SB 328: Political Reform Act of 1974: contribution limits.

The Political Reform Act of 1974 prohibits a person, other than a small contributor committee or political party committee, from making to a candidate for elective state, county, or city office, and prohibits those candidates from accepting from a person, a contribution totaling more than $3,000 per election, as that amount is adjusted by the Fair Political Practices Commission in January of every odd-numbered year to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index.

This bill would apply those contribution limits to candidates for school district, community college district, and other special district elections. The bill would make certain other provisions of the act relating to contribution limits applicable to candidates for district office. However, the bill would authorize school districts, community college districts, and other special districts to impose contribution limits on candidates for district office that differ from the limits imposed by the act, as provided. This bill would retain the existing provisions of law until January 1, 2025, and on that date would repeal the existing law and make operative the provisions of the bill described in this paragraph.

The act makes a knowing or willful violation of its provisions punishable as a misdemeanor and subject to specified penalties. By adding new contribution limits to the act, the bill would expand the scope of an existing crime and thereby create a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a ²/₃ vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.

This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.