AB 2655: Campaign funds: security expenses: security personnel.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2026-07-13
Current Status:
Passed
(2026-07-13: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 78, Statutes of 2026.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
The Political Reform Act of 1974 regulates the use of campaign funds held by candidates for elective office, elected officers, and campaign committees. The act authorizes the use of campaign funds to pay or reimburse the state for security expenses to protect a candidate, an elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer, as specified. The act defines security expenses to include, among other things, the reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer. The act permits a candidate or elected officer to expend campaign funds for these purposes without any monetary cap until January 1, 2029.
This bill would limit the use of campaign funds to pay for security personnel to only those instances where the security personnel hold the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
The Political Reform Act of 1974 regulates the use of campaign funds held by candidates for elective office, elected officers, and campaign committees. The act authorizes the use of campaign funds to pay or reimburse the state for security expenses to protect a candidate, an elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer, as specified. The act defines security expenses to include, among other things, the reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer. The act permits a candidate or elected officer to expend campaign funds for these purposes without any monetary cap until January 1, 2029.
This bill would limit the use of campaign funds to pay for security personnel to only those instances where the security personnel hold the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
The Political Reform Act of 1974 regulates the use of campaign funds held by candidates for elective office, elected officers, and campaign committees. The act authorizes the use of campaign funds to pay or reimburse the state for security expenses to protect a candidate, an elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer, as specified. The act defines security expenses to include, among other things, the reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer. The act permits a candidate or elected officer to expend campaign funds for these purposes without any monetary cap until January 1, 2029.
This bill would limit the use of campaign funds to pay for security personnel to only those instances where the security personnel hold the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
(a)(1)For purposes of this section, security expenses include all of the following:
(A)The reasonable costs of installing and monitoring a home or office electronic security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(B)The reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(C)Any other tangible item related to security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(2)Security expenses do not include either of the following:
(A)Payments to the candidates or elected officers spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person.
(B)Payments for a firearm.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding Section 89517, campaign funds may be used to pay, or reimburse the state, for security expenses to protect a candidate, an 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 candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer or from staffs position as staff of the candidate or elected officer.
(2)(A)A candidate or elected officer may expend campaign funds pursuant to this section without any monetary cap until January 1, 2029.
(B)Beginning January 1, 2029, a candidate or elected officer may expend up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) of campaign funds pursuant to this section per calendar year. This limit applies regardless of the number of offices the candidate or elected officer seeks or holds.
(3)Campaign funds may be used to pay security personnel pursuant to this section only if the security personnel hold the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
(c)(1)If a committee uses campaign funds to pay, or reimburse the state, for the costs of installing a home or office electronic security system or for any other tangible item related to security, either the security system or other item shall be returned to the committee or reimbursement for the security system or other item shall be made to the campaign fund account of the committee that paid for the security system or other item, pursuant to the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the elected officer leaves the office for which the security system or other tangible item related to security was purchased or when the candidate is no longer a candidate for the office for which the security system or other item was purchased, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(B)If there is a continuing threat to the physical safety of the candidate or elected officer, the threat arises from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer, and the threat has been reported to and verified by an appropriate law enforcement agency, return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the threat verified by the law enforcement agency ceases, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(3)The amount of the reimbursement shall be the fair market value of the security system or other tangible item related to security at the time that reimbursement is paid or due pursuant to paragraph (2), whichever occurs sooner. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, a candidate or elected officer, the candidate or elected officer shall pay the reimbursement. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, immediate family or staff, either the candidate or elected officer, or the immediate family or staff, shall pay the reimbursement.
(d)The immediate family or staff of the candidate or elected officer shall not be personally liable for reimbursement for expenditures for security expenses pursuant to this section.
(e)(1)The candidate or elected officer shall report an expenditure pursuant to subdivision (b) and a reimbursement pursuant to subdivision (c) on the candidates or elected officers campaign statement filed pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 84200) of Chapter 4.
(2)With each report described in paragraph (1), the candidate or elected officer shall also submit a form to the Commission, in a manner prescribed by the Commission and signed under penalty of perjury, that describes and verifies the threat or potential threat to the candidate or elected officer, or to their immediate family or staff, that arose from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer and that necessitated the expenditure or reimbursement.
(3)As part of the recordkeeping requirements in Section 84104, the candidate or elected officer shall maintain detailed accounts, records, bills, and receipts relating to an expenditure or reimbursement described in paragraph (1), including records providing evidence of the threat or potential threat to safety that gave rise to the need for the expenditure.
