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State Board adopts emergency regulations banning personal use of campaign funds, establishes advisory‑opinion process
Summary
The board approved proposed regulations to implement legislation prohibiting personal use of campaign funds and creating an advisory‑opinion and complaint process; the regulations were filed under emergency procedures due to a short statutory timeline.
The State Board of Elections approved proposed regulations to implement recently enacted legislation that prohibits the personal use of campaign funds and establishes an advisory‑opinion process for candidates and committees. Department staff said the legislation (House Bill 21,65 and Senate Bill 1,002 as cited during the meeting) requires the board to promulgate regulations within a compressed timeframe; staff therefore prepared the rules under the Administrative Process Act’s emergency procedures.
Staff told the board the proposed regulations are modeled on federal regulations but include Virginia‑specific modifications to reflect differences in state law and practice. Staff noted the rule text is intended as guidance rather than an exhaustive list of permitted and prohibited expenditures and that the advisory‑opinion process will resolve discrete questions. Examples discussed in the draft rule language include treatment of aircraft travel and candidate compensation.
The board moved to approve publishing the proposed regulations (1 VAC 20‑90‑51 and 1 VAC 20‑90‑60 as cited in meeting papers) and approved the filing by roll call.
Recorded action: motion to approve proposed personal‑use regulations and proceed under emergency rulemaking procedures; outcome: approved by roll call.
