HB365 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew SorrellAuditor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Campaign debt, require reporting of if contributions accepted to pay off, Secs. 17-5-2, 17-5-7, 17-5-8, 17-5-9 am'd.

Summary

HB365 creates the Campaign Debt Clarification Act, requiring reporting of post-election debt when contributions are used to pay it down and limiting contributions to the debt amount.

What This Bill Does

If a candidate, public official, or principal campaign committee accepts contributions within 120 days after an election to pay down campaign debt, they must report the debt to the appropriate filing official. They may not accept contributions that exceed the amount of debt reported. The bill creates a qualifying campaign debt disclosure form with an itemized list of debt and reductions during the 120-day period and allows amendments during that period. If contributions exceed the reported debt, the excess must be returned to the contributor within 10 days.

Who It Affects

• Candidates, public officials, and principal campaign committees who accept post-election contributions to pay down debt; they must report the debt and ensure contributions do not exceed the reported amount.
• Filing officials (Secretary of State or judge of probate) who receive and process the campaign debt reports.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Campaign Debt Clarification Act and amends Sections 17-5-2, 17-5-7, 17-5-8, and 17-5-9 to implement the changes.
• Requires reporting of campaign debt when contributions are used to pay down debt during the 120 days after the election to the appropriate filing official.
• Prohibits accepting contributions during the 120-day period that exceed the amount of debt reported; excess contributions must be returned to the contributor within 10 days.
• Establishes a qualifying campaign debt disclosure form, with an itemized list of outstanding debt and any reductions during the 120-day period, and allows amendments within that period.
• Maintains existing filing framework and electronic filing requirements for campaign reports.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Campaign Finances