SEC. 2.Section 89517.5 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1.5 of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:89517.5.(a)(1)For purposes of this section, security expenses include all of the following:
(A)The reasonable costs of installing and monitoring a home or office electronic security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(B)The reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(C)Any other tangible item related to security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(2)Security expenses do not include either of the following:
(A)Payments to the candidates or elected officers spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person.
(B)Payments for a firearm.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding Section 89517, campaign funds may be used to pay, or reimburse the state, for security expenses to protect a candidate, an 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 candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer or from staffs position as staff of the candidate or elected officer.
(2)(A)A candidate or elected officer may expend campaign funds pursuant to this section without any monetary cap until January 1, 2029.
(3)Campaign funds may be used to pay security personnel pursuant to this section only if the security personnel holds the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
(B)Beginning January 1, 2029, a candidate or elected officer may expend up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) of campaign funds pursuant to this section per calendar year. This limit applies regardless of the number of offices the candidate or elected officer seeks or holds.
(c)(1)If a committee uses campaign funds to pay, or reimburse the state, for the costs of installing a home or office electronic security system or for any other tangible item related to security, either the security system or other item shall be returned to the committee or reimbursement for the security system or other item shall be made to the campaign fund account of the committee that paid for the security system or other item, pursuant to the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the elected officer leaves the office for which the security system or other tangible item related to security was purchased or when the candidate is no longer a candidate for the office for which the security system or other item was purchased, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(B)If there is a continuing threat to the physical safety of the candidate or elected officer, the threat arises from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer, and the threat has been reported to and verified by an appropriate law enforcement agency, return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the threat verified by the law enforcement agency ceases, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(3)The amount of the reimbursement shall be the fair market value of the security system or other tangible item related to security at the time that reimbursement is paid or due pursuant to paragraph (2), whichever occurs sooner. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, a candidate or elected officer, the candidate or elected officer shall pay the reimbursement. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, immediate family or staff, either the candidate or elected officer, or the immediate family or staff, shall pay the reimbursement.
(d)The immediate family or staff of the candidate or elected officer shall not be personally liable for reimbursement for expenditures for security expenses pursuant to this section.
(e)(1)The candidate or elected officer shall report an expenditure pursuant to subdivision (b) and a reimbursement pursuant to subdivision (c) on the candidates or elected officers campaign report filed pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 84200) of Chapter 4.
(2)With each report described in paragraph (1), the candidate or elected officer shall also submit a form to the Commission, in a manner prescribed by the Commission and signed under penalty of perjury, that describes and verifies the threat or potential threat to the candidate or elected officer, or to their immediate family or staff, that arose from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer and that necessitated the expenditure or reimbursement.
(3)As part of the recordkeeping requirements in Section 84104, the candidate or elected officer shall maintain detailed accounts, records, bills, and receipts relating to an expenditure or reimbursement described in paragraph (1), including records providing evidence of the threat or potential threat to safety that gave rise to the need for the expenditure.
SEC. 3.The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
(a)(1)For purposes of this section, security expenses include all of the following:
(A)The reasonable costs of installing and monitoring a home or office electronic security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(B)The reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(C)Any other tangible item related to security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(2)Security expenses do not include either of the following:
(A)Payments to the candidates or elected officers spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person.
(B)Payments for a firearm.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding Section 89517, campaign funds may be used to pay, or reimburse the state, for security expenses to protect a candidate, an 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 candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer or from staffs position as staff of the candidate or elected officer.
(2)(A)A candidate or elected officer may expend campaign funds pursuant to this section without any monetary cap until January 1, 2029.
(B)Beginning January 1, 2029, a candidate or elected officer may expend up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) of campaign funds pursuant to this section per calendar year. This limit applies regardless of the number of offices the candidate or elected officer seeks or holds.
(3)Campaign funds may be used to pay security personnel pursuant to this section only if the security personnel hold the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
(c)(1)If a committee uses campaign funds to pay, or reimburse the state, for the costs of installing a home or office electronic security system or for any other tangible item related to security, either the security system or other item shall be returned to the committee or reimbursement for the security system or other item shall be made to the campaign fund account of the committee that paid for the security system or other item, pursuant to the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the elected officer leaves the office for which the security system or other tangible item related to security was purchased or when the candidate is no longer a candidate for the office for which the security system or other item was purchased, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(B)If there is a continuing threat to the physical safety of the candidate or elected officer, the threat arises from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer, and the threat has been reported to and verified by an appropriate law enforcement agency, return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the threat verified by the law enforcement agency ceases, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(3)The amount of the reimbursement shall be the fair market value of the security system or other tangible item related to security at the time that reimbursement is paid or due pursuant to paragraph (2), whichever occurs sooner. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, a candidate or elected officer, the candidate or elected officer shall pay the reimbursement. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, immediate family or staff, either the candidate or elected officer, or the immediate family or staff, shall pay the reimbursement.
