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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon lawmakers on Thursday decided to limit the amount people and political parties can donate to candidates following recent elections in which wealthy donors poured millions of dollars into key state races. gave final passage to a campaign finance reform bill that limits
Oregon is currently one of about a dozen states with no limits on campaign contributions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Starting in 2027, the bill would only allow individuals and businesses to donate up to $3,300 to statewide candidates each election cycle, but political party committees would be able to contribute up to $30,000. So-called “member organizations,” such as labor unions and nonprofit advocacy groups, can contribute a total of $26,400 to candidates across the state per cycle.
The limits are even lower for non-statewide candidates running for state legislature, district attorney, and circuit court judge elections. Political parties and “membership organizations” can donate up to $15,000 and $13,200, respectively, to such candidates. Her $3,300 limit for individuals and corporations remains the same.
Additionally, to promote transparency, the bill would require the Secretary of State to list the 100 largest donors to candidates and campaign committees starting in 2028 and determine how much money industry groups give to candidates. It instructs them to create an online dashboard that shows how much they’re donating.
The bill, approved days before the end of this year’s short 35-day legislative session, passed the state Senate 22-6 on Thursday and the state House 52-5 on Wednesday. It was introduced by Democratic House Majority Leader Julie Fahey and received bipartisan support.
It will now be directed to Gov. Tina Kotek, who supports the bill, her office said in an email Thursday after the bill’s final passage.
The measure was the result of negotiations between lawmakers and campaign finance reform groups after political donations soared in recent election cycles.
In the 2022 gubernatorial race, Phil Knight, the billionaire co-founder of Oregon-based Nike, has given more than $3.7 million to independent candidate Betsey Johnson and more than $1.5 million to Republican candidate Christine Drazan. Donated. In the end, Kotek, a Democrat, was elected governor.
“We don’t want to live in a world where Phil Knight and other big spenders have unlimited access to money,” Jason Kafoury of Honest Oregon said while testifying in support of the bill. “Phil Knight will have to contribute $3,300 like everyone else.”
Kafoury has long advocated for campaign finance reform and has hailed the bill’s passage as an “amazing accomplishment.” He said Honest Elections Oregon and another group that had pushed for the issue to be on the November ballot would withdraw their petitions if the governor signed them.
Some lawmakers expressed concern that donation limits would make it difficult for candidates to campaign. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, while voting in favor of the bill, said it would “limit the money that goes into elections and reduce the amount advertisers, printing companies, and the Postal Service can charge to actually get their messages across.” How will that change?” he asked.
Senate Republican Minority Leader Tim Knopp was among the Republicans who voted in favor of the bill.
“It’s going to be a little confusing and it’s going to take some time for everyone to get used to it. But regardless, I think this is a step forward that Oregonians support,” he said on the Senate floor.
The bill would bring Oregon under federal campaign contribution limits for candidates. Under federal law, individuals can donate up to $3,300 to federal candidates per election, but there is no cap on the amount they can donate to political action committees, known as super PACs.
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