Ch. 0530‑01‑01 – Campaign Financial Disclosure Rules: §§.01–.15 outline requirements for disclosure, treasurer appointment, bank accounts, loans, in‑kind contributions, PAC duties, single-measure committees, and penalties (law.cornell.edu).
Ch. 0530‑01‑02 – Repealed (publications.tnsosfiles.com).
Ch. 0530‑01‑03 – Campaign Finance Rules: §§.01–.09 cover election definitions, contribution limits, attribution, bookkeeping, independent expenditures, and PAC termination (law.cornell.edu).
Ch. 0530‑02‑01 – Lobbyist Registration & Disclosure: repealed in 2007 (law.cornell.edu).
Highlights from Campaign Financial Disclosure Rules (Ch. 03)
Treasurers & Accounts
Appointment Required: Before funds may be raised or spent, candidates and committees must appoint a treasurer and designate a specific campaign bank account; co-signed reports are required if the candidate isn’t treasurer (tn.gov).
Segregation Mandated: Personal and campaign funds must be kept separate; commingling is a Class 2 offense (tn.gov).
Reporting & Loans
Regular Reports: Candidates must file reports quarterly, pre‑primary/general (7 days prior to an election covering through day −10), post‑general, and runoff statements (tn.gov).
Loans: Campaign loans must be disclosed each reporting period until repaid or converted into a contribution (tn.gov).
In-Kind Contributions & Credit
Valuation Rules: Contributions in goods/services under fair market value must be reported; documentation is required, and notification rules for in-kind transfers exist (regulations.justia.com).
Credit Reporting: Goods/services received on credit must be reported—itemized if over $100; lumped otherwise (scelect.org).
PACs & Fees
Annual PAC Fee: Multicandidate PACs must pay a $100 annual fee unless state party-affiliated (tn.gov).
Single-Measure Committees: Must certify treasurer before receiving/spending; annual reporting continues until all liabilities are cleared (regulations.justia.com).
Campaign Finance Rules (Ch. 03)
Contribution Handling (§.03)
Timing & Attribution: A written check is countable when written; cash upon delivery. Candidate loans for personal living expenses aren’t contributions (regulations.justia.com).
In-Kind Details: Covered in Ch. 01; in-chapter §.03 clarifies valuation and reporting for goods/services .
Additional Topics (§.02–.09)
Include definitions of elections, contribution attribution, treasurer certification, bookkeeping standards, PAC disclosures, coordination rules, and administrative termination (law.cornell.edu).
Agency Authority & Enforcement
Registry Power: The Registry may investigate, subpoena, hold public hearings, assess civil penalties ($25–$750/day late, up to $10 k or 15% of contested amount), and enforce contribution limits (c4integrity.org).
Where to Access the Rules
Official Source:
TN Secretary of State Publications: Ch. 0530‑01‑01 PDF (April 2024 update) (publications.tnsosfiles.com).
TN Registry of Election Finance site provides filings, forms, and Notices (tn.gov).
Secondary Reference: Justia/LII for Ch. 0530 summary and key §.03 and §.08 excerpts (current through early 2025) (regulations.justia.com).
✅ Summary Table
| Chapter | Title | Key Content |
|---|---|---|
| 0530-01-01 | Financial Disclosure Rules | Treasurer/account setup, campaign reports, loans, in-kind rules |
| 0530-01-02 | Repealed | — |
| 0530-01-03 | Campaign Finance Rules | Contribution limits, bookkeeping, coordination, PAC governance |
| 0530-02-01 | Repealed | — |
✅ Actionable Tips
Refer to the April 2024 PDF of Ch. 0530‑01‑01 for complete and updated rules.
Use the Registry’s electronic filing portal to submit reports and obtain current rule changes (tn.gov, publications.tnsosfiles.com, regulations.justia.com, tn.gov).
Keep detailed documentation of in-kind and credit-based transactions to ensure compliance.
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