Summary of Request From: Commission Staff
The Advisory Opinion Request seeks clarification regarding the proper application of the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Act to factual situations involving campaign expenditures for use of aircraft for campaign purposes pursuant to an arrangement where the candidate is a part-owner in a company that owns aircraft for which all owners pay a fixed monthly fee to use the aircraft.
1) Does the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Act allow campaign expenditures for use of aircraft for campaign purposes under circumstances where the candidate or the candidate’s spouse own an interest in an airplane or when the candidate has entered into an aircraft sharing arrangement where all owners pay a fixed monthly fee to use the aircraft?
2) If the above expenditure is permissible under The Act then what is the proper manner in which to report the expenditure on a Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report?
3) Would a candidate be required to report the expense pursuant to Commission Rules 189-3.06 (2), 189-3.06(4) and 189-3.06(5)?
Posted: June 18, 2012