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Committee hears bill to exempt campaign accounts with more than $1,000 from automatic closure
Summary
HB 24‑50 would exempt candidate campaign accounts from automatic closure rules when the account holds more than $1,000 in liabilities or balance. Proponents argued the change prevents unnecessary disposal of funds for candidates who plan to run again; no opposition testified and the hearing was closed.
The House Committee on Elections opened a hearing on House Bill 24‑50, a proposal to create an exception to rules that require closure of candidate campaign accounts. Mister Revisor summarized the bill as providing that the requirement to close an account would not apply if the account holds more than $1,000 in liabilities or a balance.
Representative Esau testified in support, calling the $1,000 threshold a "reasonable accommodation" for candidates who may want to preserve funds to run again or to address outstanding debts. Representative Brown echoed the view that forced disposal of campaign funds can be arbitrary and noted existing guardrails require proper handling of residual funds.
Committee members asked questions about how many dormant accounts exist and whether mileage or reimbursement practices had previously led to concerns about residual funds; proponents said data on the number of dormant accounts was not immediately available. No opponents or neutral witnesses appeared. The committee closed the hearing and moved on to other business.
