Assembly minority leader asks AG, SOS to probe contributions from ex-speaker

In a letter sent today to Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and Secretary of State Ross Miller, Assembly Minority Leader Pat Hickey asks them to look into $65,000 in legislative contributions from former Speaker Barbara Buckley.

The missive, attached here and co-signed by state Sen. Greg Brower, a former U.S. attorney, argues that the donations violate NRS 294A. 160(6), which "requires that an elected official close his or her campaign account by no later than the 15th day of the second month after the expiration of his or her term of office."

Ah, if only Nevada laws were clear and did not conflict. The reason Buckley's contributions may be legal -- and the letter seems to acknowledge the potential loophole -- is that the next statute, NRS 294A.160 (7), says the person "may use the unspent campaign contributions in a future election."

So Buckley or anyone else can just hold onto campaign funds in perpetuity by just indicating there may be a future bid for office. Perpetual candidacy, allowing you to hoard and/or disburse money? Apparently.

(This issue was raised in September in Brower's race against Sheila Leslie. I have attached that letter here, too.)