City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2025-00837 4/22/2025 Item 6.
[Pass for Publication] An Ordinance Amending Various Sections of Sacramento City Code Chapter 2.13, Relating to Campaign Contribution Limitations File ID: 2025-00837
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: 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 April 29, 2025.
Contact: Haley Arata, Administrative Analyst, (916) 808-5204, [email protected]; Wendy Klock-Johnson, Assistant City Clerk, (916) 808-7509, [email protected]; Mindy Cuppy, City Clerk, (916) 808-5442, [email protected]; Office of the City Clerk Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Ordinance (Redline)
3-Ordinance (Clean)
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 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
Sacramento City Code Chapter 2.13 sets campaign contribution limitations, including limits on individual and large political committee contributions. The 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 changes in the CPI-U over the previous two years (2023 and 2024). Based on the activity of the CPI- U in 2023 and 2024, 4.1% and 3.2% respectively, the adjustments reflect the “2025 Proposed Limits” column of the table below.
Limit Type Office 2023 Approved
Limits
2025 Proposed
Limits
Contribution Limits From: Person
From: Large Political Committee
Councilmember $2,050 $6,800 $2,200 $7,300
Contribution Limits From: Person
From: Large Political Committee
Mayor $4,050 $13,550 $4,350 $14,550
Aggregate Off-Year Contributions Councilmember $34,000 $36,550 Aggregate Off-Year Contributions Mayor $67,900 $72,950
Legal Expense Fund Contributions Councilmember and
Mayor
$1,350 $1,450
File ID: 2025-00837 4/22/2025 Item 6.
Limit Type Office 2023 Approved
Limits
2025 Proposed
Limits
Contribution Limits From: Person
From: Large Political Committee
Councilmember $2,050 $6,800 $2,200 $7,300
Contribution Limits From: Person
From: Large Political Committee
Mayor $4,050 $13,550 $4,350 $14,550
Aggregate Off-Year Contributions Councilmember $34,000 $36,550 Aggregate Off-Year Contributions Mayor $67,900 $72,950
Legal Expense Fund Contributions Councilmember and
Mayor
$1,350 $1,450
City Code section 2.14.320(E) dictates 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 on campaign spending and public matching funds are not being adjusted at this time.
Policy Considerations: The approval of updates to the contribution limits aligns with procedures in the City Code. Alternatively, as provided in City Code section 2.13.120(B), the City Council may, in addition to or in lieu of the cost-of-living adjustments, adjust the limits as deemed appropriate.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: None.
Sustainability: None.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: The approval of updates to the contribution limits to correlate with changes in the CPI-U follows the City Code.
Financial Considerations: The approval of updates to the contribution limits to reflect changes in the CPI-U allows campaign committees to raise funds for election expenses in correlation with the rising cost of consumer services.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Ordinance No. Adopted On 1
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 limitations 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 $2,0502,200 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 $6,8007,300 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.
Ordinance No. Adopted On 2
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:
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 committee to exceed $ 4,0504,350 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 $13,55014,550 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.
A. 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 Ordinance No. Adopted On 3
$2,0502,200 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 $ 6,8007,300 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:
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 $4,0504,350 to a candidate for Mayor for a primary, general or special election, while a large political committee may not give more than $13,55014,550 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 $ 34,00036,550 in any single off - election year.
b. No mayor or candidate for the city office of mayor shall accept contributions totaling more than $67,90072,950 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:
Ordinance No. Adopted On 4
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 $1,3501,450.
B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 2.13.085 remain unchanged and in full effect.
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. Adopted On 1
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 limitations 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 $2,200 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 $7,300 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.
Ordinance No. Adopted On 2
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:
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 committee to exceed $ 4,350 in any of the following periods: a primary election period; a general election period; or a special electio n 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 commi ttee 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 $ 14,550 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.
A. 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 Ordinance No. Adopted On 3
$2,200 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 $ 7,300 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:
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 $4,350 to a candidate for Mayor for a primary, general or special election, while a large political committee may not give more than $14,550 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 $ 36,550 in any single off -election year.
b. No mayor or candidate for the city office of mayor shall accept contributions totaling more than $72,950 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:
Ordinance No. Adopted On 4
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 $1,450.
B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of Section 2.13.085 remain unchanged and in full effect.
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: