2026 -- H 7495

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LC004553

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- SAFEGUARDING ELECTION CANDIDATES USING

REASONABLE EXPENDITURES ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Boylan, Tanzi, Baginski, Kazarian, Ajello, Stewart,
McGaw, Dawson, Messier, and Furtado

     Date Introduced: February 04, 2026

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 17 of the General Laws entitled "ELECTIONS" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 25.4

SAFEGUARDING ELECTION CANDIDATES USING REASONABLE EXPENDITURES

ACT

     17-25.4-1. Title.

     This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Safeguarding Election Candidates Using

Reasonable Expenditures Act."

     17-25.4-2. Purpose.

     The intent of this chapter is to authorize the use of campaign funds by candidates and

elected officials for security related expenses, including home and office security systems and

ongoing monitoring, in response to threats arising from public service or candidacy.

     17-25.4-3. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

     (1) "Campaign funds" means contributions received in support of a candidate or

officeholder regulated under this state's campaign finance law.

     (2) "Immediate family" means a spouse, registered domestic partner, or any minor child

residing in the candidate/officeholder's household.

     (3) "Security expenses" means:

     (i) The purchase, installation, maintenance, and upgrade of physical security equipment

including, surveillance cameras, door access controls, locks, alarms, motion detectors installed by

a company authorized and licensed to perform such work in this state; and

     (ii) Monitoring and other services, including maintenance, directly associated with such

physical security equipment.

     17-25.4-4. Authorized and nonauthorized Uses.

     (a) A candidate or elected official may use campaign funds/public funds for verified

security expenses incurred, to address security risks to themselves, campaign staff, or their

immediate family associated with their status or activities as a candidate or public figure.

     (b) The maximum amount of campaign funds that may be used for physical security

equipment and its installation is limited to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per individual and

campaign cycle.

     (c) Campaign funds may not be used for:

     (1) Purchase of firearms or ammunition;

     (2) Payments to family members or entities owned/controlled by them; or

     (3) Unrelated home improvements.

     17-25.4-5. Verification and documentation.

     (a) The candidate or officeholder shall determine that the security expenses are reasonably

related to security risks to themselves and their immediate family.

     (b) All such expenditures shall be:

     (1) Reported to the state campaign finance agency in accordance with rules governing non-

campaign disbursements;

     (2) Supported by itemized receipts or invoices; and

     (3) Subject to public disclosure under applicable campaign finance laws; provided

however, the disclosure shall not include plans, designs or schematics.

     (c) No documentation of a specific threat or law enforcement verification shall be required.

     17-25.4-6. Rules and regulations.

     The board of elections shall adopt rules and regulations as needed to implement and enforce

this chapter, including standardized reporting formats and audit procedures.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- SAFEGUARDING ELECTION CANDIDATES USING

REASONABLE EXPENDITURES ACT

***

     This act would authorize the use of campaign funds for security related expenses, including

home and office security systems and ongoing monitoring, in response to threats arising from their

public service or candidacy.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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