ASSEMBLY STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2060

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  AUGUST 13, 2020

      The Assembly State and Local Government Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2060.

      This bill permits the use of campaign funds to pay for child care expenses incurred by a candidate or the holder of a public office.

      Under the bill, expenses incurred by the holder of a public office or a candidate for child care may be paid from campaign contributions only if the expenses are for providing care for the well-being and protection of the child outside of the home, in a child care facility, or in the home of the office holder or candidate.  Eligible expenses will be those that result directly from activities in which the office holder or candidate engage for the purposes of holding office or a campaign for public office, and would not have otherwise been incurred but for those activities.  Child care expenses will not include payments to a member of the office holder’s or candidate’s household.

      The Election Law Enforcement Commission must promulgate regulations regarding eligible expenses and must provide written guidance upon request from an office holder or candidate prior to the expense being incurred or after the expense is incurred.

      Current law permits the use of campaign contributions to pay for campaign expenses, make a charitable contribution, contribute to another campaign committee, pay for committee overhead and administrative expenses, repay contributions, and pay for the ordinary and necessary expenses of holding public office.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.