25-4181. Violations of campaign finance act; civil fine; limitations on amount; disposition of fines collected; person failing to pay fine ineligible to become candidate; specific performance in lieu of fine prohibited; immunity agreements prohibited, when. (a) The commission, in addition to any other penalty prescribed under the campaign finance act, may assess a civil fine, after proper notice and an opportunity to be heard, against any person for a violation of the campaign finance act in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for the first violation, $10,000 for the second violation and $15,000 for the third violation and for each subsequent violation. Except as otherwise provided, the fine imposed by the commission in any one matter shall not exceed an amount that is triple the applicable fine for a single violation in such matter. In the event the respondent derived pecuniary gain from the specific violations, then, in lieu of the above fine amounts, the fine imposed may be fixed at an amount greater than that provided in this section, but in no event shall such amount exceed double the pecuniary gain derived from the violation by the respondent. Nothing in this section shall prevent the imposition of a separate fine by a court in a criminal proceeding. Whenever any civil fine or penalty is proposed to be assessed against the treasurer of any candidate who is not also the candidate, such notice shall be given to both the treasurer and the candidate prior to the assessment of such fine or penalty. All fines assessed and collected under this section shall be remitted to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the state general fund.

(b) No individual who has failed to pay any civil penalty or civil fine assessed, or failed to file any report required to be filed under the campaign finance act, unless such penalty or fine has been waived or is under appeal, shall be eligible to become a candidate for state office or local office until such penalty or fine has been paid or such report has been filed or both such penalty or fine has been paid and such report filed.

(c) The commission shall not order community service or any other specific performance in lieu of a civil fine as part of a consent decree or final order. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the commission from requiring training regarding or compliance with any provision of this act as part of a consent decree or final order.

(d) The commission shall not enter into any agreement with any person that legally binds the commission from enforcing any law against that person in exchange for the person's cooperation with or assistance of the commission in any matter unless such person has received immunity from criminal prosecution in the same matter from a county or district attorney or the attorney general pursuant to K.S.A. 22-3415, and amendments thereto.

History: L. 1988, ch. 369, § 2; L. 1991, ch. 150, § 18; L. 1995, ch. 203, § 1; L. 1998, ch. 117, § 17; L. 2001, ch. 5, § 92; L. 2023, ch. 23, § 10; April 20.