Bill would force disposal of unused campaign funds

A similar bill in 2009 passed the Senate 21-0 but died in the Assembly.

That bill, SB210, set a four-year limit for former officials to dispose of cash. It was sponsored by John Lee, a former Democratic senator from North Las Vegas who was defeated in November.

During hearings on that bill in 2009, former longtime GOP Sen. Bill Raggio, now deceased, said the intent of the original campaign finance law was to require candidates to dispose of funds.

"Our intent was only for elected candidates to continue to use money during their term of office or during their next election," Raggio said at the time. "If you did not fit into that category, then you did not have the right to keep the money."

Lee, contacted by telephone Thursday, said he sponsored the bill four years ago to "clean up the image" of elected officials, adding it was not targeted toward a particular lawmaker.

"This was always a cloud over us," he said. "It just needed to be addressed."

Buckley did not respond to a telephone message seeking comment.