DATE: August 4, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Daniel C. Cederborg, County Counsel
SUBJECT: Campaign Contribution Limits Ordinance
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Conduct first hearing to amend the Fresno County Ordinance Code, Title 2, Chapter 2.62 to add new section 2.62.040 "Campaign Contribution Limits," and to amend current section 2.62.055 "Penalty for violation,' waive reading of the Ordinance in its entirety and set the second hearing for August 18, 2020; designate Count Counsel to prepare a fair and adequate summary of the proposed Ordinance; and direct the Clerk of the Board to post and publish the required summary in accordance with Government Code, section 25124(b)(1)
REPORT
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
The Board of Supervisors could decline to pass a county ordinance to set campaign limits for candidates for County elective office in which case the contribution limit provided for in California Government Code §85301 would become applicable to candidates for County elective offices beginning on January 1, 2021
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost with the recommended action.
DISCUSSION:
In 2019, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 571 which provided that the limit on contributions to candidates for local governmental offices would be the same as those set for candidates state-wide office in California Government Code § 85301 unless the governing body of the local government set different limits on campaign contributions prior to January 1, 2021 pursuant to the authority granted in Government Code § 85702.5. The state-wide limit contained in Government Code § 85301 is three thousand dollars ($3,000) per election cycle. There are some exceptions to the state-wide limit for certain donors such as “small contributor committees” or “political party committees.” The proposed County Ordinance amendment would set the contribution limit for candidates for County elected officers to thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for individuals and all types of entities.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Ordinance
Ordinance - Red-Line
On file with Clerk - Ordinance Summary
CAO ANALYST:
Raul Guerra