Committee approves bill allowing campaign funds for residential security up to $12,000 a year

The Senate State and Local Government Committee voted to send SB23-20 to the calendar after a short presentation describing the bill as a response to security concerns for candidates and officeholders.

Sponsor Speaker Hale said SB23-20 authorizes candidates and officeholders to use campaign funds for residential security expenses up to $12,000 a year and emphasized the provision uses campaign money, not state funds. “This bill simply authorizes candidates and office holders use campaign funds for residential security expenses up to 12,000 a year,” the sponsor told the committee.

Committee members asked clarifying and lightly jocular questions about personal expenditures; discussion did not identify state funding or broader legal changes beyond the campaign‑fund authorization. The clerk called roll and the committee recorded one no and seven ayes; the bill passed out of the committee.

Next steps: SB23-20 will move to the Senate calendar; sponsors and staff did not request further committee work at this hearing.