NY A08329

Restricts campaign fund expenditures to bona fide purposes directly related to promoting a candidate's nomination or election, or performing duties of public office or party position that are unpaid or unreimbursed.

Defines personal use as prohibited expenditures including normal living expenses, commitments that would exist regardless of the campaign, and amounts treated as gross income under federal tax code.

Specifically prohibits personal use expenditures including residential expenses, clothing, tuition, entertainment, fines or penalties, country club dues, travel expenses, childcare, and automobile purchases or long-term leases not exclusively used for campaign purposes.

Requires campaign funds from deceased candidates to be disposed of within twelve months through returning funds to contributors, donating to charitable organizations or universities, donating to the state general fund, or transferring to political party committees, with strict prohibition on personal use expenditures.

Directs the state board of elections to issue binding advisory opinions on permissible campaign expenditures.