Advisory Opinions Archives 1981 to 1990
DISCLAIMER: Please note that the older advisory opinions may have been superseded by subsequent law, in particular the 1993 Amendments to the Reporting Act. In addition, the Commission may have adopted subsequent regulations and/or issued subsequent advisory opinions concerning an issue addressed in an Advisory Opinion.
Advisory Opinion No. 13 1990 
Campaign funds use for clothing and refreshments for campaign.
Advisory Opinion No. 12 1990 Lobbying coalition and reporting.
Advisory Opinion No. 11 1990 Accepting contributions by credit card.
Advisory Opinion No. 10 1990 Discount coupons on campaign flyer and campaign contribution.
Advisory Opinion No. 09 1990 Use of 900 line to solicit telephone contributions.
Advisory Opinion No. 08 1990 Partnership of generating company filing and contributing to gubernatorial candidates.
Advisory Opinion No. 07 1990 Alternate power producers and contributions. Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 06 1990 Candidates for political party committee positions do not have to report.
Advisory Opinion No. 05 1990 Does municipality have to report if it advocates passage of a public question in a municipal newsletter.
Advisory Opinion No. 04 1990 Using campaign funds to pay for funeral of campaign volunteer.
Advisory Opinion No. 03 1990 CPC using campaign funds for computer equipment.
Advisory Opinion No. 02 1990 Assembly members controlling CPCs using personal funds for expenses and then being reimbursed by CPC.
Advisory Opinion No. 01 1990 Using surplus campaign funds for candidacy in future state or federal election.
Advisory Opinion No. 29 1989 Reporting legal expenses by group supporting a referendum to change of form of government.
Advisory Opinion No. 28 1989 “Victory Fund” committee allocating disbursements to CPCs on behalf of which it is raising money.
Advisory Opinion No. 27 1989 Political committee advocating non-binding county referendum forced off ballot and reporting.
Advisory Opinion No. 26 1989 Unauthorized advertisement (independent expenditure) on behalf of local candidate. Does candidate have to report this?
Advisory Opinion No. 25 1989 Article in county paid publication by County Commissioner running for legislature a "communication" and if so are costs subject to disclosure?
Advisory Opinion No. 24 1989 Investing campaign funds in company where officeholder is an executive.
Advisory Opinion No. 23 1989 Withdrawn
Advisory Opinion No. 22 1989 Circulation of press releases by legislator as reportable campaign expense if paid by state within 60 days of election.
Advisory Opinion No. 21 1989 Would video scripts used by state party be applicable to spending limit of gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 20 1989 Withdrawn
Advisory Opinion No. 19 1989 Would video scripts used by state party be applicable to spending limit of gubernatorial candidate?
Advisory Opinion No. 18 1989 County party committee members raising and spending funds to pay attorney to oppose special primary election after tie in original primary.
Advisory Opinion No. 17 1989 Independent expenditures and gubernatorial campaigns.
Advisory Opinion No. 16 1989 Ban on campaign contributions by banking corporations. Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 15 1989 CPC using funds to pay for car phone of officeholder.
Advisory Opinion No. 14 1989 Candidate using film footage for State Senate campaign in gubernatorial campaign.
Advisory Opinion No. 13 1989 Withdrawn - Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 12 1989 Political parties and getting out the vote a primary election.
Advisory Opinion No. 11 1989 Using campaign funds to pay for campaign executive director, treasurer.
Advisory Opinion No. 10 1989 Contributions from banking and insurance companies.
Advisory Opinion No. 09 1989 Paying officeholder to work on campaign, borrowing money from CPC account for personal use.
Advisory Opinion No. 08 1989 Reporting real estate "income" in personal financial disclosure.
Advisory Opinion No. 07 1989 Reporting responsibilities for pre-candidacy gubernatorial campaign activities.
Advisory Opinion No. 06 1989 Local party committee and counsel cost due to litigation from a candidacy.
Advisory Opinion No. 05 1989 Gubernatorial primary activities of state party.
Advisory Opinion No. 04 1989 Political contributions by regulated industries. Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 03 1989 Using CPC funds to purchase membership in fraternal organizations.
Advisory Opinion No. 02 1989 Using CPC funds to invest in equities.
