SB 644: Political Reform Act of 1974: contribution limits.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

The Political Reform Act of 1974 prohibits a person, other than a small contributor committee or political party committee, from making to a candidate for elective state, county, or city office, and prohibits those candidates from accepting, a contribution totaling more than $3,000 per election, as that amount is adjusted by the Fair Political Practices Commission in January of every odd-numbered year to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The amount of that contribution limit for an election occurring from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, inclusive, is $5,900.

This bill would apply that contribution limit and certain related provisions to candidates for judicial, school district, and community college district office. The bill would authorize the Judicial Council, school districts, and community college districts to impose more restrictive contribution limits on candidates for judicial, school district, and community college district office, respectively. The bill’s provisions would become operative on January 1, 2027.

Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the Political Reform Act of 1974 is guilty of a misdemeanor. By adding new contribution limits to the act, the bill would expand the scope of an existing crime and thereby impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act’s purposes upon a 23 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 2, 2026Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2. May 23, 2025May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
3. May 16, 2025Set for hearing May 23.
4. May 12, 2025May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
5. May 6, 2025Set for hearing May 12.
6. May 1, 2025Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7. April 30, 2025From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 1. Page 962.) (April 30).
8. April 29, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on ED. (Ayes 4. Noes 1. Page 934.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on ED.
9. April 9, 2025Set for hearing April 30 in ED. pending receipt.
10. April 4, 2025Set for hearing April 29.
11. April 2, 2025Re-referred to Coms. on E. & C.A. and ED.
12. March 25, 2025From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.