Bill Text: CA AB2523 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Local elective offices: contribution limitations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-11-30 - Died on Senate inactive file. [AB2523 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB2523-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 2523	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 1, 2016
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 14, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 31, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 19, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 6, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 17, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Mullin
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Gonzalez)

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2016

   An act to amend and repeal Sections 35177 and 72029 of the
Education Code, to amend and repeal Sections 10003, 10202, and 10544
of the Elections Code, and to amend Section 85301 of, to amend,
repeal, and add Sections 85305, 85306, 85307, 85315, 85316, 85317,
and 85318 of, and  to add  Sections 82039.8, 85301.5,
and   Section  85702.5  to  
to,  the Government Code, relating to elections.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2523, as amended, Mullin. Local elective offices: contribution
limitations.
   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 office, for statewide elective
office, or for office of the Governor, and prohibits those candidates
from accepting from a person, a contribution totaling more than a
specified amount per election. For a candidate for elective state
office other than a candidate for statewide elective office, the
limitation on contributions is $3,000 per election, as that amount is
adjusted by the Fair Political Practices Commission in January of
every odd-numbered year.
   Existing law authorizes a county, city, or district to limit
campaign contributions in local elections. Existing law authorizes
the governing board of a school district or of a community college
district to limit campaign expenditures or contributions in elections
to district offices. The act specifies that it does not prevent the
Legislature or any other state or local agency from imposing
additional requirements on a person if the requirements do not
prevent the person from complying with the act, and that the act does
not nullify contribution limitations or prohibitions by any local
jurisdiction that apply to elections for local elective office, as
specified.
   This bill, commencing January 1, 2018, instead would prohibit a
person from making to a candidate for local elective office, and
would prohibit a candidate for local elective office from accepting
from a person, a contribution totaling more than the amount set forth
for limitations on contributions to a candidate for elective state
office. This bill would authorize a county, city, special district,
or school district to impose a limitation that is different from the
limitation imposed by this bill. This bill would repeal the
authorization for the governing board of a school district or of a
community college district to limit campaign expenditures in
elections to district offices.  This bill would make specified
provisions of the act relating to contribution limitations applicable
to a candidate for a local elective office, except as specified.

   The act makes a violation of its provisions punishable as a
misdemeanor and subject to specified penalties.
   This bill would add the contribution limitation imposed by the
bill to the act's provisions, thereby making a violation of the
limitation punishable as a misdemeanor and subject to specified
penalties. However, the bill would specify that a violation of a
limitation imposed by a local government is not subject to the act's
enforcement provisions. The bill would authorize a local government
that imposes a limitation that is different from the limitation
imposed by this bill to adopt enforcement standards for a violation
of the limitation imposed by the local government agency, including
administrative, civil, or criminal penalties. By expanding the scope
of an existing crime with regard to a violation of a contribution
limitation imposed by the bill, the bill would 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 2/3 vote of each house and compliance with specified
procedural requirements.
   This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.

   Vote: 2/3. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Most states impose limitations on contributions to candidates
for local elective offices. California is among the minority of
states without these contribution limitations.
   (b) Most local governments in this state have not independently
imposed limitations on contributions to candidates for local elective
offices.
   (c) In local jurisdictions in this state that have not imposed
limitations on contributions, candidates for local elective offices
often receive contributions that would exceed the limitations for a
state Senate campaign, even though most local jurisdictions contain
far fewer people than the average state Senate district.
   (d) In local jurisdictions in this state that have not imposed
limitations on contributions, candidates for local elective office
sometimes raise 40 percent or more of their total campaign funds from
a single contributor.
   (e) A system allowing unlimited contributions to a candidate for
local elective office creates the risk and the perception that local
elected officials are beholden to their contributors and will act in
the best interest of those contributors at the expense of the people.

