Requiring Candidates get Written Approval for Campaign Fund Reimbursements

H.3171 would require all candidates for public office receive written approval from the appropriate supervisory office for any reimbursement to themselves from their campaign account for more than $500. Once approved the reimbursement would have to be reported on a campaign disclosure report. It’s not uncommon today for candidates to reimburse themselves from their campaign account and give only a vague description of what the reimbursement was for. Former Speaker Harrell famously misused his campaign funds by reimbursing himself for expenses he described only as “legislative travel”. This reform could be an important step towards preventing these kinds of abuses in the future.