An Independent Expenditure-Only Committee is a campaign committee consisting of one (1) or more persons (including corporations) who receive contributions and make expenditures to support or oppose one (1) or more specific candidates or slate of candidates for nomination or election to state, county, city, or district office without the authorization of any candidate or slate of candidates. The name of a candidate or slate of candidates may not be included in the name of an Independent Expenditure-Only Committee. See
KRS 121.210(4).
An Independent Expenditure-Only Committee must file a Political Committee Registration form (KREF 010 or KREF 010G) with the Registry to provide the necessary information regarding the organization of the committee. The chairperson and the treasurer of the Independent Expenditure-Only Committee, who must be separate persons (see KRS 121.170 (4)), must both sign the form.
An Independent Expenditure-Only Committee is formed for the purpose of making independent expenditures only and is not authorized by a candidate. See discussion in Registry Advisory Opinion 2010-001 and Citizens United v. FEC, 130 S.Ct. 876 (2010). An Independent Expenditure-Only Committee may accept contributions from corporations and is not subject to contribution limits, but may make only independent expenditures. In addition to registration and periodic reporting using the Registry’s Election Finance Statement form (KREF 006), an Independent Expenditure-Only Committee must file a Report of Independent Expenditure form (KREF 013) when the committee’s independent expenditures exceed five hundred dollars ($500) in any one election (See KRS 121.015(12)) for definition of independent expenditure).
Reporting Dates apply to any Independent Expenditure-Only Committee which registers in a year prior to the year in which the committee will commence its activities.
In order to search for specific Independent Expenditure-Only Committee information on the Registry's
Online Searchable Database, under "Other Searches," select "Organization." Enter the Independent Expenditure-Only Committee's name for "Organization Name" and choose "Issues Committee" as the "Organization Type" then select "Search." A list of registered independent expenditure-only committee may be found on the Forms & Lists tab below. This list is periodically updated. For more current information regarding registered independent expenditure-only committee or to request a copy of a specific committee's campaign finance report, you may call the Registry at (502) 573-2226.