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Pat March’s bill would let candidates use campaign funds for residential security, up to $12,000 a year
Summary
The Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee advanced HB 2045, which would allow candidates and officeholders to spend campaign funds on residential security (including upgrades and temporary security) up to $12,000 annually; the measure passed the subcommittee 7–0 and moves to the State and Local Committee 4.
Pat March, sponsor of HB 2045, told the subcommittee the bill "allows candidates and office holders to use campaign funds for residential security expenses up to $12,000 a year." The measure covers "any security expenses," March said, and could be used to add to or upgrade an existing system. The committee debated retroactivity; March said the provision applies to new security spending or upgrades, not to costs already incurred.
Members asked about specific items that might qualify. Mister Moon asked whether the purchase of a firearm would count as "security;" March said, "It would be in my book," and suggested staff (Doug Himes) could clarify eligibility. Representative Leatherwood asked whether such expenditures would be reported on financial disclosures; March confirmed they must be documented and kept for audit, saying, "You have to have all kind of documentation and keep them in case you're audited." The subcommittee voted 7–0 to advance HB 2045 to the State and Local Committee 4.
