City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2023-00182 3/21/2023 Consent Item 6.
(Pass for Publication) An Ordinance Amending Various Sections of Sacramento City Code Chapter 2.13, Relating to Campaign Contribution Limitations File ID: 2023-00182
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: 1) Review an Ordinance amending Sacramento City Code Chapter 2.13, relating to Campaign Contribution Limits; and 2) pass for publication the Ordinance title per Sacramento City Code section 32(c) for consideration on March 28, 2023.
Contact: Wendy Klock-Johnson, MMC, Assistant City Clerk, [email protected], (916) 808-7513; Monica Lindholm, Council/Clerk Operations Manager, (916) 808-3745, Office of the City Clerk.
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Ordinance (Redline)
3-Ordinance (Clean)
Additional Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The Sacramento City Code requires a biennial adjustment of the elected-official campaign contribution limits. The proposed ordinance adjusts the various financial limits contained in the campaign contribution limitations chapter of the Sacramento City Code to reflect changes in the
File ID: 2023-00182 3/21/2023 Consent Item 6.
Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Sacramento City Code chapter 2.13 sets campaign contribution limitations, including limits on individual and large political committee contributions. These limits include campaign contributions, aggregate off-year limits, and contributions to legal defense funds. As provided in the City Code, the City Clerk must bring forth amendments in every odd year updating these limits to reflect any increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) over the previous two years (2021 and 2022). Based on the activity of the CPI-U, 4.7% and 8.0% respectively, the amendments reflect the “2023 Proposed Limits” column of the table below.
Limit Type Office 2021 Approved
Limits
2023 Proposed
Limits
Contribution Limits
From: Person To: Councilmember $1,800 $2,050
From: Large Political Committee $6,000 $6,800
Contribution Limits
From: Person To: Mayor $3,600 $4,050
From: Large Political Committee $12,000 $13,550
Aggregate Off-Year Contributions Councilmember $30,050 $34,000 Aggregate Off-Year Contributions Mayor $60,050 $67,900
Legal Defense Fund Contributions Councilmember and Mayor $1,200 $1,350 City Code section 2.14.320.E provides that in any budget year in which funds for public funding of campaigns are not included in the Campaign Reform Fund budget, such limits shall not be adjusted.
Therefore, the limits for campaign spending and public matching funds are not being adjusted at this time.
Policy Considerations: Approving updates to the contribution limits is in alignment with procedures contained in the City Code. Alternatively, as is provided in City Code Section 2.13.120(B), the City Council may, in lieu of the cost-of-living adjustment, adjust the limits as deemed appropriate.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: None.
Sustainability: None.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
File ID: 2023-00182 3/21/2023 Consent Item 6.
Rationale for Recommendation: In compliance with City Code, update the various campaign contribution limits to reflect changes in the CPI.
Financial Considerations: Updating the contribution limits to reflect changes in the CPI provide campaign committees with the ability to raise funds for election expenses in correlation to the rising cost of consumer services.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Ordinance No.2006 Adopted on 1
1256999
ORDINANCE NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
Date Adopted
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 2.13 OF THE SACRAMENTO CITY
CODE, RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO:
SECTION 1.
A. Section 2.13.050 of the Sacramento City Code is amended as follows:
1. Subsection A is hereby amended to read as follows:
A. Councilmembers. Contributions to candidates for the office of city councilmember are subject to the following limita tions in addition to any limitations established by the Political Reform Act:
1. Contributions by Persons. No person shall make, and no candidate for the office of city councilmember, controlled committee of the candidate, or person acting by or on behalf of the candidate or the candidate’s controlled committee shall accept, any contribution that would cause the total amount contributed by that person to the candidate, or to the candidate’s controlled committee, to exceed $1,8002,050 in any of the following periods: a primary election period; a general election period; or a special election period. If the Political Reform Act establishes a lower limit for special elections, the lower limit applies.
2. Contributions by Large Political Committees. No large political committee shall make, and no candidate for the office of city council member, controlled committee of the candidate, or person acting by or on behalf of the candidate or the candidate’s controlled committee shall accept, any contribution that would cause the total amount contributed by that large political committee to the candidate, or to the candidate’s controlled committee, to exceed $6,0006,800 in any of the following periods: a primary election period; a general election period; or a special election period. If the Political Reform Act establishes a lower limit for special elections, the lower limit applies.
