CaliforniaPolitical Reform Act of 1974: contribution limits.
What it does
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, 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. The amount of that contribution limit for an election occurring from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, inclusive, is $5,900.
More detail
This bill would apply that contribution limit and certain related provisions to candidates for judicial, school district, and community college district office. The bill would authorize the Judicial Council, school districts, and community college districts to impose more restrictive contribution limits on candidates for judicial, school district, and community college district office, respectively. The bill's provisions would become operative on January 1, 2027.
Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the Political Reform Act of 1974 is guilty of a misdemeanor. By adding new contribution limits to the act, the bill would expand the scope of an existing crime and thereby impose 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 act's purposes upon a 23 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.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Feb 2Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.Latest
- 2025
- May 23May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
- May 16Set for hearing May 23.
- May 12May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- May 6Set for hearing May 12.
- May 1Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Apr 30From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 1. Page 962.) (April 30).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 29From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on ED. (Ayes 4. Noes 1. Page 934.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on ED.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Education]. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 9Set for hearing April 30 in ED. pending receipt.
- Apr 4Set for hearing April 29.
- Apr 2Re-referred to Coms. on E. & C.A. and ED.Minor
- Mar 25From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.Major
- Mar 5Referred to Com. on RLS.Minor
- Feb 21From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
- Feb 20Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.Introduced