D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 3-3013

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 23, June 7, 2024

Rule 3-3013 - LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS

3013.1

Campaign funds shall be used solely for the purpose of financing, directly or indirectly, the election campaign of a candidate.

3013.2

Limitations on the use of campaign funds shall include the following:

(a) Payment or reimbursement for a candidate or staff of a campaign committee for travel expenses and necessary accommodations, except when directly related to a campaign purpose;

(b) Payment or reimbursement for the cost of professional services unless those services are directly related to a campaign purpose;

(c) Payment for medical expenses of a candidate; provided, that campaign funds may be used to pay employer costs of health care benefits for employees of a principal campaign committee;

(d) Payment or reimbursement for fines and penalties, unless litigation arises directly out of a candidate's or principal campaign committee's campaign activities;

(e) Payment or reimbursement for judgments or settlements, unless litigation or agency administrative action arises directly out of the campaign activities of a candidate or principal campaign committee;

(f) Attorney's fees, unless legal expenses arise directly out of a candidate's or a principal campaign committee's campaign activity;

(g) Payment or reimbursement for the purchase or lease of personal property, unless the legal title resides in, or the lessee is, the principal campaign committee, and the use of the property is directly related to a campaign purpose;

(h) Clothing, except for specialty clothing which is not suitable for everyday use, including, but not limited to, formal wear, if the attire is used in the campaign and is directly related to a campaign purpose;

(i) The purchase or lease of a vehicle, unless the title or lease to the vehicle is held by the campaign committee and not the candidate, and the use of the vehicle is directly related to a campaign purpose; and

(j) Compensation to a candidate for the performance of campaign activities, except for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred for campaign purposes, including the candidate's childcare expenses.

3013.3

With the exception of expenditures made to retire debt or wind down the campaign operation, campaign funds shall not be expended following the election or defeat of a candidate for office, or after a candidate notifies the Office of Campaign Finance of the intent to withdraw the candidacy for the purpose of financing, directly or indirectly, the election campaign of a candidate.

3013.4

With the exception of the limitations under § 3013, use of Fair Elections Program funds and expenditures shall be in accordance with the limitations set forth in § 4209.

D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 3-3013

Final Rulemaking published at 45 DCR 3161, 3175-76 (May 20, 1998); Final Rulemaking amended at 49 DCR 2731 (March 22, 2002); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 53 DCR 3229 (April 21, 2006); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 1402 (February 8, 2013); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 11864 (August 16, 2013); Amended by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 3025 (3/13/2015); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 66 DCR 8118 (7/12/2019); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 66 DCR 15416 (11/22/2019); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR 3338 (3/17/2023)

Authority: D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.05(a)(14), in conformity with the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Establishment and Comprehensive Ethics Reform Amendment Act of 2011, enacted February 27, 2012 (D.C. Act 19-318; D.C. Official Code § 1-1161.01 et seq. (2012 Supp.)).