Bill to Allow Elected Officials to Use Campaign Funds for Security

On Thursday, a bill that would allow both candidates and elected officials in California to use campaign funds for security passed the state Assembly in a 72-0 vote.

AB 2401 was introduced by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) which would allow for the following:

“authorize a candidate or elected officer to use campaign funds to pay or reimburse the state for the reasonable costs of installing and monitoring a home or office electronic security system or for another tangible item related to security, and for the reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer, provided that the threat or potential threat to safety arises from the candidate’s or elected officer’s activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer. officer or from staff’s position as staff of the candidate or elected officer. The bill would not authorize campaign funds to be used to pay, or reimburse the state, for firearms. The bill would require the return of the security system or other item to the committee that paid for the security system or other item or reimbursement by the candidate, elected officer, immediate family, or staff, to the campaign fund account of the committee that paid for the security system or other item, and reporting of the reimbursement to the Fair Political Practices Commission, or expenditure on the candidate’s or elected officer’s campaign statement, as specified. The bill would require the candidate or elected officer to maintain detailed accounts, records, bills, and receipts relating to an expenditure or reimbursement for security, as specified.”

The bill is a revision to AB 37 last year after Bonta highlighted candidates and elected officials being harassed both in office and on the campaign trail:

AB 37 Vetoed by Newsom:

Back in December 22, Bonta introduced AB 37 to seek improving security for candidates, elected officials, their family and staff.

Under current law, campaign funds can be used to pay for in home or office security systems but that is limited solely for the protection of the candidate or elected official once the threat has been verified by a law enforcement agency.

AB 37 expands on current law by allowing candidates and elected officials to use campaign funds for the protection of themselves, their families, or their staff. This protection includes security systems and security personnel. AB 37 will mirror what is currently allowed on the federal level.

Ultimate, AB 37 was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom on January 3, 2024.