(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, amounts received as contributions by a candidate or the principal campaign committee of a candidate for public office that are in excess of any amount necessary to defray campaign expenditures and any other funds donated to a holder of public office may be:
(a) Used to defray any expenses incurred in connection with the recipient’s duties as a holder of public office;
(b) Transferred to any national, state or local political committee of any political party;
(c) Contributed to any organization described in section 170(c) of Title 26 of the United States Code or to any charitable corporation defined in ORS 128.620; or
(d) Used for any other lawful purpose.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, amounts received as contributions by a candidate for public office that are in excess of any amount necessary to defray campaign expenditures and other funds donated to a holder of public office may not be:
(a) Converted by any person to any personal use other than to defray any expenses incurred in connection with the person’s duties as a holder of public office or to repay to a candidate any loan the proceeds of which were used in connection with the candidate’s campaign;
(b) Except as provided in this paragraph, used to pay any money award as defined in ORS 18.005 included as part of a judgment in a civil or criminal action or any civil penalty imposed by an agency as defined in ORS 183.310 or by a local government as defined in ORS 174.116. Contributions described in this subsection may be used to pay a civil penalty imposed under this chapter, other than a civil penalty imposed for a violation of this section or ORS 260.409; or
(c) Except as provided in this paragraph, used to pay any legal expenses incurred by the candidate or public official in any civil, criminal or other legal proceeding or investigation that relates to or arises from the course and scope of the duties of the person as a candidate or public official. Contributions described in this subsection may be used to pay legal expenses incurred by the candidate or public official in connection with a legal proceeding brought under this chapter, other than a proceeding brought under this section or ORS 260.409.
(3) As used in this section:
(a) “Funds donated” means all funds, including but not limited to gifts, loans, advances, credits or deposits of money that are donated for the purpose of supporting the activities of a holder of public office. “Funds donated” does not mean funds appropriated by the Legislative Assembly or another similar public appropriating body or personal funds of the office holder donated to an account containing only those personal funds.
(b) “Public office” does not include national or political party office. [1995 c.1 §18; 1999 c.999 §20; 2007 c.877 §14]
Section: Previous 260.370 260.375 260.380 260.390 260.400 260.402 260.405 260.407 260.409 260.410 260.412 260.415 260.420 260.422 260.430 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008