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SB116

Alaska Campaign Contribution Limits and Reporting Changes

Last scannedSep 8, 2026, 12:47 AM

In one sentence

This bill raises contribution limits for state and local elections in Alaska, changes how often these limits apply from yearly to per-election-cycle, removes limits on donations to groups that only make independent expenditures, and sets a schedule for future adjustments based on inflation.

What it does

  • Increases the limit individuals can give to candidates or nongroup entities to $2,000 each election cycle instead of $500 per year.
  • Allows groups that are not political parties to contribute up to $4,000 each election cycle to a candidate or write-in campaign.
  • Permits nongroup entities to give up to $4,000 each election cycle to candidates or other nongroup entities for influencing elections.
  • Sets the limit for individuals contributing to joint governor and lieutenant governor campaigns at $4,000 per election cycle.
  • Removes contribution limits for donations made to groups that only make independent expenditures.
  • Requires the Alaska Public Offices Commission to adjust these limits every ten years starting in 2031 based on inflation data from the Consumer Price Index.
  • Defines 'election cycle' as the time a candidate can receive contributions until their final report is due.

Who it affects

  • Individuals who donate money to political campaigns or groups
  • Groups and nongroup entities that contribute to candidates, other groups, or parties
  • Candidates running for state or local office, including write-in candidates
  • The Alaska Public Offices Commission

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not specify an exact effective date.
  • Future dollar amounts after 2031 depend on inflation data that has not yet been calculated.
  • This change only applies to elections occurring after the law becomes effective, not past ones.

Plain language

Terms to know

Election cycle
The period starting when a candidate can legally receive contributions and ending when they must file their final campaign report.
Independent expenditures
Spending money to support or oppose a candidate without coordinating with that candidate's campaign committee, which is not subject to the new contribution limits in this bill.
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
A measure of inflation for urban Alaska used by the government to calculate adjustments to contribution limits every ten years starting in 2031.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

CAMPAIGN FINANCE, CONTRIBUTION LIMITS An Act amending campaign contribution limits for state and local office; directing the Alaska Public Offices Commission to adjust campaign contribution limits for state and local office once each decade beginning in 2031; and relating to campaign contribution reporting requirements.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) Minutes (SFIN)Min
  2. (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>Text
  3. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532Text
  4. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE933
  5. (S) FN1: ZERO(ADM)933
  6. (S) NR: BJORKMAN933
  7. (S) DNP: YUNDT933
  8. (S) DP: KAWASAKI, WIELECHOWSKI, GRAY-JACKSON933
  9. (S) STA RPT 3DP 1DNP 1NR933
  10. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  11. (S) Moved SB 116 Out of CommitteeText
  12. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  13. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  14. (S) Scheduled but Not HeardText
  15. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  16. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  17. (S) Heard & HeldText
  18. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  19. (S) STA, FIN422
  20. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS422