Brief ⁽¹⁾

SB 114 expands the current law which allows campaign funds to be used for expenses of holding public office to add those expenses incurred by the office holder's spouse when appearing on behalf of, or in conjunction with, the office holder to promote that person's legislative or political agenda.

Background

The bill was sponsored by the Governor's Office. The Chief Legal Counsel of the Governor's Office testified that the bill would correct an inequity in the law that requires the first spouse to pay for expenses for travel to functions where the First Lady appeared with the Governor and participated in events specifically for First Ladies.

The Senate Committee amended the bill to include an exemption for all office holders' spouses.

The fiscal note from the Division of the Budget indicates that the passage of SB 114, before being amended, would have no impact on the State General Fund.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext.cgi