HB 848

Abstract

Campaign Finance Disclosure Act; unlawful conversionof political contributions to personal use; penalty.Prohibits any person from converting any moneys, securities, or likeintangible personal property that has been contributed to a candidate,a campaign committee, or a political committee to his personal useor the personal use of any other person. A contribution is consideredto be converted to personal use if the contribution, in whole orin part, is used to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expensenot related to the ordinary and necessary expenses related to seeking,holding, or maintaining public office or carrying out the ordinaryactivities of the committee. The bill provides that a violation ofthe prohibition is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Current law prohibits suchconversion of contributions to personal use specifically with regardto disbursement of surplus funds at the dissolution of a campaignor political committee. The bill also requires the State Board ofElections to provide, upon request, formal advisory opinions regardingthe permitted and prohibited uses of contributions and publish suchopinions on the Department of Elections website.