Morro Bay Municipal Code Ch. 2.50 Campaign Contribution Limits

A. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter:

1. To promote integrity, honesty, fairness, and transparency in municipal election campaigns.

2. To prevent corruption, or the appearance of corruption, which results from the real or imagined influence of large contributions on the conduct or actions of candidates elected to office.

3. To place realistic and enforceable limits on the amounts persons may contribute in municipal election campaigns.

4. To provide full and fair enforcement of all provisions of this chapter.

B. By enacting this chapter, the city council does not intend to deprive or restrict any citizen of the exercise of rights guaranteed under the United States Constitution and the California Constitution.

C. The city council takes specific notice of the findings and declarations made in the Political Reform Act and finds and declares them applicable to Morro Bay and a basis for enacting this chapter.

D. It is the intent of this chapter to impose limits on the amount of money that may be contributed to a candidate or controlled committee to achieve the purposes specified in this section. This chapter is not intended, and shall not be construed, to establish any reporting, filing, or procedural requirement in addition to, or different from, the Political Reform Act or the regulations adopted by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

(Ord. No. 675, § 5, 1-27-26)

The terms used in this chapter shall have the same definitions as specified in the Political Reform Act and FPPC regulations. In those cases where definitions in the Political Reform Act or FPPC regulations contain a specific reference to any state election, candidate, or electoral criteria, the definition shall be modified to reflect the municipal equivalent, or, in the absence of a municipal equivalent, to delete the specific reference.

(Ord. No. 675, § 5, 1-27-26)

A. Acceptance or Solicitation by Candidates or Controlled Committees. No candidate or controlled committee shall solicit or accept any contribution from any person which would cause the total amount contributed by such person, with respect to any single election, to the candidate or any controlled committee connected with that candidate, to exceed the sum of five hundred dollars.

B. Not Applicable to Personal Funds or Loans. The limits imposed by this section shall not apply to the contribution of a candidate's personal funds or loans made from a candidate to their own controlled committee made in accordance with state law.

C. Return of Excessive Contributions. Contributions which either in the aggregate or on their face exceed the contribution limit under this section shall be deemed not to have been accepted if returned within fourteen days of receipt so long as the candidate or controlled committee did not make use of the contribution prior to returning it.

D. Penalties and Enforcement.

1. Violations of this chapter may be punishable as infractions or misdemeanors pursuant to Chapter 1.16 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code.

2. Violations of this chapter may be punishable through administrative fines imposed by the city clerk as the designated enforcement officer in accordance with Chapter 1.03 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code.

3. In addition to other remedies provided by this chapter or by other law, any violation of this chapter may be remedied by a civil action brought by the city attorney, including but not limited to administrative or judicial proceedings, civil or criminal code enforcement proceedings, and suits for injunctive relief.

4. The remedies provided by this chapter are cumulative and in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity.

(Ord. No. 675, § 5, 1-27-26)