2. Subsection B is hereby amended to read as follows:
B. Mayor. Contributions to candidates for the office of mayor shall be subject to the following limitations in addition to any limitations established by the Political Reform Act:
Ordinance No.2006 Adopted on 2
1256999
1. Contributions by Persons. No person shall make, and no candidate for the office of mayor, controlled committee of the candidate, or person acting by or on behalf of the candidate or the candidate’s controlled committee, shall accept into the candidate’s campaign contribution account, any contribution that would cause the total amount contributed by that person to the candidate, or to the candidate’s controlle d committee to exceed $3,600 4,050 in any of the following periods: a primary election period; a general election period; or a special election period. If the Political Reform Act establishes a lower limit for special elections, the lower limit applies.
2. Contributions by Large Political Committees. No large political committee shall make, and no candidate for the office of mayor, controlled committee of the candidate, or person acting by or on behalf of the candidate or the candidate’s controlled committee shall accept, any contribution which would cause the total amount contributed by that large political committee to the candidate, or to the candidate’s controlled committee, to exceed $12,000 13,550 in any of the following periods: a primary election period; a general election period; or a special election period. If the Political Reform Act establishes a lower limit for special elections, the lower limit applies.
B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 2.13.050 remain unchanged and in full effect.
SECTION 2.
Section 2.13.065 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
A. Candidate for City Council Position. A candidate or controlled committee of a candidate for a city council position other than mayor shall provide the following written notice:
NOTICE
Chapter 2.13 of the Sacramento City Code limits the amounts that a contributor may give to a candidate for a City Council position for a primary, general or special election.
Generally, a contributor other than a large political committee may not give more than $1,8002,050 to a candidate for a City Council position for a primary, general or special election, while a large political committee may not give more than $6,000 6,800 to a candidate for City Council for a primary, general or special election. Chapter 2.13 contains certain other rules that may affect the amounts that an individual contributor may give. Please read Chapter 2.13 before making a contribution to my campaign.
B. Candidate for Mayoral Position . A candidate or controlled committee of a candidate for mayor shall provide the following written notice:
Ordinance No.2006 Adopted on 3
1256999
NOTICE
Chapter 2.13 of the Sacramento City Code limits the amounts that a contributor may give to a candidate for Mayor for a primary, general or special election. Generally, a contributor other than a large committee may not give more than $3,600 4,050 to a candidate for Mayor for a primary, general or special election, while a large political committee may not give more than $12,000 13,550 to a candidate for Mayor for a primary, general or special election. Chapter 2.13 contains certain other rules that may affect the amounts that an individual contributor may give. Please read Chapter 2.13 before making a contribution to my campaign.
SECTION 3.
A. Subsection A.1 of section 2.13.080 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
1. Except as provided in subsection (A)(2) of this section, the following aggregate off- election year contribution limits apply:
a. No councilmember or candidate for the city office of councilmember shall accept contributions totaling more than $30,05034,000 in any single off-election year.
b. No mayor or candidate for the city office of mayor shall accept contributions totaling more than $60,05067,900 in any single off-election year.
B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 2.13.080 remain unchanged and in full effect.
SECTION 4.
A. Subsection E of section 2.13.085 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
E. No person (other than the officer or candidate) shall make, and no legal expense fund committee for an elective city officer or candidate for elective city office shall solicit or accept, contributions from any person to a legal defense fund totaling more than $1,2001,350.
B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 2.13.085 remain unchanged and in full effect
Ordinance No.2006 Adopted on 4
1256999
Adopted by the City of Sacramento City Council on by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent:
MAYOR
Attest:
City Clerk
Passed for Publication:
Published:
Effective:
Ordinance No.2006 Adopted on 1
1256999
ORDINANCE NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
Date Adopted
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 2.13 OF THE SACRAMENTO CITY
CODE, RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO:
SECTION 1.
A. Section 2.13.050 of the Sacramento City Code is amended as follows:
1. Subsection A is hereby amended to read as follows:
A. Councilmembers. Contributions to candidates for the office of city councilmember are subject to the following limita tions in addition to any limitations established by the Political Reform Act:
1. Contributions by Persons. No person shall make, and no candidate for the office of city councilmember, controlled committee of the candidate, or person acting by or on behalf of the candidate or the candidate’s controlled committee shall accept, any contribution that would cause the total amount contributed by that person to the candidate, or to the candidate’s controlled committee, to exceed $ 2,050 in any of the following peri ods: a primary election period; a general election period; or a special election period. If the Political Reform Act establishes a lower limit for special elections, the lower limit applies.
