Section 85304 Of Article 3. Contribution Limitations From California Government Code >> Title 9. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 3.
85304
. (a) A candidate for elective state office or an elected
state officer may establish a separate account to defray attorney's
fees and other related legal costs incurred for the candidate's or
officer's legal defense if the candidate or officer is subject to one
or more civil or criminal proceedings or administrative proceedings
arising directly out of the conduct of an election campaign, the
electoral process, or the performance of the officer's governmental
activities and duties. These funds may be used only to defray those
attorney fees and other related legal costs.
(b) A candidate may receive contributions to this account that are
not subject to the contribution limits set forth in this article.
However, all contributions shall be reported in a manner prescribed
by the commission.
(c) Once the legal dispute is resolved, the candidate shall
dispose of any funds remaining after all expenses associated with the
dispute are discharged for one or more of the purposes set forth in
paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section
89519.
(d) (1) For purposes of this section and Section 85304.5,
"attorney's fees and other related legal costs" includes only the
following:
(A) Attorney's fees and other legal costs related to the defense
of the candidate or officer.
(B) Administrative costs directly related to compliance with the
requirements of this title.
(2) "Attorney's fees and other related legal costs" does not
include expenses for fundraising, media or political consulting fees,
mass mailing or other advertising, or, except as expressly
authorized by subdivision (c) of Section 89513, a payment or
reimbursement for a fine, penalty, judgment or settlement, or a
payment to return or disgorge contributions made to any other
committee controlled by the candidate or officer.