Authorizes the expendure of contributions received by a candidate or a political committee for security expenses incurred to address ongoing dangers and threats to a candidate, the campaign staff for such candidate, or the candidate's immediate family related to the status or activities as a candidate for elective office or holder of elective office.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
10886
IN ASSEMBLY
April 8, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. WALKER -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to security expenses for
candidates for and holders of elective office
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The election law is amended by adding a new section 14-131
2 to read as follows:
3 § 14-131. Use of campaign funds for security expenses. 1. Contrib-
4 utions received by a candidate or a political committee may be expended
5 for any security expense incurred to address ongoing dangers and threats
6 to such candidate, the campaign staff for such candidate, or the candi-
7 date's immediate family related to the status or activities as a candi-
8 date for elective office or holder of elective office.
9 2. Security expenses authorized pursuant to this section shall not:
10 (a) be paid from public matching funds provided pursuant to title two
11 of this article;
12 (b) be used to purchase firearms or ammunition; or
13 (c) be directed to any family member of a candidate or office holder
14 or entity owned or controlled by such candidate or office holder or
15 family member thereof.
16 3. Any candidate or office holder may determine that the security
17 expense is reasonable and shall not require a finding or evidence of a
18 specific danger or threat or verification by law enforcement.
19 4. Any security expense incurred pursuant to this section shall be
20 included in the statements required to be filed pursuant to this arti-
21 cle.
22 5. The state board of elections may issue advisory opinions upon
23 request regarding the eligibility of use of contributions for security
24 expenditures.
25 6. As used in this section:
26 (a) "Security expense" means any purchase, installation, maintenance,
27 and upgrade of security measures, including but not limited to:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15421-01-6
A. 10886 2
1 (i) non-structural security devices, such as security hardware, locks,
2 alarm systems, motion detectors, and security camera systems;
3 (ii) structural security devices, such as wiring, lighting, gates,
4 doors, and fencing intended solely to provide security; security person-
5 nel and services that are bona fide, legitimate, and professional;
6 (iii) cybersecurity software, devices, and services; and
7 (iv) monitoring and other services, including maintenance, directly
8 associated with such non-structural and structural security devices.
9 (b) "Immediate family" means a spouse, registered domestic partner, or
10 any minor child residing in the household of the candidate or office
11 holder.
12 7. The state board of elections is authorized to promulgate any rules
13 or regulations necessary to implement this section.
14 § 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall
15 have become a law.