2. Contributions by Large Political Committees. No large politica l committee shall make, and no candidate for the office of city council member, controlled committee of the candidate, or person acting by or on behalf of the candidate or the candidate’s controlled committee shall accept, any contribution that would cause the total amount contributed by that large political committee to the candidate, or to the candidate’s controlled committee, to exceed $6,800 in any of the following periods: a primary election period; a general election period; or a special election peri od. If the Political Reform Act establishes a lower limit for special elections, the lower limit applies.
2. Subsection B is hereby amended to read as follows:
B. Mayor. Contributions to candidates for the office of mayor shall be subject to the following limitations in addition to any limitations established by the Political Reform Act:
Ordinance No.2006 Adopted on 2
1256999
1. Contributions by Persons. No person shall make, and no candidate for the office of mayor, controlled committee of the candidate, or person acting by or on behalf of the candidate or the candidate’s controlled committee, shall accept into the candidate’s campaign contribution account, any contribution that would cause the total amount contributed by that person to the candidate, or to the candidate’s controlled committe e to exceed $ 4,050 in any of the following periods: a primary election period; a general election period; or a special election period. If the Political Reform Act establishes a lower limit for special elections, the lower limit applies.
2. Contributions b y Large Political Committees. No large political committee shall make, and no candidate for the office of mayor, controlled committee of the candidate, or person acting by or on behalf of the candidate or the candidate’s controlled committee shall accept, any contribution which would cause the total amount contributed by that large political committee to the candidate, or to the candidate’s controlled committee, to exceed $ 13,550 in any of the following periods: a primary election period; a general election period; or a special election period. If the Political Reform Act establishes a lower limit for special elections, the lower limit applies.
B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 2.13.050 remain unchanged and in full effect.
SECTION 2.
Section 2.13.065 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
A. Candidate for City Council Position. A candidate or controlled committee of a candidate for a city council position other than mayor shall provide the following written notice:
NOTICE
Chapter 2.13 of the Sacramento City Code limits the amounts that a contributor may give to a candidate for a City Council position for a primary, general or special election.
Generally, a contributor other than a large poli tical committee may not give more than $2,050 to a candidate for a City Council position for a primary, general or special election, while a large political committee may not give more than $ 6,800 to a candidate for City Council for a primary, general or s pecial election. Chapter 2.13 contains certain other rules that may affect the amounts that an individual contributor may give. Please read Chapter 2.13 before making a contribution to my campaign.
B. Candidate for Mayoral Position. A candidate or control led committee of a candidate for mayor shall provide the following written notice:
Ordinance No.2006 Adopted on 3
1256999
NOTICE
Chapter 2.13 of the Sacramento City Code limits the amounts that a contributor may give to a candidate for Mayor for a primary, general or special election. Generally , a contributor other than a large committee may not give more than $ 4,050 to a candidate for Mayor for a primary, general or special election, while a large political committee may not give more than $ 13,550 to a candidate for Mayor for a primary, general or special election. Chapter 2.13 contains certain other rules that may affect the amounts that an individual contributor may give. Please read Chapter 2.13 before making a contribution to my campaign.
SECTION 3.
A. Subsection A.1 of section 2.13.080 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
1. Except as provided in subsection (A)(2) of this section, the following aggregate off- election year contribution limits apply:
a. No councilmember or candidate for the city office of councilmember shall accept contributions totaling more than $34,000 in any single off-election year. b. No mayor or candidate for the city office of mayor shall accept contributions totaling more than $67,900 in any single off-election year.
B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 2.13.080 remain unchanged and in full effect.
SECTION 4.
A. Subsection E of section 2.13.085 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
E. No person (other than the officer or candida te) shall make, and no legal expense fund committee for an elective city officer or candidate for elective city office shall solicit or accept, contributions from any person to a legal defense fund totaling more than $1,350.
B. Except as amended by subsect ion A above, all provisions of section 2.13.085 remain unchanged and in full effect
Ordinance No.2006 Adopted on 4
1256999
Adopted by the City of Sacramento City Council on by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent:
MAYOR
Attest:
City Clerk
Passed for Publication:
Published:
Effective: