Chapter 2.02
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITATIONS
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Sections:
2.02.010 Findings and purpose – Statutory authority.
2.02.020 Definitions.
2.02.030 Contributions – Restrictions generally.
2.02.040 Campaign expenditure ceilings and contribution limits.
2.02.050 Reporting of contributions during the last 10 days of a campaign.
2.02.010 Findings and purpose – Statutory authority.
Pursuant to the authority granted to the city council in Government Code Section 81013 permitting the imposition of additional local requirements to the Political Reform Act of 1974, the city council hereby finds that it is in the public interest to place realistic and enforceable limits on the amounts which may be contributed to political campaigns in municipal elections. (Ord. 2002-03 § 1, 2002).
2.02.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, definitions codified in the Political Reform Act, beginning at Section 82000 et seq., shall apply to this chapter. (Ord. 2002-03 § 1, 2002).
2.02.030 Contributions – Restrictions generally.
A. No person or committee shall make any monetary contribution or contributions which exceed the aggregate amount of $100.00.
B. No person or committee shall make any nonmonetary contribution or contributions which exceeds the aggregate amount of $400.00.
C. Return of Excess Contributions. If the contribution limitation set forth in subsections A and B of this section is exceeded, the candidate must, within 15 days after receipt, return to the contributor the excess amount in monetary value form.
D. Limits Applied Separately. The candidate contribution limit of subsections A and B of this section apply to each person. Therefore, a husband and wife may each make contributions up to the specified limit, including contributions made from shared or community property. When a husband or wife makes a contribution to a candidate or committee, using a joint checking account or other instrument, the contribution will apply to the spouse signing the check.
E. Nothing in this section shall limit the amount which a candidate may contribute to his or her campaign for an elected city office.
F. The prohibitions stated in subsections A and B of this section shall not apply to contributions made or received in support of, or in opposition to, a ballot measure. (Ord. 2002-03 § 1, 2002).
2.02.040 Campaign expenditure ceilings and contribution limits.
A. A candidate who adopts a campaign expenditure ceiling of $10,000 is permitted a higher contribution limit of $200.00 for monetary contributions and $800.00 for nonmonetary contributions.
B. Each candidate shall file a campaign expenditure statement on a form provided by the city clerk, adopting or rejecting the campaign expenditure ceilings of subsection A of this section at the time of filing nomination papers.
C. A candidate’s adoption of the campaign expenditure ceilings of subsection A of this section may not be withdrawn. (Ord. 2002-03 § 1, 2002).
2.02.050 Reporting of contributions during the last 10 days of a campaign.
During the last 10 days prior to election day, all monetary contributions which exceed the aggregate amount of $100.00 and nonmonetary contributions which exceed the aggregate amount of $400.00 must be reported to the city clerk on the appropriate campaign contribution form within 24 hours of the date of contribution (unless said contributions fall on a Saturday in which case the contribution shall be reported on the next regular business day). (Ord. 2002-03 § 1, 2002).