(d)The immediate family or staff of the candidate or elected officer shall not be personally liable for reimbursement for expenditures for security expenses pursuant to this section.
(e)(1)The candidate or elected officer shall report an expenditure pursuant to subdivision (b) and a reimbursement pursuant to subdivision (c) on the candidates or elected officers campaign statement filed pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 84200) of Chapter 4.
(2)With each report described in paragraph (1), the candidate or elected officer shall also submit a form to the Commission, in a manner prescribed by the Commission and signed under penalty of perjury, that describes and verifies the threat or potential threat to the candidate or elected officer, or to their immediate family or staff, that arose from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer and that necessitated the expenditure or reimbursement.
(3)As part of the recordkeeping requirements in Section 84104, the candidate or elected officer shall maintain detailed accounts, records, bills, and receipts relating to an expenditure or reimbursement described in paragraph (1), including records providing evidence of the threat or potential threat to safety that gave rise to the need for the expenditure.
SEC. 2.Section 89517.5 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1.5 of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:89517.5.(a)(1)For purposes of this section, security expenses include all of the following:
(A)The reasonable costs of installing and monitoring a home or office electronic security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(B)The reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(C)Any other tangible item related to security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(2)Security expenses do not include either of the following:
(A)Payments to the candidates or elected officers spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person.
(B)Payments for a firearm.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding Section 89517, campaign funds may be used to pay, or reimburse the state, for security expenses to protect a candidate, an 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 candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer or from staffs position as staff of the candidate or elected officer.
(2)(A)A candidate or elected officer may expend campaign funds pursuant to this section without any monetary cap until January 1, 2029.
(3)Campaign funds may be used to pay security personnel pursuant to this section only if the security personnel holds the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
(B)Beginning January 1, 2029, a candidate or elected officer may expend up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) of campaign funds pursuant to this section per calendar year. This limit applies regardless of the number of offices the candidate or elected officer seeks or holds.
(c)(1)If a committee uses campaign funds to pay, or reimburse the state, for the costs of installing a home or office electronic security system or for any other tangible item related to security, either the security system or other item shall be returned to the committee or reimbursement for the security system or other item shall be made to the campaign fund account of the committee that paid for the security system or other item, pursuant to the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the elected officer leaves the office for which the security system or other tangible item related to security was purchased or when the candidate is no longer a candidate for the office for which the security system or other item was purchased, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(B)If there is a continuing threat to the physical safety of the candidate or elected officer, the threat arises from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer, and the threat has been reported to and verified by an appropriate law enforcement agency, return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the threat verified by the law enforcement agency ceases, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(3)The amount of the reimbursement shall be the fair market value of the security system or other tangible item related to security at the time that reimbursement is paid or due pursuant to paragraph (2), whichever occurs sooner. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, a candidate or elected officer, the candidate or elected officer shall pay the reimbursement. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, immediate family or staff, either the candidate or elected officer, or the immediate family or staff, shall pay the reimbursement.
(d)The immediate family or staff of the candidate or elected officer shall not be personally liable for reimbursement for expenditures for security expenses pursuant to this section.
(e)(1)The candidate or elected officer shall report an expenditure pursuant to subdivision (b) and a reimbursement pursuant to subdivision (c) on the candidates or elected officers campaign report filed pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 84200) of Chapter 4.
(2)With each report described in paragraph (1), the candidate or elected officer shall also submit a form to the Commission, in a manner prescribed by the Commission and signed under penalty of perjury, that describes and verifies the threat or potential threat to the candidate or elected officer, or to their immediate family or staff, that arose from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer and that necessitated the expenditure or reimbursement.
(3)As part of the recordkeeping requirements in Section 84104, the candidate or elected officer shall maintain detailed accounts, records, bills, and receipts relating to an expenditure or reimbursement described in paragraph (1), including records providing evidence of the threat or potential threat to safety that gave rise to the need for the expenditure.
SEC. 3.The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
(a)(1)For purposes of this section, security expenses include all of the following:
(A)The reasonable costs of installing and monitoring a home or office electronic security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(B)The reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(C)Any other tangible item related to security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(2)Security expenses do not include either of the following:
(A)Payments to the candidates or elected officers spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person.