   (f) This state has a statewide interest in preventing actual
corruption and the appearance of corruption at all levels of state
government.
   (g) This act establishes a limitation on contributions to a
candidate for local elective office in a jurisdiction in which the
local government has not established a limitation. However, a local
government may establish a different limitation that is more
precisely tailored to the needs of its communities.
  SEC. 2.  Section 35177 of the Education Code is amended to read:
   35177.  (a) The governing board of a district may by resolution
limit campaign expenditures or contributions in elections to district
offices.
   (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date.
  SEC. 3.  Section 72029 of the Education Code is amended to read:
   72029.  (a) The governing board of a community college district
may by resolution limit campaign expenditures or contributions in
elections to district offices.
   (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date.
  SEC. 4.  Section 10003 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   10003.  (a) A county may by ordinance or resolution limit campaign
contributions in county elections.
   (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date.
  SEC. 5.  Section 10202 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   10202.  (a) A city may, by ordinance or resolution, limit campaign
contributions in municipal elections.
   (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date.
  SEC. 6.  Section 10544 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   10544.  (a) A governing body of a district may, by resolution,
limit campaign contributions in elections to district offices.
   (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date. 
  SEC. 7.    Section 82039.8 is added to the
Government Code, to read:
   82039.8.  "Local elective office" means a local government agency
office that is filled at an election.  
  SEC. 8.    Section 85301.5 is added to the
Government Code, to read:
   85301.5.  (a) A person shall not make to a candidate for local
elective office, and a candidate for local elective office shall not
accept from a person, a contribution totaling more than the amount
set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 85301, as that amount is
adjusted by the Fair Political Practices Commission pursuant to
Section 83124.
   (b) A contribution shall not be deemed received for purposes of
this section if it is returned to the contributor within 14 days of
receipt.
   (c) This section does not apply to a candidate's contributions of
his or her personal funds to his or her own campaign.
   (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2018.

