Missouri Ethics Commission

Campaign Finance Electronic Filing System

Help Document

Updated May, 2014

Options for Terminating a Committee:

• Termination option: Select to terminate a committee between reporting periods. (This will automatically include the Termination Statement and a last full disclosure report.)
• Termination Statement option: Select to terminate a committee at the end of a reporting period. Must also select the report to be filed. (This will include the Termination Statement along with the required report being filed.)

Termination Requirements: (§130.021.8 RSMo)

A campaign committee must terminate the later of either thirty days after the election or upon the satisfaction of all committee debt after the election.

A candidate committee:

• If unsuccessful
  1. If have more money on hand than debt, terminate committee within thirty days of election date; or
  2. If have more debt than money on hand, convert to a debt service committee (change committee type) by Amending Statement of Committee Organization
• If successful
  1. Update election information (future office seeking) by Amending Statement of Committee Organization, before accepting any future contributions; or
  2. Use committee funds for necessary and ordinary expenses in connection with the duties of the office
  3. May terminate committee at any time (or at end of last term)

• Must terminate no later than 18 months after being formed or upon the receipt of a contribution exceeding the amount of the committee’s debt
• Within 30 days of termination, must file a full disclosure report
• Any excess money (after retiring the debt) must be returned to the original contributor, if known, or turned over to the state treasurer
• A Debt Service Committee may not engage in any activity other than retiring committee debt.

Steps to terminating a committee:

• Distribute all excess funds (see restrictions below and use of contributions) and/or satisfy debt.
• File Committee Termination Statement
  1. Within 10 days of committee’s dissolution
  2. With appropriate election authority
  3. Report distribution of any surplus funds
  4. Report disposition of any outstanding debts (if a debt is forgiven, must attach signed statement from creditor)
  5. Provide name, mailing address and telephone number of the person responsible for preserving the committee’s records and reports
  6. Complete full disclosure report reporting through the committee’s date of dissolution (§130.46.7 RSMo)
  7. Close bank account
• Preserve committee records and reports (Must preserve for 3 years and be available for inspection by the Missouri Ethics Commission)

Distribution of Surplus Funds:

§130.034 RSMo - Contributions may be used for any purpose allowed by law including, but not limited to:

• Expenses allowed, incurred and related to a campaign
• Expenses incurred in connection with the duties of an elected office holder
• Expenses associated with the duties of candidacy or of elective office pertaining to the entertaining of or providing social courtesies to constituents, professional associations, or other holders of elective office
• The return of a contribution to the person who made the contribution to the candidate or elected office holder (subject to certain restrictions)
• Contributions to a political organization or candidate committee as allowed by law
• Funds to establish a new committee, defined in Chapter 130 RSMo
• An unconditional gift to any charitable, fraternal or civic organizations or other associations formed to provide for some good in the order of benevolence. The candidate, former candidate or holder of elected office or their immediate family cannot gain a direct financial benefit from the gift.
• Payment of reasonable attorney’s fees accrued by a person (defendant) who is the subject of a complaint and/or investigation arising from holding or running for public office