(B)Payments for a firearm.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding Section 89517, campaign funds may be used to pay, or reimburse the state, for security expenses to protect a candidate, an 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 candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer or from staffs position as staff of the candidate or elected officer.
(2)(A)A candidate or elected officer may expend campaign funds pursuant to this section without any monetary cap until January 1, 2029.
(B)Beginning January 1, 2029, a candidate or elected officer may expend up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) of campaign funds pursuant to this section per calendar year. This limit applies regardless of the number of offices the candidate or elected officer seeks or holds.
(3)Campaign funds may be used to pay security personnel pursuant to this section only if the security personnel hold the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
(c)(1)If a committee uses campaign funds to pay, or reimburse the state, for the costs of installing a home or office electronic security system or for any other tangible item related to security, either the security system or other item shall be returned to the committee or reimbursement for the security system or other item shall be made to the campaign fund account of the committee that paid for the security system or other item, pursuant to the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the elected officer leaves the office for which the security system or other tangible item related to security was purchased or when the candidate is no longer a candidate for the office for which the security system or other item was purchased, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(B)If there is a continuing threat to the physical safety of the candidate or elected officer, the threat arises from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer, and the threat has been reported to and verified by an appropriate law enforcement agency, return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the threat verified by the law enforcement agency ceases, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(3)The amount of the reimbursement shall be the fair market value of the security system or other tangible item related to security at the time that reimbursement is paid or due pursuant to paragraph (2), whichever occurs sooner. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, a candidate or elected officer, the candidate or elected officer shall pay the reimbursement. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, immediate family or staff, either the candidate or elected officer, or the immediate family or staff, shall pay the reimbursement.
(d)The immediate family or staff of the candidate or elected officer shall not be personally liable for reimbursement for expenditures for security expenses pursuant to this section.
(e)(1)The candidate or elected officer shall report an expenditure pursuant to subdivision (b) and a reimbursement pursuant to subdivision (c) on the candidates or elected officers campaign statement filed pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 84200) of Chapter 4.
(2)With each report described in paragraph (1), the candidate or elected officer shall also submit a form to the Commission, in a manner prescribed by the Commission and signed under penalty of perjury, that describes and verifies the threat or potential threat to the candidate or elected officer, or to their immediate family or staff, that arose from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer and that necessitated the expenditure or reimbursement.
(3)As part of the recordkeeping requirements in Section 84104, the candidate or elected officer shall maintain detailed accounts, records, bills, and receipts relating to an expenditure or reimbursement described in paragraph (1), including records providing evidence of the threat or potential threat to safety that gave rise to the need for the expenditure.
SEC. 2.Section 89517.5 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1.5 of Chapter 621 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:89517.5.(a)(1)For purposes of this section, security expenses include all of the following:
(A)The reasonable costs of installing and monitoring a home or office electronic security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(B)The reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(C)Any other tangible item related to security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
(2)Security expenses do not include either of the following:
(A)Payments to the candidates or elected officers spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person.
(B)Payments for a firearm.
(b)(1)Notwithstanding Section 89517, campaign funds may be used to pay, or reimburse the state, for security expenses to protect a candidate, an 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 candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer or from staffs position as staff of the candidate or elected officer.
(2)(A)A candidate or elected officer may expend campaign funds pursuant to this section without any monetary cap until January 1, 2029.
(3)Campaign funds may be used to pay security personnel pursuant to this section only if the security personnel holds the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
(B)Beginning January 1, 2029, a candidate or elected officer may expend up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) of campaign funds pursuant to this section per calendar year. This limit applies regardless of the number of offices the candidate or elected officer seeks or holds.
(c)(1)If a committee uses campaign funds to pay, or reimburse the state, for the costs of installing a home or office electronic security system or for any other tangible item related to security, either the security system or other item shall be returned to the committee or reimbursement for the security system or other item shall be made to the campaign fund account of the committee that paid for the security system or other item, pursuant to the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the elected officer leaves the office for which the security system or other tangible item related to security was purchased or when the candidate is no longer a candidate for the office for which the security system or other item was purchased, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(B)If there is a continuing threat to the physical safety of the candidate or elected officer, the threat arises from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer, and the threat has been reported to and verified by an appropriate law enforcement agency, return or reimbursement is due within one year of when the threat verified by the law enforcement agency ceases, or, if applicable, upon sale of the property on which the security system is installed, whichever occurs sooner.
(3)The amount of the reimbursement shall be the fair market value of the security system or other tangible item related to security at the time that reimbursement is paid or due pursuant to paragraph (2), whichever occurs sooner. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, a candidate or elected officer, the candidate or elected officer shall pay the reimbursement. For a security system installed at the home or office of, or for an item purchased for, immediate family or staff, either the candidate or elected officer, or the immediate family or staff, shall pay the reimbursement.
