chapter 5
Contribution Restrictions Although the Political Reform Act (Act) is primarily a disclosure law, there are several important restrictions and prohibitions on receiving contributions. This chapter reviews these restrictions and prohibitions, as well as some that are contained in laws other than the Act. In addition, while the receipt of campaign contributions generally will not create a conflict of interest for an elected officeholder in the performance of their duties, contributions may be the source of a conflict of interest for officeholders or candidates who are also appointed to certain boards or commissions. The section on “Disqualification and Campaign Contributions” covers this area of the law. A. Local Contribution Limits The Act does not contain contribution limits for local candidates, but provides that cities and counties may adopt contribution limits applicable to their elections. Many California cities and counties have adopted campaign ordinances that include contribution limits and other disclosure provisions.
QUICK TIP: Check with your local elections office to determine if local campaign finance rules apply to your campaign.
Effective January 1, 2021, a default contribution limit applies to city and county candidates when the city or county has not already enacted a contribution limit. Please see AB 571 (2019). The FPPC’s website lists cities and counties with local campaign finance rules and links to the ordinances. For questions about local contribution limits, candidates and committees should contact their city clerk, county elections office, or their City Attorney’s or County Counsel’s office.
Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov
Chapter 5.1
Campaign Manual 2 August 2023 Page 221
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