Advisory Opinion No. 01 1989 Maximum contributions from both CPC and contributors to CPC to gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 17 1988 PAC contribution to charitable organization.
Advisory Opinion No. 16 1988 Prohibition against some companies making political contributions applicable to public utility in solid waste industry.
Advisory Opinion No. 15 1988 Oil company contributions to legislative candidates. Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 14 1988 Unspent campaign funds of deceased candidate, paying for his hospital and personal expenses and endowing a scholarship.
Advisory Opinion No. 13 1988 Committee supporting non-binding referendum and potential gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 12 1988 “Testing the Waters” for potential gubernatorial candidate, would such activity apply to spending caps.
Advisory Opinion No. 11 1988 Employees of regulated industries forming PAC.
Advisory Opinion No. 10 1988 Unexpended campaign funds and "testing the waters" gubernatorial campaign activities and reporting.
Advisory Opinion No. 09 1988 Disbursement to county party committee to pay a portion of salary of political aide.
Advisory Opinion No. 08 1988 Using campaign funds to pay for cost of attending national political convention as delegate.
Advisory Opinion No. 07 1988 “Testing the Waters” for potential gubernatorial candidate, reporting and would such activity apply to spending caps.
Advisory Opinion No. 06 1988 Exploratory committee for potential gubernatorial primary candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 05 1988 Using surplus campaign funds for legislative district office.
Advisory Opinion No. 04 1988 Withdrawn
Advisory Opinion No. 03 1988 Joint CPC for fundraiser for two Assembly candidates.
Advisory Opinion No. 02 1988 Law firm filing as a peripheral CPC.
Advisory Opinion No. 01 1988 Use of PAC funds for litigation.
Advisory Opinion No. 18 1987 Transferring campaign funds to town after death of candidate to help maintain cemetery.
Advisory Opinion No. 17 1987 Use of excess campaign funds.
Advisory Opinion No. 16 1987 Corporation making political contributions. Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 15 1987 Organization becoming CPC solely by making contributions.
Advisory Opinion No. 14 1987 Organization becoming CPC solely by making contributions.
Advisory Opinion No. 13 1987 Does company fall into prohibition of statue? Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 12 1987 Business entity becoming political committee or be subject to reporting requirements.
Advisory Opinion No. 11 1987 Identifying contributors to professional PAC.
Advisory Opinion No. 10 1987 Corporations contributing to New Jersey candidates. Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 09 1987 Formation of political committee by County Commissioner Board.
Advisory Opinion No. 08 1987 Investment banks and political contributions. Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 07 1987 Allocating expenses among candidates.
Advisory Opinion No. 06 1987 Contributions from oil company to candidates. Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 05 1987 Identification of sources for fees and commissions in Personal Financial Disclosure forms.
Advisory Opinion No. 04 1987 Political activities of hospital and its profit and non-profit affiliates.
Advisory Opinion No. 03 1987 Standing for which advisory opinions can be issued.
Advisory Opinion No. 02 1987 County party committees and financially supporting candidates in primaries.
Advisory Opinion No. 01 1987 Lobbyists and legislative agents and reporting.
Advisory Opinion No. 10 1986 Independent political committee publishing literature opposing a candidate and reporting.
Advisory Opinion No. 09 1986 Nature of newsletters, in-kind contribution.
Advisory Opinion No. 08 1986 Contributions and expenses for public questions and for those that do not make ballot.
Advisory Opinion No. 07 1986 Trade association PAC. Some of its members are regulated. Contributions and reporting requirements.
Advisory Opinion No. 06 1986 Withdrawn
Advisory Opinion No. 05 1986 Disposition of remaining funds by gubernatorial candidate committee at end of campaign.
Advisory Opinion No. 04 1986 Citizens group newsletter endorsing candidate for Board of Education. Contribution and reporting requirements.
Advisory Opinion No. 03 1986 Use of excess gubernatorial campaign funds to pay off debt.
Advisory Opinion No. 02 1986 Excess campaign funds transferred to fund for officeholder to publish newsletter on activities as officeholder.
Advisory Opinion No. 01 1986 Lawful or unlawful use of excess campaign funds.
Advisory Opinion No. 19 1985 Newsletter published by local party committee.
Advisory Opinion No. 18 1985 Payroll deductions by labor unions.
