Alaska2026Passed Legislature
SB229
Alaska Campaign Finance Reporting and Fund Use Rules
Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM
In one sentence
This bill sets rules for how candidates can use leftover campaign money, requires a public list of people who failed to file reports or filed incomplete ones, and increases fines for breaking reporting laws.
What it does
- Limits the use of campaign funds to paying civil penalties or expenses directly related to election activities.
- Allows the commission to stop a candidate from using campaign money to pay fines if they intentionally broke the law.
- Lists specific ways candidates must distribute unused money after an election, such as donating it to charities, government accounts, political parties, or repaying contributors.
- Sets dollar limits on how much leftover cash can be moved into future campaigns based on the office being sought.
- Requires the commission to publish a public list of people who failed to file reports or filed incomplete ones.
- Increases daily fines for failing to register, filing late reports, delaying contribution reporting, or hiding the true source of campaign contributions.
Who it affects
- Candidates running for state and municipal offices in Alaska
- Campaign treasurers and deputy treasurers responsible for reporting finances
- Contributors who give money to campaigns but fail to file required statements or delay reporting
- The Alaska Public Offices Commission which oversees these rules
Limits and unknowns
- The bill text provided ends before listing all possible penalties for intentionally hiding contribution sources.
- Specific details on how the commission calculates 'reasonable' campaign expenses are not included in this excerpt.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Civil penalty
- A fine given by the government for breaking a rule, not involving jail time.
- Pro rata
- Returning money to contributors in equal proportion based on how much each person gave.
- Delinquent filer
- A person who has failed to submit a required report by the deadline or submitted an incomplete one.
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
- (S) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS1557
- (S) STA, JUD1557
- (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1557