(d)The immediate family or staff of the candidate or elected officer shall not be personally liable for reimbursement for expenditures for security expenses pursuant to this section.
(e)(1)The candidate or elected officer shall report an expenditure pursuant to subdivision (b) and a reimbursement pursuant to subdivision (c) on the candidates or elected officers campaign report filed pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 84200) of Chapter 4.
(2)With each report described in paragraph (1), the candidate or elected officer shall also submit a form to the Commission, in a manner prescribed by the Commission and signed under penalty of perjury, that describes and verifies the threat or potential threat to the candidate or elected officer, or to their immediate family or staff, that arose from the candidates or elected officers activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer and that necessitated the expenditure or reimbursement.
(3)As part of the recordkeeping requirements in Section 84104, the candidate or elected officer shall maintain detailed accounts, records, bills, and receipts relating to an expenditure or reimbursement described in paragraph (1), including records providing evidence of the threat or potential threat to safety that gave rise to the need for the expenditure.
SEC. 3.The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Jul 13, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 78, Statutes of 2026. |
| Jul 13, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Jul 2, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m. |
| Jun 25, 2026 | In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Jun 25, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 36. Noes 0.). |
| Jun 25, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 5014.). |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Jun 16, 2026 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 16). |
| Jun 4, 2026 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| May 20, 2026 | Referred to Com. on E. & C.A. |
| May 7, 2026 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 7, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 66. Noes 0.) |
| May 7, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 66. Noes 0. Page 4968.) |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Apr 29, 2026 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 29). |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. pursuant to Assembly Rule 97. |
| Apr 15, 2026 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 15). |
| Mar 16, 2026 | Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS. |
| Feb 21, 2026 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 23. |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Read first time. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25, 2026 | Consent Calendar 2nd AB2655 Valencia | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 16, 2026 | Do pass and be ordered to the Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments |
Passed |
|
| May 7, 2026 | AB 2655 Valencia Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 29, 2026 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Apr 15, 2026 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Elections |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| California FAIR Political Practices Commission | ** Support |
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-4171 | AB 2655 |
CONSENT
Bill No: AB 2655
Author: Valencia (D)
Introduced: 2/20/26
Vote: 27
SENATE ELECTIONS & C.A. COMMITTEE: 5-0, 6/16/26
AYES: Wiener, Choi, Allen, Cervantes, Umberg
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 66-0, 5/7/26 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Campaign funds: security expenses: security personnel
SOURCE: California Fair Political Practices Commission
DIGEST:
This bill requires when campaign funds are used to pay for security personnel those personnel must be licensed by the State of California’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Includes the Political Reform Act (PRA), which establishes California’s campaign finance and disclosure laws for state and local campaigns, candidates, officeholders, and ballot measures, and which created the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to implement, administer, and enforce the PRA.
- Prescribes that contributions deposited into a campaign account are held in trust to be used to elect candidates and for expenses associated with holding office.
- Prohibits using campaign funds for the purchase, lease, or refurbishment of any appliance or equipment on real property leased or owned by a candidate, the candidate’s campaign, or an immediate family member of the candidate.
- Makes an exception to the prohibition in 3) allowing a candidate or elected officer to use unlimited campaign funds until 2029 and then $10,000 year thereafter for security expenses to protect the candidate, the elected officer, or the immediate family or staff thereof, provided that the threat arises from being a candidate, elected officer, or the family or staff of that person.
- Defines security expenses for purposes of 4) above as:
- The reasonable costs associated with installing and monitoring home or office electronic security.
- The reasonable costs of providing personal security.
- Any other tangible item related to security.
- Excluding payments for a gun or made to a relative.
- Mandates the candidate or elected officer one year after leaving office or after the conclusion of the threat, whichever comes later, to return any tangible security items to the campaign or reimburse the campaign for them at their fair market value.
- Requires the candidate or elected officer to report any expenditure or reimbursement for security to the FPPC on their annual campaign statement and to also submit a form signed under penalty of perjury that describes and verifies the threat to the candidate or elected officer or their immediate family or staff that arose as a result of being a candidate or elected officer.
- Mandates the candidate or elected officer maintain various records related to payments for security, including reports that provide evidence of the threat that gave rise to the expenditure.
- Creates the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services to license and regulate private security services, and prohibits any person from working as a private security officer without being licensed by the bureau.
