The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) adopted on Thursday higher political contribution limits and public officer gift limits for the 2023-2024 political cycle. The new limits take effect on January 1, 2023.
Contribution Limits
Under the new limits, an individual, business entity, or committee/PAC can contribute $5,500 per election to candidates for state legislature, up from $4,900. This means that individuals may generally give $11,000 per candidate per cycle, because the primary and general are considered separate elections. The same limit also applies to a candidate for local office unless the locality has adopted its own limits. The limit on contributions from an individual, business entity, or committee/PAC to a candidate for governor also increased, from $32,400 to $36,400 per election. The limit on contributions to PACs that contribute to candidates increased from $8,100 to $9,100 per year, though PACs can also have a separate, noncontribution account with no limit.
The following chart has additional details on the limits for individuals in 2023 and 2024:
An individual, business entity, or committee/PAC may contribute to…
| Governor | $36,400 | per election |
| Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Controller, Supt. of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner, and Board of Equalization | $9,100 | per election |
| Senate and Assembly | $5,500 | per election |
| City and County Candidates if no locally enacted limit | $5,500 | per election |
| CalPERS/CalSTRS | $5,500 | per election |
| Committee (PAC), other than a Political Party, that contributes to State Candidates | $9,100 | per calendar year |
| Political Party Account for State Candidates | $45,500 | per calendar year |
| Small Contributor Committee | $200 | per calendar year |
| Committee Non-Contribution Account | No Limit | per calendar year |
Note that factors other than the limits above may influence the amount and permissibility of contributions to California state and local candidates, including contributions by the contributor’s affiliated individuals and entities; the contributor’s lobbying activity; and the contributor’s state contracting activity. California also has several disclosure requirements for contributors and lobbyists that should be examined before making a contribution.
Gift Limits
Additionally, the FPPC raised the limit on gifts to public officials. For 2023-2024, state and local officials and employees may not receive a gift or gifts totaling more than $590 in a calendar year from certain sources, up from $520. However, the limit on gifts from or arranged by lobbyists is still $10 per month, as that limit is not subject to adjustments for inflation.