Advisory Opinion No. 17 1985 Withdrawn
Advisory Opinion No. 16 1985 Threshold for corporation reporting as political committee.
Advisory Opinion No. 15 1985 Request on behalf on anonymous entities. Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 14 1985 Threshold for corporation reporting as political committee.
Advisory Opinion No. 13 1985 Prohibiting contributions from certain corporations, reporting aggregate contributions for Federal and out of state candidates. Referred to OAG
Advisory Opinion No. 12 1985 Reporting threshold for political committee.
Advisory Opinion No. 11 1985 Independent expenditures and gubernatorial campaign.
Advisory Opinion No. 10 1985 Increased cost of campaigns.
Advisory Opinion No. 09 1985 Rejecting unsolicited contributions.
Advisory Opinion No. 08 1985 Fundraising involving discounts at restaurants and other establishments.
Advisory Opinion No. 07 1985 Percent of literature expense of Assembly Leadership Committee allocated to gubernatorial candidate if gubernatorial candidate is mentioned in literature.
Advisory Opinion No. 06 1985 Using campaign contributions to defray private expenses of candidate or others.
Advisory Opinion No. 05 1985 Legislators newsletters that include picture of Governor subject to reporting requirements and contribution limits to gubernatorial candidates.
Advisory Opinion No. 04 1985 Using surplus campaign funds to start a CPC and publish legislators newsletter.
Advisory Opinion No. 03 1985 “Testimonial” dinner committee helping pay debts incurred by state party committee.
Advisory Opinion No. 02 1985 “Governor's Club” and campaign contributions to gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 01 1985 Publishing of newsletter by potential candidate for local office.
Advisory Opinion No. 18 1984 Costs incurred by legislator and legislative leader in that role who may become gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 17 1984 Using unspent campaign funds for custodial services for legislative office.
Advisory Opinion No. 16 1984 Contributions and expenditures for recall campaign.
Advisory Opinion No. 15 1984 Advocacy campaign featuring Governor and future re-election campaign.
Advisory Opinion No. 14 1984 Unpaid personal services for potential gubernatorial candidate, also services by paid clerical staff to help the unpaid personal services of partner.
Advisory Opinion No. 13 1984 Account for office expenses of legislator.
Advisory Opinion No. 12 1984 Political committee aggregating non-New Jersey contributions.
Advisory Opinion No. 11 1984 Loans to PAC.
Advisory Opinion No. 10 1984 Fundraising auction for potential gubernatorial candidate, including donation of items.
Advisory Opinion No. 09 1984 Use of unexpended campaign funds in future campaign and reporting responsibilities.
Advisory Opinion No. 08 1984 Unsuccessful candidate in recall election pursuing personal liability for campaign debts.
Advisory Opinion No. 07 1984 Using unspent campaign funds to donate to a high school scholarship fund.
Advisory Opinion No. 06 1984 School board candidate publishing newsletter.
Advisory Opinion No. 05 1984 Accepting campaign contribution after campaign account was closed.
Advisory Opinion No. 04 1984 Using excess campaign funds to contribute to a non-profit which would make legislator a life member and award legislator a plaque.
Advisory Opinion No. 03 1984 Reporting requirements of attorneys who act as both a legal and legislative agent. Reporting travel expenses that are not exclusively related to lobbying.
Advisory Opinion No. 02 1984 Use of excess campaign funds at end of campaign for "thank you" party.
Advisory Opinion No. 01 1984 Use of excess campaign funds at end of campaign.
Advisory Opinion No. 22 1983 Designating campaign account to receive contributions for "thank you" dinner for retiring legislator and reporting.
Advisory Opinion No. 21 1983 Reporting requirements of newspaper ad criticizing local school board.
Advisory Opinion No. 20 1983 Use of unspent campaign funds by unsuccessful legislative candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 19 1983 Reporting of newspaper advertisements and letters sent under name of legislative candidate in districts where he is not a candidate urging vote based on issue.
Advisory Opinion No. 18 1983 Use of leftover campaign funds by legislator.
Advisory Opinion No. 17 1983 Publically distributed letter by company praising legislator just before election as campaign contribution.
Advisory Opinion No. 16 1983 Statute against insurance companies contributing applying to title insurance company buying ticket to fundraiser held by industry PAC.
