Senate Bill S8872

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S8872

SPONSOR: AVELLA
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the election law, in relation to
certain campaign expenses for personal use

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to allow the use of campaign funds for
childcare expenses when the candidate is the primary caregiver of the
child and such expenses are incurred as a direct result of campaign
activity.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill amends Section 14-130 of the election law by
adding new subdivision 5-a, which would clarify that a candidate may use
campaign funds for childcare expenses when the candidate is the primary
caregiver of the child and the expenses are incurred as a direct result
of campaign activity.

              

Section 2 of this bill states that this act shall take effect thirty
days after it has become law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The need for childcare often serves as a large obstacle for individuals
running for office. Women, in particular, are often affected by these
demands. It is critical that we remove this barrier of entry to public
service for candidates.

Recently, the Federal Elections Commission issued an advisory opinion
stating that a federal candidate for the House of Representatives can
use campaign funds to pay for childcare costs. Under the current New
York State Election Law, a candidate or political committee cannot use
campaign funds for an expense such as childcare.

This legislation aims to extend the ruling the ruling of the Federal
Elections Commission to all candidates for state and local office within
New York State. Specifically, this bill would allow candidates to use
campaign funds for any childcare expense incurred where such candidate
is the primary caregiver of the child and such expenses are incurred as
a direct result of campaign activity.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect thirty days after it shall have become a law