Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign contributions.

The California Constitution requires the Legislature to pass a Budget Bill by June 15 of each year. The Political Reform Act of 1974 places restrictions on the collection of campaign contributions by candidates for public office through a variety of provisions. A person who violates these limitations on the collection of campaign contributions is guilty of a misdemeanor. This bill would amend the Political Reform Act of 1974 to prohibit a Member of the Legislature, if the Legislature does not pass and send to the Governor by midnight on June 15 a Budget Bill for the following fiscal year, from receiving campaign contributions from June 16 until the date on which the Budget Bill is passed and sent to the Governor. Because this bill would create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. 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 and compliance with specified procedural requirements. This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act. 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.