City of San Bernardino Candidate Information Guide

Equipment and Appliances Campaign funds may be used to buy, lease, or refurbish equipment or appliances, but only if their use is directly related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose. As with restrictions on vehicles, the committee must hold title, or be the lessee, on the equipment; no individual may be listed as owner or lessee. Ex 6.5 - When the printer breaks down, the treasurer goes out and buys a new one. While shopping, the treasurer finds a great buy on a big screen TV. While the printer is a permissible expense, since it will be used to communicate with the voters, the television does not serve a directly-related political, legislative, or governmental purpose and, therefore, may not be paid for with campaign funds. Fines, Penalties, Judgments, and Settlements Generally, campaign funds may be used to pay the following fines, penalties, judgments, and settlements: • Parking citations received while performing political, legislative, or governmental activities • Fines assessed in relation to situations in which the use of campaign funds to pay for an attorney is allowed (discussed above) • Fines imposed for late filing of campaign statements and Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700) Ex 6.6 - Your treasurer was two days late in filing the committee’s first preelection statement and the filing officer fined the committee $20. The committee may pay the fine with campaign funds. But campaign funds of any amount may not be used to pay a fine, penalty, judgment, or settlement relating to an improper use of campaign funds or an action involving bribery under Penal Code Section 86.

Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov

Chapter 6.6

Campaign Manual 2 August 2023 Page 236

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