What's happening
This bill prohibits the use of campaign funds to pay attorney's fees for criminal defense, allowing them only for certain civil actions.
Why it matters
Closes a controversial loophole. By prohibiting the use of campaign funds for criminal defense, the bill addresses ethical concerns that candidates and officials could otherwise use donor money to shield themselves from personal criminal liability, potentially eroding public trust in the political process.
Narrows legitimate uses of campaign funds. The legislation allows campaign funds to cover legal fees only for certain civil actions related to election law (specifically, those under article sixteen), making it clear that contributors’ money should serve campaign-related purposes, not personal legal problems.
May influence candidate behavior and donor confidence. Knowing that campaign funds can no longer be used for criminal defense could deter unethical or illegal behavior by candidates and officials, and reassure donors that their contributions will not be diverted to private legal battles.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Campaign Funds for Defense
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Campaign Funds for Defense
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor John E. Brooks
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5832
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 16, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. LAVINE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to the use of campaign funds to pay attorney's fees
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 14-130 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7 to read as follows:
7. No campaign funds shall be used to pay attorney's fees or any costs for the actual defense of a candidate, public or party official, members of their immediate family or domestic partner under federal criminal indictment. Such funds may only be used exclusively for costs related to civil actions instituted pursuant to article sixteen of this chapter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that the state board of elections shall notify all registered campaign committees of the applicable provisions of this act within thirty days after this act shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08788-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.