Honest Elections and Campaign, No Gain Act

This bill says candidates’ campaign committees and leadership PACs must use or give out leftover campaign money within a set two-year window, and before any lobbying or foreign-agent work begins. First they must pay campaign debts. Any money left can only be refunded to donors, donated to qualifying charities, or transferred to party committees. It also bars paying relatives, except to cover real campaign bills. If the candidate has already officially qualified to run in the next election before the window starts, this rule does not apply to them during that period. These changes start with the November 2026 general election.

If a former candidate later registers as a lobbyist or as a foreign agent, they must certify under penalty of perjury that their committees followed these rules, starting after the November 2026 election.

• Who is affected: Candidates’ authorized committees and leadership PACs; former candidates who register as lobbyists or foreign agents .
• What changes: Clear out leftover funds by the deadline; only refund donors, donate to charities, or transfer to party committees; no paying relatives except for real campaign bills; certification required if registering to lobby or as a foreign agent .
• When: Applies beginning with the November 2026 general election and for registrations filed after that date.