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SB 2334

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES REPORTING

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 9 co-sponsors

Allows campaign funds to pay for verified security expenses for candidates, officeholders, staff, and immediate family, up to $10,000 per individual per campaign cycle, with strict

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · SB 2334

Summary of SB 2334 (Rhode Island) – 2026 Session

Title: An Act Relating to Elections — Safeguarding Election Candidates Using Reasonable Expenditures

Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Bill Type: Senate bill, introduced 2026
Sponsor/Co-sponsors: Senators Gallo, Ciccone, Tikoian, LaMountain, Felag, Burke, Gu, Murray, Bissaillon, Famiglietti; additional co-sponsors listed

Status: As of the latest action, a Substitute A was introduced and referred to committee, with subsequent consideration and scheduling activity noted. The act would take effect upon passage.

1) Main Purpose and Intent

  • Create a new chapter (Chapter 25.4) within Title 17 (Elections) to authorize the use of campaign funds for security-related expenses.
  • Specifically aimed at allowing candidates and elected officials to address threats arising from holding public office or candidacy by funding security measures for themselves, their staff, and their immediate families.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Definitions (17-25.4-3)

  • “Campaign funds”: Funds received in support of a candidate or officeholder, regulated under Rhode Island campaign finance law.
  • “Immediate family”: Spouse, registered domestic partner, or any minor child residing in the candidate/officeholder’s household.
  • “Security expenses”:
    • Purchase, installation, maintenance, and upgrade of physical security equipment (e.g., surveillance cameras, door access controls, locks, alarms, motion detectors) installed by licensed security providers in the state.
    • Monitoring and related services directly associated with such security equipment.

Authorized Uses and Limits (17-25.4-4)

  • Eligible use: Campaign funds may be used for verified security expenses to address security risks to the candidate, officeholder, staff, or immediate family.
  • Financial cap: Up to $10,000 per individual and per campaign cycle may be spent on physical security equipment and installation.
  • Prohibited uses:
    • Purchase of firearms or ammunition
    • Payments to or benefiting family members or entities owned/controlled by family members
    • Unrelated home improvements

Verification, Documentation, and Disclosure (17-25.4-5)

  • Expenditure must be reasonably related to security risks.
  • Recordkeeping and reporting:
    • Expenditures must be reported to the state campaign finance agency per existing rules governing disbursements (Chapter 25).
    • Must be supported by itemized receipts or invoices.
    • Public disclosure required, but sensitive details are limited: plans, designs, or schematics may be redacted.
  • No requirement for documentation of a specific threat or police verification.

Rules and Regulations (17-25.4-6)

  • The Rhode Island Board of Elections will promulgate rules and regulations to implement and enforce this chapter.
  • Rules will include standardized reporting formats and audit procedures.

3) Who or What is Affected

  • Beneficiaries: Candidates for public office and current officeholders who incur security-related risks (and their immediate families and campaign staff).
  • Financial: Campaign funds (as defined by Rhode Island campaign finance law) may be used for approved security expenses within the $10,000 cap.
  • Regulated Community: Campaign finance authorities, specifically the Rhode Island Board of Elections for rulemaking, reporting, and enforcement.
  • Public Interest: Transparency via reporting and public disclosure of security expenditures (with certain sensitive details protected).

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced January 23, 2026; referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs.
  • Committee activity (as of the latest record):
    • April 15, 2026: Committee recommended indefinite postponement and proposed Substitute A to be held for further study.
    • April 14–24, 2026: Proposed Substitute introduced; later meetings scheduled or postponed.
    • April 29, 2026: Meeting postponed.
  • Effective date: To take effect upon passage (immediate effect once enacted and signed into law).

5) Notable Considerations

  • The act creates a clear, limited framework for security-related campaign expenditures, balancing safety needs with safeguards against misuse.
  • The $10,000 per individual/campaign cycle cap, plus prohibitions on firearms, related-party payments, and unrelated home improvements, are intended to prevent abuse.
  • Public disclosure of expenditures supports accountability while shielding sensitive security designs and threat specifics.
  • Implementation and enforcement depend on future rules from the Board of Elections, including audit procedures.

If you’d like, I can convert this into a one-page briefing for stakeholders or provide a comparison with similar provisions in other states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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