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Bill

S 2454

Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act

119th Congress Introduced by Ted Budd and 2 co-sponsors

Bill S 2454 prohibits state funds from reimbursing legal costs for state employees' criminal or civil defenses, protecting taxpayer money from misuse.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2454

Summary of Bill S 2454

Bill Number: S 2454
Title: Prohibits state reimbursement of campaign and political committees and legal defense funds for payments made on behalf of the criminal or civil defense of a state employee
Status: Committed to Rules
Introduced: January 17, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill S 2454 is to prohibit the use of state funds for the reimbursement of campaign and political committees, as well as legal defense funds, for expenses incurred in the criminal or civil defense of state employees. This legislation aims to ensure that taxpayer money is not utilized to cover legal costs associated with personal legal matters of state employees, particularly in cases involving criminal or civil charges.

Key Provisions

  • Prohibition of Reimbursement: The bill explicitly forbids state reimbursement for any payments made by campaign and political committees or legal defense funds that are related to the criminal or civil defense of state employees.

  • Scope of Application: The prohibition applies to all state employees, ensuring that no public funds are used to support legal defenses in personal legal matters.

  • Enforcement Mechanism: The bill outlines the procedures for enforcement, although specific details on enforcement mechanisms are not provided in the summary.

Affected Parties

  • State Employees: The bill directly impacts state employees who may face criminal or civil charges, as they will no longer be able to rely on state funds for their legal defense.

  • Campaign and Political Committees: These entities will also be affected, as they will be prohibited from seeking reimbursement from the state for legal expenses related to state employees.

  • Taxpayers: The legislation is designed to protect taxpayer interests by preventing the misuse of public funds for personal legal matters.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: January 17, 2025 - The bill was referred to the Ethics and Internal Governance Committee for review.

  • Reports and Readings:

    • April 28, 2025: The bill was included in the first report calendar.
    • April 29, 2025: The bill was reported for the second time.
    • April 30, 2025: The bill advanced to the third reading.
    • June 13, 2025: The bill was committed to the Rules Committee for further consideration.

Related Bills

  • S 2262, S 2394, S 295, S 164, S 150: These are prior-session bills that may have similar themes or objectives.
  • A 298: This is a companion bill that may address related issues or provide additional context to the provisions of S 2454.

Conclusion

Bill S 2454 seeks to reinforce ethical standards in the use of state funds by prohibiting reimbursements for legal defenses of state employees. By doing so, it aims to uphold accountability and protect taxpayer interests, ensuring that public resources are not diverted for personal legal matters. The bill is currently under consideration in the Rules Committee following its introduction and subsequent readings.

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

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