This bill mandates that campaign funds spent on security personnel may only pay those who are licensed by the state’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
Comments
Author’s Statement. This bill requires that campaign funds only be used to pay for personal security services if the security personnel are properly licensed by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. By ensuring security personnel meet California’s existing training and licensing standards, personnel will be prepared to protect candidates, elected officials and their families from political violence.
Related/Prior Legislation
AB 789 (Bonta, Chapter 621, Statutes of 2025) allows candidates for office and elected officials to use unlimited amounts of campaign funds for security purposes until January 1, 2029, and $10,000 per year thereafter.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 6/16/26)
California Fair Political Practices Commission (source)
OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/16/26)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:
The sponsor of the bill, the FPPC, writes in support:
There are currently no requirements or guidelines for a committee that wishes to use campaign funds to hire security personnel. Under existing law, a committee would be permitted to hire any person to provide security, even if that person had no background, training, or expertise in providing security services.
[This bill] would provide important clarification by authorizing the use of campaign funds to pay security personnel only if the security personnel hold the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
This bill will help ensure that any security personnel hired to protect a candidate, elected officer, or their staff or family have the appropriate training and experience to effectively respond to emergency situations.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 66-0, 5/7/26
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Ward, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Arambula, Bonta, Chen, Flora, Gallagher, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Papan, Petrie-Norris, Celeste Rodriguez, Valencia, Wallis, Wicks
Prepared by: Carrie Cornwell / E. & C.A. / (916) 651-4106
6/17/26 16:28:19
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
ELECTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Senator Scott Wiener, Chair
2025 - 2026 Regular
Bill No: Hearing Date: 6/16/26
Author: | |||
Version: |
| ||
Urgency: | Fiscal: | ||
Consultant: | |||
Subject:
DIGEST
This bill requires when campaign funds are used to pay for security personnel those personnel must be licensed by the State of California’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
ANALYSIS
Existing law:
- Includes the Political Reform Act (PRA), which establishes California’s campaign finance and disclosure laws for state and local campaigns, candidates, officeholders, and ballot measures, and which created the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to implement, administer, and enforce the PRA.
- Prescribes that contributions deposited into a campaign account are held in trust to be used to elect candidates and for expenses associated with holding office.
- Prohibits using campaign funds for the purchase, lease, or refurbishment of any appliance or equipment on real property leased or owned by a candidate, the candidate’s campaign, or an immediate family member of the candidate.
- Makes an exception to the prohibition in 3) allowing a candidate or elected officer to use unlimited campaign funds until 2029 and then $10,000 year thereafter for security expenses to protect the candidate, the elected officer, or the immediate family or staff thereof, provided that the threat arises from being a candidate, elected officer, or the family or staff of that person.
- Defines security expenses for purposes of 4) above as:
- The reasonable costs associated with installing and monitoring home or office electronic security.
- The reasonable costs of providing personal security.
- Any other tangible item related to security.
- Excluding payments for a gun or made to a relative.
- Mandates the candidate or elected officer one year after leaving office or after the conclusion of the threat, whichever comes later, to return any tangible security items to the campaign or reimburse the campaign for them at their fair market value.
- Requires the candidate or elected officer to report any expenditure or reimbursement for security to the FPPC on their annual campaign statement and to also submit a form signed under penalty of perjury that describes and verifies the threat to the candidate or elected officer or their immediate family or staff that arose as a result of being a candidate or elected officer.
- Mandates the candidate or elected officer maintain various records related to payments for security, including reports that provide evidence of the threat that gave rise to the expenditure.
- Creates the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services to license and regulate the alarm, locksmith, private investigator, private security services, and repossession industries.
This bill mandates that campaign funds spent on security personnel may only pay those who are licensed by the state’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
COMMENTS
- Author’s Statement. This bill requires that campaign funds only be used to pay for personal security services if the security personnel are properly licensed by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. By ensuring security personnel meet California’s existing training and licensing standards, personnel will be prepared to protect candidates, elected officials and their families from political violence.
- Arguments in Support. The sponsor of the bill, the FPPC, writes in support:
There are currently no requirements or guidelines for a committee that wishes to use campaign funds to hire security personnel. Under existing law, a committee would be permitted to hire any person to provide security, even if that person had no background, training, or expertise in providing security services.
[This bill] would provide important clarification by authorizing the use of campaign funds to pay security personnel only if the security personnel hold the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
This bill will help ensure that any security personnel hired to protect a candidate, elected officer, or their staff or family have the appropriate training and experience to effectively respond to emergency situations.
RELATED/PRIOR LEGISLATION
AB 789 (Bonta), Chapter 621, Statutes of 2025, allows candidates for office and elected officials to use unlimited amounts of campaign funds for security purposes until January 1, 2029, and $10,000 per year thereafter.
