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Bill

A 685

Relates to the disposition of campaign funds raised by an elected official who has been convicted of a crime committed while in public office or has been impeached and convicted or has resigned

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jessica González-Rojas and 3 co-sponsors

Bill A 685 sets rules for how campaign funds are disposed of when an elected official is convicted, impeached and convicted, or resigns.

REFERRED TO ELECTION LAW
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 685

Summary: Bill A 685 — Relates to the disposition of campaign funds raised by an elected official who has been convicted of a crime committed while in public office or has been impeached and convicted or has resigned

Overview

Bill A 685 would establish rules for how campaign funds raised by an elected official are to be disposed of in specific cases where the official’s tenure ends due to wrongdoing. Specifically, the bill addresses situations in which an official has been convicted of a crime committed while in public office, has been impeached and convicted, or has resigned. The intention is to provide a clear framework for handling campaign funds when an official’s term ends under these circumstances.

Purpose and intent

  • Provide explicit guidance on what should happen to a campaign committee’s funds when an elected official is no longer in office due to criminal conviction, impeachment conviction, or resignation.
  • Reduce ambiguity for campaign committees, donors, and state election authorities regarding the disposition of leftover campaign resources in such cases.
  • Align with broader public accountability considerations by defining how funds are managed after misconduct or departure from office.

Key provisions (based on the bill’s title and status)

  • The bill would set rules governing the fate of campaign funds raised by an affected official.
  • Provisions are expected to specify permissible dispositions of funds (e.g., reallocation, charitable donation, return to donors, or other approved uses) once the triggering condition is met.
  • It would establish the mechanism for applying these rules to existing campaign committees and for new campaigns in the future.
  • The bill would operate under the purview of the Election Law framework, indicating enforcement and oversight by relevant election authorities.

Note: The full text of A 685 is not provided here, so the exact language, permissible dispositions, exemptions, and enforcement details are not specified beyond the bill’s general scope as indicated by its title and committee assignment.

Affected parties

  • Elected officials whose campaigns fall under the described triggering scenarios.
  • Campaign committees and treasurers managing funds.
  • Donors to affected campaigns.
  • State election authorities and enforcement bodies responsible for compliance and adjudication.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: January 8, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to Election Law (committee review pending).
  • Legislative actions show the bill being referred on January 8, 2025 (no additional action details provided here).
  • Related bills from prior sessions (for context): A 8371 and A 4314.

Related bills

  • A 8371 (prior-session)
  • A 4314 (prior-session)

Next steps for readers

  • Monitor for committee hearings and amendments in the Election Law committee.
  • Review the full text when available to understand specific disposition options, any donor-consent requirements, timelines, and any exemptions or transitional provisions.
  • Compare with related prior-session bills (A 8371, A 4314) for historical context and potential evolution of the policy.

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

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