Bill Text: MS SB2232 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi Senate Bill 2232 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Campaign contributions; prohibit conversion to personal use.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-02-23 - Died In Committee [SB2232 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2016-SB2232-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2016 Regular Session

To: Elections

By: Senator(s) Blount

Senate Bill 2232

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FOR PERSONAL USE; TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF MISAPPROPRIATION OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) A contribution as described in Section 23-15-801 shall not be converted by any candidate or elected official to personal use.

(2) For purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a contribution shall be considered to be converted to personal use if the contribution is used to fulfill any commitment, obligation or expense of a candidate or elected official that would exist irrespective of the candidate's election campaign or elected official's duties as a holder of public office, including:

(a) A home mortgage, rent or utility payment not directly related to performing official duties at seat of government;

(b) A clothing purchase;

(d) A country club membership;

(e) A vacation or other noncampaign-related trip not directly related to the official's public office;

(f) A tuition payment;

(g) Admission to a sporting event, concert, theater or other form of entertainment not associated with an election campaign; and

(h) Dues, fees and other payments to a health club or recreational facility.

(3) The conversion of campaign contributions to personal use shall be considered misappropriation of campaign funds under Section 2 of this act and shall be reported to the Attorney General.

SECTION 2. (1) Any candidate for public office or any elected official who uses a campaign contribution to fulfill any commitment, obligation or expense that would exist irrespective of the candidate's election campaign or elected official's duties as a holder of public office shall be guilty of misappropriation of campaign funds.

(2) Any candidate or elected official convicted of misappropriation of campaign contributions shall be punished by a fine equal to the amount of misappropriated campaign contributions and by a state assessment equal to the amount of misappropriated campaign contributions. The state assessment shall be imposed and collected as provided in Section 99-19-73 and shall be deposited into the Law Enforcement Officers Death Benefits Trust Fund established under Section 45-2-1. In addition to the fine and assessment, the court may impose any court costs and fees, a term of imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one (1) year, or both.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.