PRIOR ACTION
Assembly Floor: | |
Assembly Appropriations Committee: | |
Assembly Committee: |
|
POSITIONS
Sponsor: California Fair Political Practices Commission
Support: None received
Oppose: None received
-- END --
Date of Hearing: April 29, 2026
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Buffy Wicks, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2655
Author:(Valencia) – As Introduced Ver:February 20, 2026
Policy Committee: | Elections | Vote: | 8 - 0 |
|
| ||
|
|
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill limits the use of campaign funds to pay security personnel to licensees of the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) only.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor and absorbable costs to the Fair Political Practices Commission for education and enforcement related to this use of campaign funds.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. According to the author:
[AB 2655] would require that campaign funds only be used to pay for personal security services if the security personnel are properly licensed by the [BSIS]. By ensuring security personnel meet California’s existing training and licensing standards, personnel will be prepared to protect candidates, elected officials and their families from political violence.
- Security Expenses. Due to escalating rhetoric and instances of violence and threats posing significant risks to individuals at all levels of government, AB 2041 (Bonta), Chapter 372, Statutes of 2024, broadened the types of security expenses that may be paid for with campaign funds and authorizes the use of campaign funds to protect not only a candidate and an elected officer, but also the immediate family or staff of the candidate or elected officer. AB 2041 also increased the expenditure limit by allowing a candidate or elected officer to use up to $10,000 of campaign funds for security expenses. However, in response to concerns that the $10,000 limit was insufficient in today’s economic and political climate, AB 789 (Bonta), Chapter 621, Statutes of 2025, suspended the limit until January 1, 2029.
Eligible security expenses include the reasonable costs of installing and monitoring home or office electronic security, the reasonable costs of providing personal security, and any other tangible item related to security. This bill further limits eligible personal security expenses to payments to security personnel holding the appropriate BSIS license.
Analysis Prepared by: Irene Ho / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 15, 2026
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS
Gail Pellerin, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2655 (
Author:Valencia) – As Introduced Ver:February 20, 2026
SUBJECT: Campaign funds: security expenses: security personnel.
SUMMARY: Requires any security personnel that is paid for with campaign funds to protect a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer to be licensed by the state. Specifically, this bill requires, if campaign funds are used to pay for security personnel to protect a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer, that the security personnel must hold the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).
EXISTING LAW:
- Creates the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), and makes it responsible for the impartial, effective administration and implementation of the Political Reform Act (PRA). (Government Code §§81000 et seq.)
- Makes violations of the PRA subject to administrative, civil, and criminal penalties. (Government Code §§83116, 91000-91005.5)
- Provides that all contributions deposited into a campaign committee account are deemed to be held in trust for expenses associated with the election of the candidate or for expenses associated with holding office. Provides that an expenditure to seek or hold office is within the lawful execution of this trust if it is reasonably related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose. Requires an expenditure of campaign funds that confers a substantial personal benefit on any individual with authority to approve the expenditure of campaign funds to be directly related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose. (Government Code §§89510 et seq.)
- Authorizes campaign funds to be used to pay, or reimburse the state, for security expenses to protect a candidate, an 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 or from staff’s position as staff of the candidate or elected officer. Permits a candidate or elected officer to expend campaign funds without any monetary cap until January 1, 2029. Limits, beginning January 1, 2029, expenditures of campaign funds for security expenses to $10,000 per calendar year. (Government Code §89517.5(b))
- Provides, for purposes of #4 above, the term “security expenses” includes all of the following:
- The reasonable costs of installing and monitoring a home or office electronic security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
- The reasonable costs of providing personal security to a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer.
- Any other tangible item related to security for a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer. (Government Code §89517.5(a)(1))
- Provides that “security expenses” do not include:
- Payments to the candidate’s or elected officer’s spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person.
- Payments for a firearm. (Government Code §89517.5(a)(2))
- Payments to the candidate’s or elected officer’s spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person.
FISCAL EFFECT: None. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose of the Bill: According to the author:
Assembly Bill 2655 would require that campaign funds only be used to pay for personal security services if the security personnel are properly licensed by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). By ensuring security personnel meet California’s existing training and licensing standards, personnel will be prepared to protect candidates, elected officials and their families from political violence.
- Authorized Use of Campaign Funds and Previous Legislation: The PRA strictly regulates the use of campaign funds by candidates, elected officials, and others who control the expenditure of those funds and generally requires expenditures of campaign funds to be directly or reasonably related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose.
