HF 165 (LSB 1497YH (1) 88)

HOUSE FILE 165

BY  McKEAN

A BILL FOR

An Act limiting campaign contributions to certain candidates and making civil and criminal penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  68A.507  Contribution limits for candidates.
   1.  The term “election campaign cycle” means the time period between elections for a particular office. For purposes of this section, each primary, general, and special election is a separate election campaign cycle. Separate contribution limits for each type of election for a particular office, including primary, general, and special elections, apply in an election campaign cycle. However, if a candidate for office does not run in a contested primary election, the contribution limit for the general election shall apply for the time period covering both the primary and general elections. 
   2.  Except for a political party as defined in section 43.2, a person shall not make, and a candidate or candidate’s committee or anyone acting on behalf of a candidate or candidate’s committee shall not accept, any contribution which will cause the total amount of such person’s contributions to such a candidate or candidate’s committee for one of the following offices to exceed the following amounts in an election campaign cycle:
   a.  For a statewide elected official as defined in section 68B.2, one thousand five hundred dollars.
   b.  For a state senator or state representative, one thousand dollars.
   3.  A political party as defined in section 43.2 shall not make, and a candidate or candidate’s committee or anyone acting on behalf of any candidate or candidate’s committee shall not accept, any contribution which will cause the total amount of contributions from a political party to a candidate or candidate’s committee for one of the following offices to exceed the following amounts in an election campaign cycle:
   a.  For governor, seventy-five thousand dollars.
   b.  For a statewide elected official as defined in section 68B.2 other than the governor, twenty-five thousand dollars.
   c.  For state senator, ten thousand dollars.
   d.  For state representative, five thousand dollars.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill establishes limits for contributions to candidates for certain political offices in Iowa by persons, defined by the Code to include both natural and legal persons, and political parties. The specified limitations are for each election cycle, with each primary, general, and special election being a separate cycle. The bill limits contributions from persons other than political parties to a total of $1,500 for candidates for statewide elected office and $1,000 for state senators and representatives. The bill limits contributions from political parties to a total of $75,000 for gubernatorial candidates, $25,000 for candidates for statewide elected offices other than the governor, $10,000 for candidates for state senate, and $5,000 for candidates for state representative.
   A person who willfully violates a provision of the bill is guilty of a serious misdemeanor pursuant to Code section 68A.701. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $315 but not more than $1,875. A person who violates a provision of the bill is also subject to civil penalties pursuant to Code section 68B.32D.