   SEC. 7.    Section 85301 of the   Government
Code   is amended to read: 
   85301.  (a) A person, other than a small contributor committee or
political party committee, may not make to  any 
 a  candidate for elective state office other than a
candidate for statewide elective office, and a candidate for elective
state office other than a candidate for statewide elective office
may not accept from a person,  any   a 
contribution totaling more than three thousand dollars ($3,000) per
election.
   (b) Except to a candidate for Governor, a person, other than a
small contributor committee or political party committee, may not
make to  any   a  candidate for statewide
elective office, and except a candidate for Governor, a candidate for
statewide elective office may not accept from a person other than a
small contributor committee or a political party committee, 
any   a  contribution totaling more than five
thousand dollars ($5,000) per election.
   (c) A person, other than a small contributor committee or
political party committee, may not make to  any 
 a  candidate for Governor, and a candidate for governor may
not accept from any person other than a small contributor committee
or political party committee,  any   a 
contribution totaling more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) per
election. 
   (d) (1) A person may not make to a candidate for local elective
office, and a candidate for local elective office may not accept from
a person, a contribution totaling more than the amount set forth in
subdivision (a) per election. This subdivision shall not apply in a
jurisdiction in which the local government imposes a limit on
contributions pursuant to Section 85702.5.  
   (2) This subdivision shall not become operative until January 1,
2018.  
   (d) 
    (e)  The provisions of this section do not apply to a
candidate's contributions of his or her personal funds to his or her
own campaign.
   SEC. 8.    Section 85305 of the   Government
Code   is amended to read: 
   85305.   (a)    A candidate for elective state
office or committee controlled by that candidate may not make
 any   a  contribution to any other
candidate for elective state office in excess of the limits set forth
in subdivision (a) of Section 85301. 
   (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date. 
   SEC. 9.    Section 85305 is added to the  
Government Code   , to read:  
   85305.  (a) A candidate for elective office or committee
controlled by that candidate may not make a contribution to any other
candidate for elective office in excess of the limits set forth in
subdivision (a) of Section 85301. This section shall not apply in a
jurisdiction in which the local government imposes a limit on
contributions pursuant to Section 85702.5.
   (b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2018. 
   SEC. 10.    Section 85306 of the  
Government Code   is amended to read: 
   85306.  (a) A candidate may transfer campaign funds from one
controlled committee to a controlled committee for elective state
office of the same candidate. Contributions transferred shall be
attributed to specific contributors using a "last in, first out" or
"first in, first out" accounting method, and these attributed
contributions when aggregated with all other contributions from the
same contributor may not exceed the limits set forth in Section 85301
or 85302.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a candidate for elective
state office, other than a candidate for statewide elective office,
who possesses campaign funds on January 1, 2001, may use those funds
to seek elective office without attributing the funds to specific
contributors.
   (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a candidate for statewide
elective office who possesses campaign funds on November 6, 2002, may
use those funds to seek elective office without attributing the
funds to specific contributors. 
   (d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date. 
   SEC. 11.    Section 85306 is added to the  
Government Code   , to read:  
   85306.  (a) A candidate may transfer campaign funds from one
controlled committee to a controlled committee for elective office of
the same candidate. Contributions transferred shall be attributed to
specific contributors using a "last in, first out" or "first in,
first out" accounting method, and these attributed contributions when
aggregated with all other contributions from the same contributor
may not exceed the limits set forth in Section 85301 or 85302.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a candidate for elective
state office, other than a candidate for statewide elective office,
who possesses campaign funds on January 1, 2001, may use those funds
to seek elective office without attributing the funds to specific
contributors.
   (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a candidate for statewide
elective office who possesses campaign funds on November 6, 2002, may
use those funds to seek elective office without attributing the
funds to specific contributors.
   (d) This section shall not apply in a jurisdiction in which the
local government imposes a limit on contributions pursuant to Section
85702.5.
   (e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2018. 
   SEC. 12.    Section 85307 of the  
Government Code   is amended to read: 
   85307.  (a) The provisions of this article regarding loans apply
to extensions of credit, but do not apply to loans made to a
candidate by a commercial lending institution in the lender's regular
course of business on terms available to members of the general
public for which the candidate is personally liable.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a candidate for elective
state office may not personally loan to his or her campaign,
including the proceeds of a loan obtained by the candidate from a
commercial lending institution, an amount, the outstanding balance of
which exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). A candidate
may not charge interest on any loan he or she made to his or her
campaign. 
   (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date. 
   SEC. 13.    Section 85307 is added to the  
Government Code   , to read:  
   85307.  (a) The provisions of this article regarding loans apply
to extensions of credit, but do not apply to loans made to a
candidate by a commercial lending institution in the lender's regular
course of business on terms available to members of the general
public for which the candidate is personally liable.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a candidate for elective
office may not personally loan to his or her campaign, including the
proceeds of a loan obtained by the candidate from a commercial
lending institution, an amount, the outstanding balance of which
exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). A candidate may not
charge interest on any loan he or she made to his or her campaign.
This subdivision shall not apply to a jurisdiction in which the local
government imposes a limit on contributions pursuant to Section
85702.5.
   (c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2018. 
   SEC. 14.    Section 85315 of the  
Government Code   is amended to read: 
   85315.  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,
an elected state officer may establish a committee to oppose the
qualification of a recall measure, and the recall election. This
committee may be established when the elected state officer receives
a notice of intent to recall pursuant to Section 11021 of the
Elections Code. An elected state officer may accept campaign
contributions to oppose the qualification of a recall measure, and if
qualification is successful, the recall election, without regard to
the campaign contributions limits set forth in this chapter. The
voluntary expenditure limits do not apply to expenditures made to
oppose the qualification of a recall measure or to oppose the recall
election.
   (b) After the failure of a recall petition or after the recall
election, the committee formed by the elected state officer shall
wind down its activities and dissolve. Any remaining funds shall be
treated as surplus funds and shall be expended within 30 days after
the failure of the recall petition or after the recall election for a
purpose specified in subdivision (b) of Section 89519. 
   (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date. 
   SEC. 15.    Section 85315 is added to the  
Government Code   , to read:  
   85315.  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,
an elected officer may establish a committee to oppose the
qualification of a recall measure, and the recall election. This
committee may be established when the elected officer receives a
notice of intent to recall pursuant to Section 11021 of the Elections
Code. An elected officer may accept campaign contributions to oppose
the qualification of a recall measure, and if qualification is
successful, the recall election, without regard to the campaign
contributions limits set forth in this chapter. The voluntary
expenditure limits do not apply to expenditures made to oppose the
qualification of a recall measure or to oppose the recall election.
   (b) After the failure of a recall petition or after the recall
election, the committee formed by the elected officer shall wind down
its activities and dissolve. Any remaining funds shall be treated as
surplus funds and shall be expended within 30 days after the failure
of the recall petition or after the recall election for a purpose
specified in subdivision (b) of Section 89519.
   (c) This section shall not apply in a jurisdiction in which the
local government imposes a limit on contributions pursuant to Section
85702.5.
   (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2018. 
   SEC. 16.    Section 85316 of the  
Government Code   is amended to read: 
   85316.  (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a contribution
for an election may be accepted by a candidate for elective state
office after the date of the election only to the extent that the
contribution does not exceed net debts outstanding from the election,
and the contribution does not otherwise exceed the applicable
contribution limit for that election.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an elected state officer may
accept contributions after the date of the election for the purpose
of paying expenses associated with holding the office provided that
the contributions are not expended for any contribution to any state
or local committee. Contributions received pursuant to this
subdivision shall be deposited into a bank account established solely
for the purposes specified in this subdivision.
   (1) No person shall make, and no elected state officer shall
receive from a person, a contribution pursuant to this subdivision
totaling more than the following amounts per calendar year:
   (A) Three thousand dollars ($3,000) in the case of an elected
state officer of the Assembly or Senate.
   (B) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) in the case of a statewide
elected state officer other than the Governor.
   (C) Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) in the case of the Governor.

