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House panel approves Campaign Integrity Act banning personal use of campaign funds
Summary
The Privileges and Elections subcommittee voted unanimously to advance HB 2,165, the "Campaign Integrity Act," which would define and prohibit the personal use of campaign funds and includes provisions for dependent-care expenses; the measure also incorporates language from HB 1686.
The Privileges and Elections Subcommittee on Campaign Finance voted unanimously 8-0 to report HB 2,165, the Campaign Integrity Act, advancing the legislation to the next stage of consideration.
The bill, presented by Delegate Cole, would prohibit the personal use of campaign funds and define what counts as personal use. "With HB 2,165, we are introducing a ban on the personal use of campaign funds ensuring that every dollar raised for political campaigns is spent transparently and ethically," Delegate Cole said. The bill also includes provisions that preserve campaign spending for dependent-care and certain election-related childcare costs.
Supporters told the committee the change is long overdue and would rebuild trust in state government. Nancy Morgan of Money Out Virginia said Virginians are "appalled" by how campaign funds can currently be used and urged passage. Wes Gobar of Clean Virginia and several grassroots groups told the committee the law would close a gap in Virginia's campaign finance rules and increase public confidence.
Committee members and witnesses referenced the bill's long history: sponsors said this is the 11th year similar legislation has been introduced. Supporters also noted procedural safeguards in the text intended to limit frivolous complaints and preserve confidentiality in enforcement.
Ahead of the committee vote, members approved an administrative consolidation: the subcommittee incorporated HB 1686 into HB 2,165. That incorporation was approved by voice vote earlier in the meeting and was reflected in the bill packet considered by members when they voted to report HB 2,165.
The committee recorded a unanimous 8-0 electronic vote to report the bill. The committee record lists the vote as 8 in favor, 0 opposed. No amendments were recorded on the floor of the subcommittee at the time of the vote.
The bill's supporters cited high-profile national examples of alleged misuse of campaign funds as demonstration of the issue the bill seeks to fix. Delegate Cole said current law allows broad uses of campaign contributions and that HB 2,165 would clarify permissible campaign spending. The bill text, as discussed in the hearing, explicitly exempts legitimate campaign activity and establishes definitions for prohibited personal expenditures.
Next steps: the measure was reported out of the subcommittee and will proceed through the committee process; sponsors and supporters signaled a desire to move it forward this session.
