Ordered, that there shall be a campaign finance task force to investigate and analyze the integrity, accountability and fairness of the Commonwealth’s campaign finance laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 55, and Office of Campaign and Political Finance Interpretive Bulletin 88-01 (“OCPF-IB-88-01), as they apply to  organizations identified by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance as organizations that do not raise funds to support or oppose candidates, political action committees, or political parties. The task force shall examine whether the current limitations and provisions governing such organizations provide them with an unfair advantage in the electoral process, independently, and as compared to other participants in that process.

The task force shall consist of: the senate chair of the joint committee on election laws or designee who shall serve as co-chair; and the ranking senate minority member of the joint committee on election laws or designee, who shall serve as co-chair; three additional members of the senate to be appointed by the senate president; and two additional members to be appointed by the minority leader.

The task force shall submit its report and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation, if any, necessary to carry its recommendations into effect, to the clerk of the senate on or before January 1, 2017.