Campaigns and Campaign Finance - As introduced, authorizes the use of campaign funds for the payment of fines, fees, and penalties assessed for the violation of campaign finance or ethics laws. - Amends TCA Title 2, Chapter 10.

SB 617 would change Tennessee campaign finance law to allow candidates and committees to use campaign funds to pay fines, fees, or penalties from violations of campaign finance or ethics rules. This directly affects campaign committees that face enforcement actions under Title 2, Chapter 10 or Title 3, Chapter 6 of Tennessee law. The bill amends Section 2-10-114(a) by adding a new provision (subdivision (9)) explicitly permitting this use of funds, while removing an existing restriction. The change would remove the current prohibition against using campaign money for such penalties. This is a policy adjustment to campaign fund usage, not a new enforcement mechanism.