H. B. 4416

         (By Delegates Manchin and Miley)

         [By Request of the Secretary of State]

         [Introduced February 3, 2012; referred to the

         Committee on the Judiciary then Finance.]

A BILL to amend and reenact §3-12-1, §3-12-4 and §3-12-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to extending the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That §3-12-1, §3-12-4 and §3-12-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:

ARTICLE 12. WEST VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FINANCING PILOT PROGRAM.

§3-12-1. Short title.

    This article is known as the “West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program.” The pilot program begins with the exploratory period for the 2012 primary election and continues through the 2012 2016 general election. Any components of this article specifically referencing years 2011 or 2012, shall similarly apply to years 2015 and 2016, respectively.

§3-12-4. Alternative public campaign financing option.

    This article establishes an alternative public campaign financing option available to candidates for election to the office of Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals for the 2012 and 2016 primary and general elections. Candidates electing the alternative public campaign financing option shall comply with all other applicable election and campaign laws and rules.

§3-12-17. Expiration of article.

    The provisions of this article shall have no force or effect on or after July 1, 2013 2017. Any moneys remaining in the fund on July 1, 2013 2017, shall be transferred to the General Revenue Fund.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to extend the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program.

    Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.