New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 19 - OTHER AGENCIES › ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION › Chapter 25 - REGULATIONS OF THE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION › Subchapter 6 - RECEIPT AND USE OF FUNDS › Section 19:25-6.7 - Ordinary and necessary officeholding expenses

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The term
				  "ordinary and necessary expenses of holding public office" as used in
				  19:25-6.5(a)6 
				  means any expense that reasonably promotes or carries out the responsibilities
				  of a person holding elective public office, except that no funds received by a
				  candidate, candidate committee, or joint candidates committee shall be used for
				  the payment of any expense arising from the furnishing, staffing or operation
				  of an office used in connection with the officeholder's official duties as an
				  elected public official.
(b) The
				  word "furnishing" as used in (a) above shall be construed to prohibit the use
				  of contributions received by a candidate, candidate committee or joint
				  candidates committee for the purchase or lease of furniture, equipment or other
				  appointments that are physically situated at an office facility used in
				  connection with the officeholder's official duties as an elected public
				  official. This prohibition shall not be applicable to the purchase or lease of
				  office furniture or equipment situated in the residence of the officeholder and
				  used in conjunction with the officeholder's duties.
(c) The word "staffing" as used in (a) above
				  shall be construed to prohibit the use of contributions received by a
				  candidate, candidate committee or joint candidates committee to pay a salary or
				  fee as compensation to any person for performing duties to assist the
				  officeholder in carrying out the officeholder's duties as an elected public
				  official.
(d) The word "operation"
				  as used in (a) above shall be construed to prohibit the use of contributions
				  received by a candidate, candidate committee or joint candidates committee for
				  the payment of any rent, utility or maintenance expense incurred for an office
				  facility used in connection with the officeholder's official duties as an
				  elected public official.
(e)
				  Permissible uses of funds as ordinary and necessary expenses of holding public
				  office shall include, but not be limited to, the following provided the costs
				  are not paid for by the State of New Jersey, or by any political subdivision of
				  the State:
1. Costs of communications to
				  constituents, including:
i. The production,
				  circulation and postage of newsletters, mailings or other written materials for
				  officeholding duties;
ii. The
				  sponsorship or holding of a seminar or other meeting to be attended by
				  constituents;
iii. The making of
				  donations to charitable or non-profit organizations or activities that promote
				  the welfare of constituents, such as the sponsorship of a neighborhood sports
				  team;
iv. The framing of honorary
				  resolutions for constituents; and
v. The nominal purchase of memorial or
				  get-well gifts, flowers, party favors, or similar items for constituents or
				  other persons involved in the execution of the officeholder's duties;