New Maryland Rules Would Curb Some Uses Of Campaign Funds

New rules proposed by the State Board of Elections would forbid candidates from dipping into their political funds to pay for such things as foreign travel, tuition or mounting a legal defense to charges unrelated to the campaign.

The proposals are not among the batch of regulations Republican Gov.-elect Larry Hogan and his campaign expressed concern about this week, as he accused Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley of trying to sneak last-minute policy changes into the Maryland code. They are, however, among the regulations scheduled to be reviewed by a General Assembly committee before they go into effect.

Jared DeMarinis, campaign finance director at the elections board, said the governor's office played no role in the content or timing of the proposed rules. He said the bipartisan board, an independent agency, approved the proposals unanimously at its October meeting.
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