SECTION 1. Section 18 of chapter 55 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (a) and inserting in place thereof the following:-

(a) by each candidate for nomination or election to the state senate or house of representatives, and by the non-elected political committee organized on behalf of such candidate, on or before: (1) the first Wednesday of each month during the period beginning 6 months preceding a primary and on the first Wednesday of the month following a primary; provided that a report shall not be required to be filed if, under clause (2) of this paragraph, a report is required to be filed within the following 7 days; (2) the eighth day preceding a primary, the eighth day preceding a biennial state election, and, as a final report, the twentieth day of January in the following year complete as to the thirty-first day of December of the prior year; (3) the first Wednesday of each month during the period beginning 3 months preceding a special primary, including a convention or a caucus; provided that a report shall not be required to be filed if, under clause (4) of this paragraph, a report is required to be filed within the following 7 days; (4) the eighth day preceding a special primary, including a convention or a caucus, the eighth day preceding a special election, the thirtieth day following a special election, and, as a final report, the twentieth day of January in the following year complete as to the thirty-first day of December of the prior year.