AR HB1008

Candidates and officeholders are prohibited from taking campaign or carryover funds as personal income, with exceptions for funds accumulated before July 28, 1995, and specific allowable uses such as employment of family members as campaign workers or reimbursement for leave of absence without pay.

Prohibited personal uses of campaign funds include household food items and supplies, clothing, and mortgage/rent/utility payments at personal residences, though exceptions apply for campaign-related activities and fair market value payments for campaign office space.

Taking campaign funds as personal income is classified by dollar amount: Class B felony for $25,000 or more; Class C felony for $5,000-$24,999; Class D felony for $500-$4,999; and Class A misdemeanor for less than $500.

Allowed uses of campaign funds include purchasing food at volunteer agency fundraising events, post-election thank you advertising, national presidential nominating convention expenses, and in-state or out-of-state conference attendance related to general political issues.

Penalties for violations of campaign finance compliance are changed from Class A misdemeanor to a tiered felony system based on the value of misused funds.