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Bill would allow lawmakers to display previous campaign memorabilia in legislative offices
Summary
Senate Bill 5842 would exempt display of inactive campaign memorabilia within a legislative office from public‑resource prohibitions; the sponsor said the bill clarifies ambiguity and prevents potential ethics enforcement when displays are historical rather than active campaigning. Staff and members discussed wording to define 'previous campaign.'
Senate Bill 5842 would exempt the display of previous campaign memorabilia in legislative offices from the general prohibition on using public facilities for campaign purposes. Committee staff described the measure as narrowly limited to memorabilia used for historical, commemorative or decorative purposes when a campaign is no longer active.
Sponsor Senator Wagner said the intent is to provide a bright‑line rule so lawmakers may keep nostalgic or historical items—buttons, signs, flyers and the like—in their offices without risking an ethics violation. "I thought if we had a clear kind of line in the sand that would allow it," he said, adding that many members keep memorabilia from prior campaigns as reminders of promises and public service.
Members raised practical questions about ambiguity in the phrase "previous campaign," whether chronological markers (a year on a sign) should determine status, and whether wearing campaign buttons or possessing campaign mugs in a public facility would be covered. Staff noted an enforcement precedent in which visible memorabilia during remote floor participation produced an ethics finding; they also said the legislative ethics board retains enforcement authority and that some language refinements could reduce ambiguity.
The prime sponsor indicated willingness to work with staff on revised language to clarify what qualifies as a previous campaign and to avoid creating unintended loopholes. The public sign‑in sheet showed one person in favor and 10 against at the hearing. The committee closed the item with no vote; the sponsor and staff expect to refine language before executive action.
