Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits using campaign funds for personal expenses in Virginia.

Highlights:

• Prohibits using campaign funds for personal expenses in Virginia (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that contributions accepted by a candidate or his campaign committee may only be used for the following purposes (Sec. 1):

• Authorized expenditures related to the candidate’s campaign;

• Necessary expenses related to the candidate seeking, holding, or maintaining office;

• Contributions to organizations subject to the provisions of prevailing law;

• Transfers to political party committees;

• Contributions to federal, state, and local candidates subject to the provisions of prevailing law;

• Dependent care expenses that are incurred as a result of the candidate seeking, holding, or maintaining office; or

• Any other lawful purpose unless otherwise prohibited by the provisions of this bill.

• Prohibits a candidate from converting a contribution to personal use to fulfill any commitments or expenses that would not otherwise exist if the person was not seeking, holding, or maintaining an office, including the following (Sec 1):

• Home mortgage, rent, or utility payments;

• Clothing purchases;

• Non-campaign-related automobile expenses;

• Country club memberships;

• Vacations or other non-campaign-related trips;

• Household food items;

• Tuition payments;

• Admission to sporting events, concerts, or other forms of entertainment not associated with the campaign;

• Payments to health clubs or recreational facilities; or

• Salary payments to a member of a candidate’s family.

• Requires the State Board of Elections and the Office of the Attorney General to develop and publish guidance on the provisions of this bill (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes any person subject to the provisions of this bill to request an advisory opinion concerning specific transactions from the State Board of Elections (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that any civil penalty collected under this provision shall be payable to the State State Treasurer for deposit into the Prohibited Personal Use Enforcement Fund (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall become effective on July 1, 2026 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text