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Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 78
BY SENATOR AMEDEE
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs and the
House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs to meet and function as a
joint committee to study and make recommendations with respect to the appropriate
use of campaign funds and to the administration and enforcement of laws within the
jurisdiction of the Board of Ethics.
WHEREAS, the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act (CFDA) requires contributions
received by an elected official to be expended for any lawful purpose; and
WHEREAS, the CFDA prohibits an elected official from using his campaign funds
for expenditures that are not related to the holding of public office; and
WHEREAS, the CFDA prohibits the use of campaign funds for any personal use
unrelated to the candidate's campaign or his holding of public office; and
WHEREAS, the CFDA provides that excess funds may be used for a future
campaign; returned to contributors on a pro rata basis; given as charitable contributions; or
in support of or in opposition to a proposition, political party, or candidate; and
WHEREAS, in years past, the Board of Ethics has issued numerous opinions
regarding the proper use or misuse of an elected official's campaign funds; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, there were systemic changes made to the enforcement of the
laws within the jurisdiction of the Board of Ethics; and
WHEREAS, it is important to evaluate the efficacy of those changes to ensure that
the process is working as effectively and efficiently as possible with appropriate due process;
and
WHEREAS, it is important to review the laws within the jurisdiction of the Board
of Ethics to ensure that there are no legal impediments to proper enforcement of those laws
and inappropriate barriers to public service; and SCR NO. 78 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, it is the legislature's intention to ensure the accurate and consistent
application of the CFDA and to ensure the appropriate enforcement of the laws within the
jurisdiction of the Board of Ethics.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby requests
the members of the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs and the House
Committee on House and Governmental Affairs to meet and function as a joint committee
to study and make recommendations with respect to the appropriate use of campaign funds
and to the administration and enforcement of laws within the jurisdiction of the Board of
Ethics.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the joint legislative committee shall submit
recommendations to the Legislature of Louisiana not later than February 1, 2014.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES