CT Exploratory Committee Restrictions on Duration and Contributions
Summary
The Connecticut General Assembly's Government Administration and Elections Committee has introduced SB 465, a bill that would impose new restrictions on exploratory committees in the state. The bill would limit exploratory committees to 30 days of operation, cap individual contributions at $250, and restrict total contributions to $5,000 per committee.
What changed
SB 465 proposes four key restrictions on exploratory committees in Connecticut. First, exploratory committees would be limited to no more than 30 days of operation. Second, individual contributions would be capped at $250 maximum. Third, the total amount of contributions any exploratory committee could receive would be limited to $5,000. Fourth, any public statement by a candidate indicating they are exploring a run for office would automatically trigger the requirement to convert the exploratory committee into a candidate committee.
Political organizations, candidates, and their supporters in Connecticut should monitor this legislation closely. A public hearing was held on March 13, 2026, and the bill was referred to the Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis with comments due by April 7, 2026. If enacted, this bill would significantly constrain the use of exploratory committees for fundraising and campaign planning purposes in Connecticut elections.
What to do next
- Monitor SB 465 progress through Connecticut General Assembly
- Prepare comments for submission by April 7, 2026 deadline if concerned about impact on exploratory committee activities
- Review current exploratory committee practices to assess compliance with proposed $250 contribution cap and 30-day duration limit if bill passes
Source document (simplified)
Raised S.B. No. 465
AN ACT CONCERNING EXPLORATORY COMMITTEES.
To (1) restrict exploratory committees to not more than thirty days of operation, (2) cap the maximum contribution to exploratory committees at two hundred fifty dollars, (3) limit the total amount of contributions exploratory committees may receive to five thousand dollars apiece, and (4) provide that, if a candidate makes any statement that such candidate is exploring a run for a particular office, such statement triggers the requirement to convert an exploratory committee into a candidate committee.
Introduced by:
Government Administration and Elections Committee
| | New today | | 2-4 days old | | 5 days & older |
| | Text of Bill |
| | Raised Bill [doc] |
| | Committee Actions |
| | GAE Joint Fav. Rpt |
| | GAE Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable) |
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Bill History
| | Date | | Action Taken |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | 3/31/2026 | (LCO) | Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/07/26 5:00 PM |
| | 3/23/2026 | (LCO) | Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office |
| | 3/23/2026 | (GAE) | Joint Favorable |
| | 3/9/2026 | | Public Hearing 03/13 |
| | 3/6/2026 | | Referred to Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections |
Co-sponsors of SB-465
Sen. Rob Sampson, 16th Dist. NOTE: Please direct all inquiries regarding the status of bills to the Office of the House Clerk and/or Senate Clerks' Office.
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