Advisory Opinion No. 15 1983 Reporting of expenses incurred by legislator opposing reappointment of judge.
Advisory Opinion No. 14 1983 Candidate or campaign committee using casino supported bus trips to raise campaign contributions.
Advisory Opinion No. 13 1983 Reporting of funds raised at testimonial dinner in honor of legislator 4 weeks before election.
Advisory Opinion No. 12 1983 State party media campaign costs applied to potential gubernatorial reelection campaign.
Advisory Opinion No. 11 1983 Professional association reporting small gifts to legislators after passage of legislation.
Advisory Opinion No. 10 1983 Legislator running for reelection mailing a letter to a group detailing position on issue.
Advisory Opinion No. 09 1983 Campaign reporting by trade association, most activities non-political.
Advisory Opinion No. 08 1983 Bank opening a depository account for a candidate and reporting.
Advisory Opinion No. 07 1983 Reporting legal fees that include lobbying activities.
Advisory Opinion No. 06 1983 “Governor's Club” filing obligations.
Advisory Opinion No. 05 1983 “Friends of” Committee and aggregating contributions received from candidate's campaign committee.
Advisory Opinion No. 04 1983 Corporations prohibited from making contributions and subsidiary that is not licensed to do business in NJ but has right to condemn land.
Advisory Opinion No. 03 1983 “Friends of” Committee and “testing the waters” for potential gubernatorial campaign.
Advisory Opinion No. 02 1983 Filing disclosure for lobbyists conducting lobbying exclusively through outside legislative agent.
Advisory Opinion No. 01 1983 Treasurer resigning from non-closed political committee years after election.
Advisory Opinion No. 16 1982 The Commission declined to issue A.O. based on lacking jurisdiction.
Advisory Opinion No. 15 1982 Non-candidates contesting municipal runoff result having to disclose contributions and expenditures.
Advisory Opinion No. 14 1982 Withdrawn
Advisory Opinion No. 13 1982 Anonymous trade association planning to make campaign contributions in legislative elections and filing requirements.
Advisory Opinion No. 12 1982 Candidates in municipal runoff and reporting expenses from litigation in election.
Advisory Opinion No. 11 1982 Association established by state statute and whether it is subdivision of state or agent of subdivision of state and reporting.
Advisory Opinion No. 10 1982 Reporting of personal services, paid and volunteer, and reporting of vendor costs overruns by gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 09 1982 Can industry association pay administrative costs of PAC it has established.
Advisory Opinion No. 08 1982 Using excess campaign funds after municipal election when candidate is in runoff.
Advisory Opinion No. 07 1982 Whether group of attorneys has undertaken enough lobbying expenses as to have to file Annual Report as lobbyists.
Advisory Opinion No. 06 1982 Company or firm that engages in business of influencing legislation and receives fees from lobbyists for services relating to lobbying activity must file annual report if it did not do any "direct, express or intentional" efforts to influence legislation with Governor, legislators or staff.
Advisory Opinion No. 05 1982 Legislative agents reporting lobbying activity in year it occurred or year it was billed.
Advisory Opinion No. 04 1982 Lobbyist filing L-2 forms on behalf of clients for whom the firm is registered as legislative agent.
Advisory Opinion No. 03 1982 Including in lobbyist report costs of legislative breakfast where attending legislators reimburse lobbyist organization.
Advisory Opinion No. 02 1982 Filing obligations of ideological PAC.
Advisory Opinion No. 01 1982 Transferring money for recount fund of gubernatorial candidate after debts have been paid to state party committee.
Advisory Opinion No. 47 1981 Fundraising measures by unsuccessful gubernatorial primary candidate with debts remaining, testimonial dinner in part to benefit candidate, who is retiring from public office, loans to pay back campaign vendors.
Advisory Opinion No. 46 1981 Permissible of campaign contributions not listed in campaign.
Advisory Opinion No. 45 1981 Inaugural committee seeking loan from state party committee.
Advisory Opinion No. 44 1981 Inaugural: Non-profit organizations sponsoring events, printed program, contributions of corporations and partnerships, souvenirs.
Advisory Opinion No. 43 1981 Percentage of expenses of visit of U.S. Vice President allocated to gubernatorial nominee.
Advisory Opinion No. 42 1981 Gubernatorial primary candidate who received public funds could make loan to party committee in general election and expenditure.
