gift rules

Federal circuit courts are split on a core question of corruption law: whether state and local officials, and agents of organizations that contract with or receive benefits from the federal government, may lawfully accept gratuities.

It is generally a federal crime for state and local officials to act in their…

Continue Reading Gratuity or Gift?  The Supreme Court May Soon Delineate the Difference

The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) adopted on Thursday higher political contribution limits and public officer gift limits for the 2023-2024 political cycle. The new limits take effect on January 1, 2023.

Contribution Limits

Under the new limits, an individual, business entity, or committee/PAC can contribute $5,500 per election to candidates for state legislature, up from $4,900.  This means that individuals may generally give $11,000 per candidate per cycle, because the primary and general are considered separate elections.  The same limit also applies to a candidate for local office unless the locality has adopted its own limits.  The limit on contributions from an individual, business entity, or committee/PAC to a candidate for governor also increased, from $32,400 to $36,400 per election.  The limit on contributions to PACs that contribute to candidates increased from $8,100 to $9,100 per year, though PACs can also have a separate, noncontribution account with no limit.

The following chart has additional details on the limits for individuals in 2023 and 2024:

An individual, business entity, or committee/PAC may contribute to…

Governor $36,400 per election
Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Controller, Supt. of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner, and Board of Equalization $9,100 per election
Senate and Assembly $5,500 per election
City and County Candidates if no locally enacted limit $5,500 per election
CalPERS/CalSTRS $5,500 per election
Committee (PAC), other than a Political Party, that contributes to State Candidates $9,100 per calendar year
Political Party Account for State Candidates $45,500 per calendar year
Small Contributor Committee $200 per calendar year
Committee Non-Contribution Account No Limit per calendar year

Continue Reading California Raises Campaign Contribution and Gift Limits for 2023-2024