   (2) No elected state officer shall receive contributions pursuant
to paragraph (1) that, in the aggregate, total more than the
following amounts per calendar year:
   (A) Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in the case of an elected
state officer of the Assembly or Senate.
   (B) One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in the case of a
statewide elected state officer other than the Governor.
   (C) Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in the case of the
Governor.
   (3) Any contribution received pursuant to this subdivision shall
be deemed to be a contribution to that candidate for election to any
state office that he or she may seek during the term of office to
which he or she is currently elected, including, but not limited to,
reelection to the office he or she currently holds, and shall be
subject to any applicable contribution limit provided in this title.
If a contribution received pursuant to this subdivision exceeds the
allowable contribution limit for the office sought, the candidate
shall return the amount exceeding the limit to the contributor on a
basis to be determined by the Commission. None of the expenditures
made by elected state officers pursuant to this subdivision shall be
subject to the voluntary expenditure limitations in Section 85400.
   (4) The commission shall adjust the calendar year contribution
limitations and aggregate contribution limitations set forth in this
subdivision in January of every odd-numbered year to reflect any
increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index. Those adjustments
shall be rounded to the nearest one hundred dollars ($100). 
   (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date. 
   SEC. 17.    Section 85316 is added to the  
Government Code   , to read:  
   85316.  (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a contribution
for an election may be accepted by a candidate for elective office
after the date of the election only to the extent that the
contribution does not exceed net debts outstanding from the election,
and the contribution does not otherwise exceed the applicable
contribution limit for that election.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an elected state officer may
accept contributions after the date of the election for the purpose
of paying expenses associated with holding the office provided that
the contributions are not expended for any contribution to any state
or local committee. Contributions received pursuant to this
subdivision shall be deposited into a bank account established solely
for the purposes specified in this subdivision.
   (1) No person shall make, and no elected state officer shall
receive from a person, a contribution pursuant to this subdivision
totaling more than the following amounts per calendar year:
   (A) Three thousand dollars ($3,000) in the case of an elected
state officer of the Assembly or Senate.
   (B) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) in the case of a statewide
elected state officer other than the Governor.
   (C) Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) in the case of the Governor.

   (2) No elected state officer shall receive contributions pursuant
to paragraph (1) that, in the aggregate, total more than the
following amounts per calendar year:
   (A) Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in the case of an elected
state officer of the Assembly or Senate.
   (B) One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in the case of a
statewide elected state officer other than the Governor.
   (C) Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in the case of the
Governor.
   (3) Any contribution received pursuant to this subdivision shall
be deemed to be a contribution to that candidate for election to any
state office that he or she may seek during the term of office to
which he or she is currently elected, including, but not limited to,
reelection to the office he or she currently holds, and shall be
subject to any applicable contribution limit provided in this title.
If a contribution received pursuant to this subdivision exceeds the
allowable contribution limit for the office sought, the candidate
shall return the amount exceeding the limit to the contributor on a
basis to be determined by the Commission. None of the expenditures
made by elected state officers pursuant to this subdivision shall be
subject to the voluntary expenditure limitations in Section 85400.
   (4) The commission shall adjust the calendar year contribution
limitations and aggregate contribution limitations set forth in this
subdivision in January of every odd-numbered year to reflect any
increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index. Those adjustments
shall be rounded to the nearest one hundred dollars ($100).
   (c) This section shall not apply in a jurisdiction in which the
local government imposes a limit on contributions pursuant to Section
85702.5.
   (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2018. 
   SEC. 18.    Section 85317 of the  
Government Code   is amended to read: 
   85317.   (a)    Notwithstanding subdivision (a)
of Section 85306, a candidate for elective state office may carry
over contributions raised in connection with one election for
elective state office to pay campaign expenditures incurred in
connection with a subsequent election for the same elective state
office. 
   (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date. 
   SEC. 19.    Section 85317 is added to the  
Government Code   , to read:  
   85317.  (a) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 85306, a
candidate for elective office may carry over contributions raised in
connection with one election for elective office to pay campaign
expenditures incurred in connection with a subsequent election for
the same elective office. This section shall not apply in a
jurisdiction in which the local government imposes a limit on
contributions pursuant to Section 85702.5.
   (b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2018. 
   SEC. 20.   Section 85318 of the   Government
Code   is amended to read: 
   85318.   (a)    A candidate for elective state
office may raise contributions for a general election prior to the
primary election, and for a special general election prior to a
special primary election, for the same elective state office if the
candidate sets aside these contributions and uses these contributions
for the general election or special general election. If the
candidate for elective state office is defeated in the primary
election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the
general election or special general election, the general election
or special general election funds shall be refunded to the
contributors on a pro rata basis less any expenses associated with
the raising and administration of general election or special general
election contributions. Notwithstanding Section 85201, candidates
for elective state office may establish separate campaign
contribution accounts for the primary and general elections or
special primary and special general elections. 
   (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends
that date. 
   SEC. 21.    Section 85318 is added to the  
Government Code   , to read:  
   85318.  (a) A candidate for elective office may raise
contributions for a general election prior to the primary election,
and for a special general election prior to a special primary
election, for the same elective office if the candidate sets aside
these contributions and uses these contributions for the general
election or special general election. If the candidate for elective
office is defeated in the primary election or special primary
election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special
general election, the general election or special general election
funds shall be refunded to the contributors on a pro rata basis less
any expenses associated with the raising and administration of
general election or special general election contributions.
Notwithstanding Section 85201, candidates for elective office may
establish separate campaign contribution accounts for the primary and
general elections or special primary and special general elections.
                   (b) This section shall not apply in a jurisdiction
in which the local government imposes a limit on contributions
pursuant to Section 85702.5.
   (c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2018. 
   SEC. 9.   SEC. 22.   Section 85702.5 is
added to the Government Code, to read:
   85702.5.  (a)  Except as provided in subdivision (b) of
this section and subdivision (a) of Section 85703, a   A
 local government agency may, by ordinance or resolution,
impose a  limitation   limit  on
contributions to a candidate for local elective  office.
  office   that is different from the limit set
forth in subdivision (d) of Section 85301.  The limitation may
also be imposed by means of a local initiative measure. 
   (b) A local government agency shall not impose additional
requirements on a person pursuant to subdivision (a) if the
requirements prevent the person from complying with this act.
 
   (c) 
    (b)  A local government agency that establishes a
contribution  limitation   limit  pursuant
to subdivision (a) may adopt enforcement standards for a violation of
that  limitation,   limit,  which may
include administrative, civil, or criminal penalties. 
   (d) Section 85301.5 and Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 91000)
do not apply in a jurisdiction in which the local government imposes
a contribution limitation pursuant to subdivision (a). 

   (c) The commission shall not be responsible for the administration
or enforcement of a contribution limit adopted pursuant to
subdivision (a).  
   (e) 
    (d)  This section shall become operative on January 1,
2018.  A local government agency's limit on contributions to a
candidate for local elective office that is in effect on the
operative date of this section shall be deemed to be a limit imposed
pursuant to subdivision (a).  
  SEC. 10.    A local government limitation on
contributions to a candidate for local elective office that is in
effect on the effective date of this act shall be deemed to be a
limitation imposed pursuant to Section 85702.5 of the Government
Code.  
  SEC. 11.    This act shall be liberally construed
to accomplish its purposes.  
  SEC. 12.    The provisions of this act are
severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held
invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision
or application. 
   SEC. 13.   SEC. 23.   No reimbursement
is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of
the California Constitution because the only costs that may be
incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred
because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a
crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or
infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government
Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.
   SEC. 14.   SEC. 24.   The Legislature
finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the
Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of
Section 81012 of the Government Code.