Louisiana 2014 2014 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB1079 Introduced / Bill

                    HLS 14RS-1802	ORIGINAL
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are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 1079
BY REPRESENTATIVES TIM BURNS AND MILLER
CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Provides relative to the reporting of expenditures of campaign
funds
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 18:1491.7(B)(13) and 1495.5(B)(12), relative to expenditures of2
campaign funds; to require an explanation of the purpose of each expenditure; and3
to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1.   R.S. 18:1491.7(B)(13) and 1495.5(B)(12) are hereby amended and6
reenacted to read as follows:7
§1491.7.  Reports; contents8
*          *          *9
B. Each report required to be in conformity with this Section shall contain10
the following information:11
*          *          *12
(13) The full name and address of each person to whom an expenditure has13
been made by the committee during the reporting period.  The amount of each14
expenditure, a detailed explanation of the purpose of each expenditure, containing15
sufficient information to relate the expenditure to an acceptable use as provided in16
R.S. 18:1505.2(I), and the date of each such expenditure, and the name and address17
of and office sought by candidates on whose behalf each such expenditure was made18
shall be reported. A brief description of an in-kind expenditure shall be given, as19
well as the valuation made by the chairman and the campaign treasurer and the20 HLS 14RS-1802	ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1079
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date(s) of the expenditure. When multiple expenditures have been made to the same1
person during the reporting period, the aggregate amount of such expenditures, other2
than in-kind expenditures, and the aggregate valuation of in-kind expenditures shall3
be reported for each such person. The aggregate of all expenditures made during the4
reporting period, other than in-kind expenditures, and the aggregate valuation of all5
in-kind expenditures shall also be reported.  The aggregate amount expended for6
each candidate shall also be reported.7
*          *          *8
§1495.5.  Reports; contents9
*          *          *10
B. Each report required to be in conformity with this Section shall contain11
the following information:12
*          *          *13
(12) The full name and address of each person to whom an expenditure has14
been made by the candidate during the reporting period.  The amount of each15
expenditure, a detailed explanation of the purpose of each expenditure, containing16
sufficient information to relate the expenditure to an acceptable use as provided in17
R.S. 18:1505.2(I), and the date of each such expenditure shall be reported.  A brief18
description of an in-kind expenditure shall be given, as well as the valuation made19
by the candidate and the campaign treasurer and the date(s) of the expenditure.20
When multiple expenditures have been made to the same person, during the21
reporting period, the aggregate amount of such expenditures, other than in-kind22
expenditures, and the aggregate valuation of in-kind expenditures shall be reported23
for each such person. The aggregate of all expenditures made during the reporting24
period, other than in-kind expenditures, and the aggregate valuation of all in-kind25
expenditures shall also be reported.  The aggregate amount expended for each26
candidate shall also be reported.27
*          *          *28
Section 2.  This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2015.29 HLS 14RS-1802	ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1079
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are additions.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.  [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Tim Burns	HB No. 1079
Abstract: Requires the report of each campaign expenditure to include a detailed
explanation of the purpose of each expenditure containing sufficient information to
relate the expenditure to an acceptable use.
Present law (Campaign Finance Disclosure Law) requires political committees, candidates,
and other persons to file reports disclosing contributions, expenditures, receipts,
disbursements, and other specified information.  Present law (R.S. 18:1505.2(I)) permits a
candidate or a political committee to expend campaign contributions for any lawful purpose,
but prohibits the use, loan, or pledging of such funds by any person for personal use
unrelated to a political campaign, the holding of a public office or party position, or, in the
case of a political committee other than a candidate's principal campaign committee or
subsidiary committee, the administrative costs or operating expenses of the political
committee.  Provides that excess campaign funds may be returned to contributors on a pro
rata basis; given as a charitable contribution as provided in federal law (26 U.S.C. 170(c));
given to a charitable organization as defined in federal law (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)); expended
in support of or in opposition to a proposition, political party, or candidacy of any person;
or maintained in a segregated fund for use in future political campaigns or activity related
to preparing for future candidacy to elective office. Present law prohibits campaign funds
from being used to pay a fine, fee, or penalty imposed pursuant to the Code of Governmental
Ethics and prohibits a candidate from using campaign funds to make any payment or
expenditure to an immediate family member, with specified exceptions. Present law does
not apply to campaign funds received prior to July 15, 1988.
Present law (R.S. 18:1491.7(B)(13) and 1495.5(B)(12)) relative to the disclosure of
expenditures, requires that the amount, purpose, and date of each such expenditure be
reported and requires that political committees include the name and address of and office
sought by candidates on whose behalf each such expenditure was made.
Proposed law further requires that a detailed explanation of the purpose of each expenditure,
containing sufficient information to relate the expenditure to an acceptable use as provided
in present law (R.S. 18:1505.2(I)), be reported.
Effective Jan. 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 18:1491.7(B)(13) and 1495.5(B)(12))