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HB0046

HB0046: Rules for Using and Spending Campaign Money

Last scannedOct 19, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This bill would limit how candidates can spend campaign money, require them to dispose of leftover funds within eight years, and set penalties for breaking these rules.

What it does

  • Limits campaign spending to promoting elections, public issues, or official duties.
  • Bans using campaign money for personal benefits or normal living expenses.
  • Requires candidates to dispose of all campaign funds within eight years of their last term or election.
  • Allows candidates to donate leftover funds to charities, schools, the state, or political parties.
  • Makes violating these rules a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to six months in jail or a fine of up to $1,000.

Who it affects

  • Candidates for public office.
  • Campaign committees that manage money for candidates.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was postponed indefinitely in January 2011.
  • The bill text is a working draft, so final details might have changed if it had moved forward.

Plain language

Terms to know

Campaign funds
Money given to a candidate or their committee to help with their political activities.
Misdemeanor
A minor crime that can result in jail time of up to six months or a fine.
501(c)(3)
A type of organization recognized by the IRS as a charity that does not pay taxes.

Official record

Sources

Source checked

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 9:07 PM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it sets a common-sense standard that constituents expect legislators to follow, thereby protecting the integrity and reputation of the legislative body.

Public statementFloor statement at 6:12 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because he believes legislators already police themselves effectively through existing reporting requirements and views new restrictions as unnecessary.

Public statementFloor statement at 15:30 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because he believes it goes too far in regulation and conflicts with his understanding that campaign contributions are treated as gifts by the IRS.

Public statementFloor statement at 20:10 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because he believes existing reporting provides sufficient transparency and that adding new burdens may discourage people from running for office without addressing a real problem.

Public statementFloor statement at 20:51 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker generally supports the bill because it provides needed guidance on campaign fund usage but plans to propose an amendment regarding specific IRS code provisions that could cause future problems.

Public statementFloor statement at 23:15 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because failing to restrict personal use of campaign funds reinforces negative public perceptions about politicians and damages their reputation.

Public statementFloor statement at 24:54 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker is uncertain about supporting the bill due to concerns over who will enforce the eight-year fund disposal requirement and potential penalties for non-compliance.

Public statementFloor statement at 26:21 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker is inclined to vote against the bill because she believes it addresses a problem that does not exist and questions who will enforce the eight-year fund disposal rule.

Public statementFloor statement at 28:12 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

2 roll calls

Official activity

Bill history

  1. H Failed CoW; Indef PostponedHouse
  2. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  3. H Amendments AdoptedHouse
  4. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  5. H Placed on General FileHouse
  6. H07 Recommended Amend and Do PassHouse
  7. H Introduced and Referred to H07House
  8. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  9. Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

2 stored

HB0046HW001

Adopted Committee of the Whole by BUCHANAN

HB0046HS001

Adopted Standing Committee by H07