California's Campaign Finance Agency–the Fair Political Practices Commission–Announces 2017/2018 Gift & Contribution Limits

The California Fair Political Practices Commission, charged with implementing the state’s campaign finance law, recently announced new gift and contribution limits for the 2017 – 2018 cycle. The agency is required to adjust these limits biennially according to the Consumer Price Index.

The gift limit was raised to $470 from $460 per calendar year. The $470 limit is an aggregate limit from any one source.

The new contribution limits for state offices, PACs, and political party committees* are as follows:

Office or Committee	2017/2018 Limit
State Assembly and Senate	$4,400
Statewide, other than governor	$7,300
Governor	$29,200
PACs that contribute to state candidates	$7,300
Political Party Committees for candidates	$36,500

Candidates will no doubt be requesting contributions in higher amounts.  The increased contribution limits are also significant because a donor must report to the FPPC as a Major Donor once the aggregate of their contributions reaches $10,000 or more in a calendar year.  Nossaman assists donors and contributors in complying with these and other related rules.

If you have any questions about the gift and contribution limits, please contact Amber Maltbie at amaltbie@nossaman.com, or Fred Dombo at fdombo@nossaman.com.

*Candidates for local offices are not subject to state contribution limits, and many local jurisdictions adopt their own campaign finance ordinances with more strict limits. Similarly, many local jurisdictions and state and local agencies adopt more stringent gift limitations that supersede the state gift limit.