HB 2165: Campaign finance; prohibited personal use of campaign funds, etc.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Campaign finance; prohibited personal use of campaign funds; complaints, hearings, civil penalty, and advisory opinions. Prohibits any person from converting contributions to a candidate or his campaign committee for personal use. Current law only prohibits such conversion of contributions with regard to disbursement of surplus funds at the dissolution of a campaign or political committee. The bill provides that a contribution is considered to have been converted to personal use if the contribution, in whole or in part, is used to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expense that would exist irrespective of the person's seeking, holding, or maintaining public office but allows a contribution to be used for the ordinary and accepted expenses related to campaigning for or holding elective office, including the use of campaign funds to pay for the candidate's dependent care expenses that are incurred as a direct result of campaign activity. The bill provides that any person subject to the personal use ban may request an advisory opinion from the State Board of Elections on such matters. The foregoing provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026. The bill directs the State Board of Elections to adopt emergency regulations similar to those promulgated by the Federal Election Commission to implement the provisions of the bill and to publish an updated summary of Virginia campaign finance law that reflects the State Board of Elections' and Attorney General's guidance on the provisions of such law that prohibit the personal use of campaign funds and any new regulations promulgated by the State Board of Elections. This bill incorporates HB 1686 and is identical to SB 1002.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 19

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. March 24, 2025Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0535)
2. March 24, 2025Approved by Governor-Chapter 535 (Effective 07/01/26)
3. March 11, 2025Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2165)
4. March 11, 2025Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
5. March 11, 2025Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025
6. March 10, 2025Signed by President
7. March 7, 2025Signed by Speaker
8. March 7, 2025Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB2165ER)
9. March 7, 2025Enrolled
10. February 19, 2025Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
11. February 19, 2025Read third time
12. February 18, 2025Passed by for the day

Showing 12 most recent of 37 actions. Full history