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HB 1141

Commingling committee funds.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Karickhoff

HB 1141 makes knowingly or intentionally commingling campaign funds with personal funds a Class A misdemeanor, and raises it to a Level 6 felony if $50,000+ is involved.

Authored by Representative Karickhoff
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Bill Summary · HB 1141

Summary of HB 1141 (Indiana, 2026)

Purpose

HB 1141 revises penalties for commingling funds between a political committee and the personal funds of an officer, member, or associate of the committee. The bill shifts certain conduct from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor, and creates a higher-level felony threshold for larger amounts. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Key Provisions

  • Offense base penalties (new structure effective July 1, 2026):

    • If a person knowingly or intentionally commingles committee funds with the personal funds of an officer, member, or associate, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
    • If a person recklessly violates the applicable statute, the offense remains a Class B misdemeanor.

  • Enhanced penalty for large sums:

    • The offense becomes a Level 6 felony if at least $50,000 of committee funds are commingled with personal funds.

  • Statutory reference: Amends IC 3-14-1-14.5 to implement the above penalties.

Who/What is Affected

  • Subjects of the offense: Officers, members, or associates of a political committee who commingle committee funds with their personal funds (knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly under specified circumstances).
  • Enforcement and adjudication: Local and state criminal courts handling misdemeanor and felony cases related to election or campaign finance issues.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.
  • Process: The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Courts and Criminal Code on January 5, 2026.
  • Jurisdiction: Indiana state law governing elections and campaign finance (IC 3).

Fiscal and Local Impacts (from fiscal note)

  • State penalties and incarceration:
    • Level 6 felony carries a potential prison term of 6 to 30 months, with an advisory sentence around 1 year. Local jail costs are estimated to be modest per inmate when housed in existing facilities.
  • State revenue: Possible increases in fines if cases arise, with maximums of $5,000 for Class A misdemeanors and $10,000 for Level 6 felonies. Criminal fines contribute to the Common School Fund. Court fees per case typically range from around $113 to $138, depending on the court of filing.
  • Local impact: Potentially higher jail and court costs if more cases proceed to trial; revenue to counties and municipalities from court fees may change based on case disposition and court of record vs. municipal filing.

Summary of Impact

HB 1141 strengthens accountability for misusing campaign funds by elevating the penalty for large-scale commingling (over $50,000) to a Level 6 felony and otherwise making the act a Class A misdemeanor when committed knowingly or intentionally. The measure aims to deter improper handling of committee funds and to provide clearer penalties aligned with the seriousness of large financial misappropriation, with effects expected in state and local criminal justice operations and revenue streams.

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

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