In the event the funds generated by the tax credit of § 44-30-2(d) fail to produce sufficient money to meet the requirements of the public financing of the electoral system as set forth in §§ 17-25-19 — 17-25-27, then funds sufficient to meet the levels of the public financing as set forth in this chapter shall be supplied from the general fund of the state treasury. There is appropriated from the general treasury those sums that may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of the public financing of the electoral system, and an amount equal to the total of all maximum amounts of matching public funds available to all party and independent candidates for general office qualifying and electing to receive public funds in an election shall be transferred to the board of elections no later than September 1 of each election year and deposited in a manner that will secure the highest rate of interest available consistent with the safety of the sums and with the requirement that all sums on deposit be available for immediate payment to eligible candidates at any time after the date of the primary election. The state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for transfer of all sums the board deems necessary to comply with this section. There shall also be transferred to the board any additional sums that may be required until the permitted limits are reached. The board shall account for all funds disbursed pursuant to this chapter and transfer upon the conclusion of any election for general office any and all undisbursed sums to the general treasurer for deposit in the general fund by December 1 in any year in which the election is held.
History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 420, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 21, § 3.