Alaska2026Passed Legislature
HB201
HB201: Rules for Campaign Money and Reports
Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM
In one sentence
This bill sets rules on how candidates can use leftover campaign money, creates new ways to save funds for future terms or office expenses, and increases penalties for failing to file required financial reports.
What it does
- Limits the use of campaign contributions to paying civil fines and election-related costs unless a court finds intentional wrongdoing by the candidate or treasurer.
- Allows candidates with leftover money after an election to donate it to political parties, government funds, charities not controlled by the candidate's family, or repay contributors proportionally.
- Permits elected officials to transfer limited amounts of unused campaign cash into accounts for future campaigns or current office expenses based on their specific office.
- Requires the Alaska Public Offices Commission to publish a public list distinguishing between people who have not filed reports and those who submitted incomplete ones.
- Increases daily fines for failing to file required financial statements, with higher penalties specifically for contributors or intermediaries who delay reporting.
Who it affects
- Candidates running for state and municipal offices in Alaska
- Campaign treasurers and deputy campaign treasurers
- Contributors who give money or act as intermediaries to campaigns
- The Alaska Public Offices Commission
Limits and unknowns
- The bill does not specify an effective date in the provided text.
- Transfers of money are strictly limited by specific dollar amounts depending on whether the candidate is running for governor, state senate, house, or other offices.
- Money transferred to office expense accounts must be disposed of according to strict rules at the end of the term following the campaign.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Civil penalty
- A fine paid to the government for breaking a rule, not a criminal punishment.
- Pro rata
- Repaying money in proportion to how much each person originally contributed.
- Public office expense term account
- A special bank account for elected state legislators to pay for costs related to their job duties, limited by the length of their term.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS An Act relating to certain reports required by the Alaska Public Offices Commission; and relating to the use of campaign contributions held by a candidate or group.
Official activity
Bill history
- (H) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS845
- (H) STA, JUD845
- (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS845