No. SB 414
Filed under Elections.
Use of Campaign Funds for Campaign-related Child Care Expenses; Authorizing a candidate to use funds on deposit in his or her campaign account to pay for campaign-related child care expenses under specified conditions; requiring a candidate to maintain specified records for a specified timeframe and provide such records to the Division of Elections upon request; requiring a candidate to disclose the use of campaign funds for campaign-related child care expenses in his or her regular campaign finance reports, etc.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDCampaign accounts are normally off-limits for personal living expenses, with narrow exceptions for travel costs. This bill carves out one more exception: child care costs that exist only because of campaign activities like canvassing, events, debates, or donor meetings.
The exception is narrow: it does not cover routine child care or personal errands, only care a candidate would not otherwise need. Candidates must keep receipts and proof of payment from a licensed provider for at least 3 years after the campaign ends.
These expenses must also show up in the candidate's regular campaign finance reports, with the amounts and dates disclosed publicly, and the Division of Elections can demand the underlying records at any time.
AIA candidate may use money from their campaign account to pay for child care expenses that exist specifically because of campaign activities, an exception to the general ban on personal-expense spending.
AICampaign funds cannot be used for child care needs that would exist regardless of the campaign, such as routine day care or care needed for personal errands.
AIThe bill defines the covered expense narrowly as care tied to specific campaign activity, such as attending events, canvassing, debating, or meeting constituents or donors.
AIA candidate must keep receipts or invoices from the child care provider, along with proof of payment, for at least three years after the campaign ends, for auditing purposes.
AIA candidate must disclose the use of campaign funds for this purpose in their regular campaign finance reports, including the specific amounts and dates.