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House File 2184 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1limiting campaign contributions to certain candidates
2and making civil and criminal penalties applicable.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 68A.507 Contribution limits for
2candidates.
31. The term “election campaign cycle” means the time period
4between elections for a particular office. For purposes of
5this section, each primary, general, and special election is a
6separate election campaign cycle. Separate contribution limits
7for each type of election for a particular office, including
8primary, general, and special elections, apply in an election
9campaign cycle. However, if a candidate for office does not
10run in a contested primary election, the contribution limit for
11the general election shall apply for the time period covering
12both the primary and general elections.
132. Except for a political party as defined in section
1443.2, a person shall not make, and a candidate or candidate’s
15committee or anyone acting on behalf of a candidate or
16candidate’s committee shall not accept, any contribution which
17will cause the total amount of such person’s contributions
18to such a candidate or candidate’s committee for one of
19the following offices to exceed the following amounts in an
20election campaign cycle:
21a. For a statewide elected official as defined in section
2268B.2, one thousand five hundred dollars.
23b. For a state senator or state representative, one thousand
24dollars.
253. A political party as defined in section 43.2 shall
26not make, and a candidate or candidate’s committee or anyone
27acting on behalf of any candidate or candidate’s committee
28shall not accept, any contribution which will cause the total
29amount of contributions from a political party to a candidate
30or candidate’s committee for one of the following offices to
31exceed the following amounts in an election campaign cycle:
32a. For governor, seventy-five thousand dollars.
33b. For a statewide elected official as defined in section
3468B.2 other than the governor, twenty-five thousand dollars.
35c. For state senator, ten thousand dollars.
-1- 1d. For state representative, five thousand dollars.
2EXPLANATION
3The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
4the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
5This bill establishes limits for contributions to candidates
6for certain political offices in Iowa by persons, defined
7by the Code to include both natural and legal persons, and
8political parties. The specified limitations are for each
9election cycle, with each primary, general, and special
10election being a separate cycle. The bill limits contributions
11from persons other than political parties to a total of
12$1,500 for candidates for statewide elected office and $1,000
13for state senators and representatives. The bill limits
14contributions from political parties to a total of $75,000
15for gubernatorial candidates, $25,000 for candidates for
16statewide elected offices other than the governor, $10,000 for
17candidates for state senate, and $5,000 for candidates for
18state representative.
19A person who willfully violates a provision of the bill
20is guilty of a serious misdemeanor pursuant to Code section
2168A.701. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement
22for no more than one year and a fine of at least $315 but
23not more than $1,875. A person who violates a provision of
24the bill is also subject to civil penalties pursuant to Code
25section 68B.320.
-2-ss/jh
2and making civil and criminal penalties applicable.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 68A.507 Contribution limits for
2candidates.
31. The term “election campaign cycle” means the time period
4between elections for a particular office. For purposes of
5this section, each primary, general, and special election is a
6separate election campaign cycle. Separate contribution limits
7for each type of election for a particular office, including
8primary, general, and special elections, apply in an election
9campaign cycle. However, if a candidate for office does not
10run in a contested primary election, the contribution limit for
11the general election shall apply for the time period covering
12both the primary and general elections.
132. Except for a political party as defined in section
1443.2, a person shall not make, and a candidate or candidate’s
15committee or anyone acting on behalf of a candidate or
16candidate’s committee shall not accept, any contribution which
17will cause the total amount of such person’s contributions
18to such a candidate or candidate’s committee for one of
19the following offices to exceed the following amounts in an
20election campaign cycle:
21a. For a statewide elected official as defined in section
2268B.2, one thousand five hundred dollars.
23b. For a state senator or state representative, one thousand
24dollars.
253. A political party as defined in section 43.2 shall
26not make, and a candidate or candidate’s committee or anyone
27acting on behalf of any candidate or candidate’s committee
28shall not accept, any contribution which will cause the total
29amount of contributions from a political party to a candidate
30or candidate’s committee for one of the following offices to
31exceed the following amounts in an election campaign cycle:
32a. For governor, seventy-five thousand dollars.
33b. For a statewide elected official as defined in section
3468B.2 other than the governor, twenty-five thousand dollars.
35c. For state senator, ten thousand dollars.
-1- 1d. For state representative, five thousand dollars.
2EXPLANATION
3The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
4the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
5This bill establishes limits for contributions to candidates
6for certain political offices in Iowa by persons, defined
7by the Code to include both natural and legal persons, and
8political parties. The specified limitations are for each
9election cycle, with each primary, general, and special
10election being a separate cycle. The bill limits contributions
11from persons other than political parties to a total of
12$1,500 for candidates for statewide elected office and $1,000
13for state senators and representatives. The bill limits
14contributions from political parties to a total of $75,000
15for gubernatorial candidates, $25,000 for candidates for
16statewide elected offices other than the governor, $10,000 for
17candidates for state senate, and $5,000 for candidates for
18state representative.
19A person who willfully violates a provision of the bill
20is guilty of a serious misdemeanor pursuant to Code section
2168A.701. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement
22for no more than one year and a fine of at least $315 but
23not more than $1,875. A person who violates a provision of
24the bill is also subject to civil penalties pursuant to Code
25section 68B.320.
-2-ss/jh