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Committee hears testimony supporting bill allowing campaign funds for reasonable security costs
Summary
Witnesses from ADT and the Electronic Security Association urged the Senate rules committee to pass HB 40 17, which would clarify that campaign and officeholder committees may use campaign funds for reasonable, documented security expenses tied to candidacy or holding public office.
The Senate Committee on Rules held a public hearing on House Bill 40 17, which would permit contributions to a candidate's principal campaign committee or officeholder committee to pay for reasonable security-related expenses tied to the person's role as a candidate or public official.
Ryan Gleason, representing ADT Home Security and the Electronic Security Association, testified the bill "simply provides statutory clarity that reasonable, documented security expenses are allowable uses of campaign dollars," and said the measure was developed in cooperation with the Oregon Secretary of State's office. Taylor Criddle of the Electronic Security Association told the committee the bill is "narrowly tailored," applying to alarm systems, cameras, access control and monitoring services and preserving Oregon's transparency and reporting requirements.
Committee members asked whether the terms "candidate" and "public official" are meant broadly; witnesses answered that the bill covers candidates for any public office and public officials generally. Members also asked whether the bill defines "reasonable"; the witnesses said the bill does not define that term and that the Secretary of State's office has rulemaking authority and would incorporate guidance into the campaign finance manual if the bill moves forward.
The bill text includes an emergency clause to make provisions effective upon passage, according to staff. No committee vote was recorded during the hearing.
Supporters said the clarification addresses a growing safety concern for elected officials and candidates and aligns Oregon with several other states that allow similar uses of campaign funds. Opponents were not recorded in the hearing transcript.
