H.R. 4786 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Jul 29, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires candidates to disburse leftover campaign funds
When a candidate's campaign ends, they have leftover money in their campaign account. This bill says they must give that money away within a certain time period. The funds can go back to donors, be donated to nonprofit organizations, or be transferred to political party committees. If a former candidate wants to become a registered lobbyist or foreign agent, they must follow these rules first.
How it affects you
This mainly affects candidates and their campaigns rather than everyday voters. It does set rules around what happens to campaign money so it doesn't sit in accounts or get used in ways the law doesn't allow. Most people won't directly notice this change, but it shapes how campaigns handle their finances after elections end.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jul 29, 2025)
Honest Elections and Campaign, No Gain Act
This bill establishes certain requirements for disbursing unused funds after a federal election. The bill also requires former candidates serving as registered lobbyists or foreign agents to comply with disbursement requirements.
Specifically, the bill requires each authorized committee or leadership political action committee (PAC) of a candidate to disburse all unused funds within a specified time period beginning after an election or before the candidate registers as a lobbyist or foreign agent, unless the candidate files to run for office again before the disbursement period begins.
A committee or PAC disbursing unspent funds shall first pay any obligations incurred. If funds are left over, the committee or PAC may only disburse the funds in one or more of the following ways: (1) returning funds to donors; (2) making contributions to nonprofit organizations; and (3) transferring funds without limitation to a national, state, or local committee of a political party. The bill generally prohibits disbursements to relatives of the candidate.
A former candidate must, in order to register as a lobbyist or foreign agent, comply with the disbursement requirements outlined by this bill.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 4786
A BILL
Honest Elections and Campaign, No Gain Act
Sponsor: Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) · Introduced Jul 29, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 29, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”
Sections
Sections · 4
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Requiring authorized committees of candidates to disburse funds remaining unexpended after date of electionNo change
- Sec. 3Requiring former candidates serving as registered lobbyists to certify compliance with disbursement requirementsNo change
- Sec. 4Requiring former candidates serving as foreign agents to certify compliance with disbursement requirementsNo change