Due to escalating rhetoric and instances of violence and threats posing significant risks to individuals at all levels of government, last session, AB 2041 (Bonta), Chapter 372, Statutes of 2024, an urgency measure, was signed into law. AB 2041 broadened the types of security expenses that can be paid for with campaign funds and authorizes campaign funds to be used for costs related to security expenses, as defined, to protect not only a candidate and an elected officer, but also the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer, as specified. Additionally, AB 2041 increased the expenditure limit allowing a candidate or elected officer to use up to $10,000 of campaign funds for security expenses, as specified. AB 2041 took effect September 2024.
In response to concerns that the limit on the amount of campaign funds that may be used for security expenses was inadequate in today's climate, AB 789 (Bonta), Chapter 621, Statutes of 2025, deleted the monetary cap and allows a candidate or elected official, until 2029, to use an unlimited amount of campaign funds for security expenses to protect a candidate, elected officer, or the immediate family or staff of a candidate or elected officer, as specified. Additionally, AB 789 clarified that security expenses do not include payments to a candidate’s or elected officer’s spouse, child, or other specified family members.
This bill provides that campaign funds may be used to pay security personnel only if the security personnel hold the appropriate license issued by the BSIS. According to the author, this bill will ensure officials do not unknowingly rely on unqualified individuals and that campaign funds that are used for security expenses are used appropriately.
- Bureau of Security and Investigative Services License: The mission of the BSIS is to protect and serve the public and consumers through effective regulatory oversight of the professions within the BSIS’s jurisdiction. The BSIS licenses and regulates the Alarm, Locksmith, Private Investigator, Private Security Services, and Repossession Industries.
According to the BSIS website, security guards are employed by licensed Private Patrol Operators or private security employers to protect persons or property or prevent theft as defined in the existing law. To be eligible to apply for a security guard registration through the BSIS, a person must: 1) be at least 18 years old; 2) undergo a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and, 3) complete the Power to Arrest training. An individual must complete 32 hours of training in security officer skills within 6 months of registration.
- Recent Research: Threats and harassment are becoming increasingly common at the national, state, and local levels of government. Data collected by the Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI), a nonpartisan research initiative out of Princeton University that tracks and mitigates political violence in the United States (US) and maintains a public dataset, indicates that threats and harassment against local public officials are on the rise, mirroring trends in national-level data on threats against federal judges and members of Congress. BDI’s Threats and Harassment Dataset recorded over 600 incidents of threats and harassment against local officials in 2024 — a 14% increase from 2023 and a 74% increase from 2022.
Complementary data from the BDI-CivicPulse, a quarterly survey of local elected officials, confirms a steady rise in reported experiences of threats and harassment since 2022. Survey data collected by the Brennan Center also points to an increase in the frequency and seriousness of hostility toward state legislators in late 2023, underscoring the broader trend of escalating threats across government. At the national level, the US Capitol Police reported a spike in threats against members of Congress in 2024, reaching levels not seen since 2021.
Moreover, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), questions about personal security remain urgent for many legislators after the assassinations of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shootings of Minnesota Senator John Hoffman and his wife last year. Security might be readily available in government buildings and at state events, but every elected official starts out as a candidate, and the campaign trail can be a different story. NCSL points out that California, Louisiana and Minnesota allow candidates to use campaign funds for security for themselves and family members and laws in California and Louisiana also cover security services for campaign staff. Extending beyond physical security, Louisiana permits candidates to spend campaign cash on cybersecurity services, and Minnesota’s approved uses of campaign funds include identity theft monitoring services. - Arguments in Support: The sponsor of this bill, the Fair Political Practices Commission, writes:
There are currently no requirements or guidelines for a committee that wishes to use campaign funds to hire security personnel. Under existing law, a committee would be permitted to hire any person to provide security, even if that person had no background, training, or expertise in providing security services.
AB 2655 would provide important clarification by authorizing the use of campaign funds to pay security personnel only if the security personnel hold the appropriate license issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
This bill will help ensure that any security personnel hired to protect a candidate, elected officer, or their staff or family have the appropriate training and experience to effectively respond to emergency situations.
- Political Reform Act of 1974: California voters passed an initiative, Proposition 9, in 1974 that created the FPPC and codified significant restrictions and prohibitions on candidates, officeholders, and lobbyists. That initiative is commonly known as the PRA. Amendments to the PRA that are not submitted to the voters, such as those contained in this bill, must further the purposes of the initiative and require a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Fair Political Practices Commission (Sponsor)
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Nichole Becker / ELECTIONS / (916) 319-2094
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):