Advisory Opinion No. 41 1981 Municipal recall committee reporting contributions and expenses for attorney hired to defend sufficiency of recall petitions.
Advisory Opinion No. 40 1981 Withdrawn
Advisory Opinion No. 39 1981 Allocation of direct mail ads by State party Committee to gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 38 1981 Allocation of TV ads by State Party Committee to gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 37 1981 Allocation to gubernatorial candidate of brochure that mentions local and legislative candidates.
Advisory Opinion No. 36 1981 Corporation contributing to PAC which contributes to gubernatorial candidate could also contribute to same gubernatorial candidate and contribution limit.
Advisory Opinion No. 35 1981 Could political committee comingle campaign and non-campaign contributions and expenditures in its campaign depository bank account?
Advisory Opinion No. 33 1981 Share of expenses of state party committee allocated to gubernatorial nominee, also status of national party committees.
Advisory Opinion No. 32 1981 Political party committee sponsoring fundraiser with primary candidates after primary.
Advisory Opinion No. 31 1981 Committee sponsoring "testimonial dinner" reporting contributions and expenses when some proceeds will go to a candidate on whose behalf dinner was held.
Advisory Opinion No. 30 1981 Parent association of PAC may pay for fundraising expenses for PAC?
Advisory Opinion No. 29 1981 Candidate at political party convention to nominate a candidate for County Commissioner and filing obligations.
Advisory Opinion No. 28 1981 Reporting and record retention responsibilities of political committee supporting candidate for public office when it receives contribution form another political committee.
Advisory Opinion No. 27 1981 Maintaining records of street money expenses below $25.00.
Advisory Opinion No. 26 1981 Media advertisement directed to stockholders or union members exempt from $800 contribution limit?
Advisory Opinion No. 24 1981 Circumstances in which local political party club would assume campaign reporting obligations.
Advisory Opinion No. 23 1981 Using public funds to pay bookkeeping expenses for withdrawn gubernatorial candidate. Gubernatorial candidate using resources previously used by a withdrawn gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 22 1981 Does a withdrawn gubernatorial candidate have to file personal financial disclosure.
Advisory Opinion No. 21 1981 Association of officeholder using "testimonial dinner" to pay off campaign debts.
Advisory Opinion No. 20 1981 Corporation or union distributing written communication soliciting contributions and supporting a gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 19 1981 Reporting by PAC, monthly reports of Federal PAC filed monthly in lieu of 25 day report.
Advisory Opinion No. 18 1981 Candidates for state committee office and reporting.
Advisory Opinion No. 17 1981 Concert tickets matchable through public financing.
Advisory Opinion No. 16 1981 Person expressing ideas or feelings through the media.
Advisory Opinion No. 15 1981 Use of candidate's own car and limit of use of candidate's own funds. Also campaign scheduler, advance man and expenditure limits.
Advisory Opinion No. 14 1981 Federal PAC contributing to State PAC.
Advisory Opinion No. 13 1981 Using public funds to pay for polls, for staff used to produce media, for research data. Also fundraiser entertainment.
Advisory Opinion No. 12 1981 Reporting election activities of independent organization.
Advisory Opinion No. 11 1981 Reporting proceeds from "testimonial dinner" for legislator.
Advisory Opinion No. 10 1981 Work performed by artist on voluntary basis, is such artwork a contribution if bought from campaign, reporting fair value of painting.
Advisory Opinion No. 09 1981 Permissible use of public funds by gubernatorial candidate.
Advisory Opinion No. 08 1981 Regulations concerning lobbying activity.
Advisory Opinion No. 07 1981 Unable to provide response based on limitations by Chapter 44A of Title 19.
Advisory Opinion No. 06 1981 Use of public funds for disseminating information to voters vs. administrative costs.
Advisory Opinion No. 05 1981 Interpretation of limitation of term "lobbying activities.
Advisory Opinion No. 04 1981 Inclusion of food and beverage fundraising costs within expenditure limit.
Advisory Opinion No. 03 1981 Threshold for organization to report lobbying activities.
Advisory Opinion No. 02 1981 Use of excess campaign funds after election to pay for attending political and social functions.
Advisory Opinion No. 01 1981 Charity says it does not expend contributor funds to influence legislation.