Bill
Bill > A2986
NJ A2986
NJ A2986Clarifies and strengthens disclosure requirements for certain complimentary tickets received by candidates, officeholders, political party officials, political committees and continuing political committees.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The purpose of this bill is to clarify and strengthen the disclosure requirements for certain types of complimentary tickets received by candidates, officeholders, political party officials and members of political committees and continuing political committees. Specifically, the bill is concerned with complimentary tickets to political fundraisers or events which are purchased by a person, organization or association and then given free of charge to a candidate, officeholder, political party official or member of a political committee or continuing political committee. In such a situation, the recipients are required to report to ELEC the receipt of complimentary tickets and they are to be considered in-kind contributions to the candidate, officeholder, official or member of a political committee or continuing political committee who uses the tickets to attend a fundraiser or event if either the face value or purchase price of each ticket is greater than $200. Any such tickets given to a candidate, officeholder, political party official or member of a political committee or continuing political committee and not used thereby need not be reported to ELEC. But if such tickets are given by a candidate, officeholder, official or member to another candidate, officeholder, official or member, the ultimate users of the tickets shall be considered to have received a reportable in-kind contribution from the candidate, officeholder, official or member providing the tickets were used.
AI Summary
This bill clarifies and strengthens the rules for reporting complimentary tickets received by candidates, officeholders, political party officials, and members of political committees. It defines "complimentary tickets" as anything given for free that allows attendance at an event or use of a benefit, and "officeholder" as someone currently holding public office. The bill states that if these tickets are purchased by someone and given to these officials or committees for use at a political fundraiser or event, and their value (face value or purchase price) exceeds $200, they are considered an "in-kind contribution" (a non-monetary donation) that must be reported to the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC). If the tickets are not used by the initial recipient, they don't need to be reported, but if they are then passed on to someone else who uses them, the person who passed them on is considered to have made an in-kind contribution and both the giver and the user must report it, provided the ticket value exceeds $200. The bill also specifies that for reporting purposes, the value of the ticket is the greater of its face value or purchase price. Notably, complimentary tickets for gubernatorial or legislative candidates with a face value over $250 are exempt from reporting as gifts, but if purchased by a third party and given to these candidates with a value over $200, they are considered reportable gifts.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A2986 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3000/2986_I1.HTM |
Loading...