R2-20-702. Use of Campaign Funds

A. A participating candidate shall use funds in the candidate’s current campaign account to pay for goods and services for direct campaign purposes only. Funds shall be disbursed and reported in accordance with A.R.S. § 16-948(C). B. Participating candidates may purchase fixed assets with a value not to exceed $800. Fixed assets, including accessories, purchased with campaign funds that can be used for non-campaign purposes with a value of $200 or more shall be turned into the Commission no later than 14 days after the primary election or the general election if the candidate was successful in the primary. For purposes of determining whether a fixed asset is valued at $200 or more, the value shall include any accessories purchased for use with the fixed asset in question. A candidate may elect to keep an item by reimbursing the Commission for 80 percent of the original purchase price including the cost of accessories. C. During the primary election period, a participating candidate shall not make any expenditure greater than the difference between: 1. The sum of early contributions received plus public funds disbursed through the primary election period; less 2. All other expenditures made during and for the exploratory, qualifying and primary election periods. D. During the general election period, a participating candidate shall not make any expenditure greater than the difference between: 1. The amount of public funds disbursed during and for the general election period; less 2. All other expenditures made during and for the general election period. E. Transportation expenses. 1. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (D), the costs of transportation relating to the election of a participating statewide or legislative office candidate shall not be considered a direct campaign expense and shall not be reported by the candidate as expenditures or as in-kind contributions. 2. If a participating candidate travels for campaign purposes in a privately owned automobile, the candidate may: a. Use campaign funds to reimburse the owner of the automobile at a rate not to exceed the state mileage reimbursement rate in which event the reimbursement shall be considered a direct campaign expense and shall be reported as an expenditure and reported in the reporting period in which the expenditure was incurred. If a candidate chooses to use campaign funds to reimburse, the candidate shall keep an itinerary of the trip, including name and type of event or events attended, miles traveled and the rate at which the reimbursement was made. This subsection applies to candidate owned automobiles in addition to any other automobile. b. Use campaign funds to pay for direct fuel purchases for the candidate’s automobile only and shall be reported. If a candidate chooses to use campaign funds for direct fuel purchases, the candidate shall keep an itinerary of the trip, including name and type of event or events attended, miles traveled and the rate at which the reimbursement could have been made. 3. Use of airplanes. a. If a participating candidate travels for campaign purposes in a privately owned airplane, within seven days from the date of travel, the candidate shall use campaign funds to reimburse the owner of the airplane at a rate of $150 per hour of flying time, in which event the reimbursement shall be considered a direct campaign expense and shall be reported as an expenditure. If the owner of the airplane is unwilling or unable to accept reimbursement, the participating candidate shall remit to the fund an amount equal to $150 per hour of flying time. b. If a participating candidate travels for campaign purposes in a state-owned airplane, within seven days from the date of travel, the candidate shall use campaign funds to reimburse the state for the portion allocable to the campaign in accordance with subsection (3)(a). The portion of the trip attributable to state business shall not be reimbursed. If payment to the State is not possible, the payment shall be remitted to the Clean Elections Fund. 4. If a participating candidate rents a vehicle or purchases a ticket or fare on a commercial carrier for campaign purposes, the actual costs of such rental (including fuel costs), ticket or fare shall be considered a direct campaign expense and shall be reported as an expenditure. F. A participating candidate shall not use funds in the candidate’s campaign account for: 1. Costs of legal defense in any campaign law enforcement proceeding or for any affirmative claim or litigation in court or before the Commission regarding a campaign. This prohibition does not bar use of campaign funds for payments to attorneys or certified accountants for proactive compliance advice and assistance. 2. Food and beverages for staff and volunteers exceeding $11 for breakfast, $16 for lunch, and $27 for dinner, per person. 3. Personal use, which includes, but is not limited to, any item listed below: a. Household food items or supplies. b. Clothing, other than items of de minimis value used in the campaign, such as campaign t-shirts or caps with campaign slogans. c. Tuition payments, other than those associated with training campaign staff. d. Mortgage, loan, rent, lease, or utility payments: i. For any part of a personal residence of the candidate or Family Member; or ii. For real or personal property owned or leased by the candidate or a Family Member and used for campaign purposes, to the extent payments exceed the fair market value of the property usage. e. Admission to a sporting event, concert, theater, or other form of entertainment, unless it is part of a specific campaign activity. f. Dues, fees, or gratuities at a country club, health club, recreational facility, or other non-political organization, unless they are part of the costs of a specific fundraising event that takes place on the organization’s premises. g. Gifts or donations. h. Extended warranties or other similar purchase options that extend beyond the campaign. 4. Payment to a Family Member or an enterprise owned in whole or part by a Family Member, for the provision of goods or services to the extent payments exceed the fair market value of the goods or services. All such payments shall be clearly itemized and indicated as such in all campaign finance reports.