23 LC 47 2024
S. B. 89
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Senate Bill 89
By: Senators Merritt of the 9th, Dolezal of the 27th, Strickland of the 17th, Esteves of the
6th, Islam of the 7th and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ethics
1
in government, so as to provide that child care and other caregiving services associated with2
a candidate's campaign constitute ordinary and necessary expenses of a campaign; to provide3
for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other4
purposes.5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
SECTION 1.7
Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ethics in8
government, is amended in Code Section 21-5-3, relating to definitions, by revising9
paragraph (18) and adding a new paragraph to read as follows:10
"(4.1) 'Caregiving services' means direct care, protection, and supervision of a child or
11
other person with a disability or medical condition for whom a candidate has direct12
caregiving responsibility."13
"(18) 'Ordinary and necessary expenses' shall include, but shall not be limited to,14
expenditures made during the reporting period for qualifying fees,; office costs and rent,;15
lodging,; equipment,; travel,; advertising,; postage,; staff salaries,; consultants,; files16
storage,; polling,; special events,; volunteers, ; reimbursements to volunteers,; repayment17 23 LC 47 2024
S. B. 89
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of any loans received except as restricted under subsection (i) of Code Section 21-5-41,;18
contributions to nonprofit organizations,; flowers for special occasions, which shall19
include, but are not limited to, birthdays and funerals,; attorney fees connected to and in20
the furtherance of the campaign,; caregiving services in direct connection with the21
candidate's campaign activity; and all other expenditures contemplated in Code22
Section 21-5-33."23
SECTION 2.24
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law25
without such approval.26
SECTION 3.27
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.28