Honest Elections and Campaign, No Gain Act

Summary

Requires candidate authorized committees and leadership PACs to disburse or otherwise dispose of unspent campaign funds within a defined two-year period after an election, limits payments to relatives, and allows remaining funds to be returned to donors, donated to charities, or transferred to party committees. Adds verify-under-penalty-of-perjury certifications to Lobbying Disclosure Act and Foreign Agents Registration Act filings by former candidates who register as lobbyists or agents, confirming compliance with the new disposition rules. The rules take effect beginning with the November 2026 general election.

• Authorized campaign committees and leadership PACs must disburse unspent funds within a defined two-year 'applicable disbursement period' unless the candidate qualifies for the next election before that period begins.
• After paying outstanding committee obligations, remaining funds may only be returned to donors, donated to qualified charities, or transferred to party committees.
• Direct payments to a candidate's relatives are barred except for certain reportable committee obligations.
• New certification under penalty of perjury required on Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations for former candidates who become lobbyists, confirming committee compliance with disposition rules.
• New certification under penalty of perjury required on FARA registrations for former candidates who become agents of foreign principals, confirming committee compliance.
• Applies starting with the November 2026 regular general election for FECA amendments and to LDA/FARA filings on or after that election.
• Makes conforming statutory changes to FECA definitions and permitted-use language to reflect the new disposition requirement.
• Focuses allowable post-election uses of funds toward donors, charities, or party committees rather than indefinite retention or broader personal or family disbursements.