Berkeley Municipal Code Art. 6 Limitations on Contributions

No person other than a candidate shall make and no campaign treasurer shall solicit or accept any contribution which will cause the total amount contributed by such person with respect to a single election in support of or in opposition to such candidate to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250)*. The Commission shall adjust the dollar amount in this Section for cost of living changes pursuant to Section 2.12.075 in March of every odd-numbered year, or as soon thereafter as practicable. Such adjustments shall be rounded to the nearest ten dollars ($10). For purposes of this section single election is a primary, general, special, runoff or recall election.

*The dollar amounts in this code section are adjusted for inflation every two years. The current dollar amounts are posted online.

(Ord. 7857-NS § 1, 2023; Ord. 7793-NS § 1, 2021; Ord. 5895-NS § 1, 1988; Ord. 4700-NS § 600, 1974)

If any person is found guilty of violating the terms of this chapter, each campaign treasurer who received part or all of the contribution or contributions which constitute the violation shall pay promptly, from available campaign funds, if any, the amount received from such persons in excess of the amount permitted by this chapter to the City for deposit in the Fair Elections Fund of the City. (Ord. 7524-NS § 3.4, 2016; Ord. 4700-NS § 604, 1974)

No proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, syndicate, business trust, company, corporation, including non-profit corporations, or labor union shall make a contribution to any candidate or committee (supporting or opposing any candidate) directly or indirectly, and no campaign treasurer (of any such committee) shall solicit or accept such contribution. (Ord. 6096-NS § 1, 1991; Ord. 4701-NS § 1 (part), 1974; Ord. 4700-NS § 605, 1974)