KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to California

SB-644 • 2026

Political Reform Act of 1974: contribution limits.

Political Reform Act of 1974: contribution limits.

Crime Education Elections
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Blakespear
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not explicitly state that breaking contribution rules is a misdemeanor, but implies it by referencing existing law.

Limits on Political Contributions

The bill sets limits on how much money individuals can give to candidates for state, county, city, judicial, school district, and community college district offices in California.

What This Bill Does

  • Sets a limit of $5,900 per election on contributions from individuals to candidates for state, county, or city office between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026.
  • Expands the contribution limits to include candidates running for judicial, school district, and community college district offices.
  • Allows the Judicial Council, school districts, and community colleges to set stricter rules on contributions for their specific elections.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Candidates running for state, county, city, judicial, school district, and community college district offices.
  • People who want to give money to political candidates in California.

Terms To Know

Contribution
Money or something of value given to a candidate for an election.
Misdemeanor
A crime that is less serious than a felony and usually results in fines or jail time of up to one year.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone breaks the contribution rules before January 1, 2027.
  • It's unclear how much money will be adjusted for future elections based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.

  3. 2025-05-16 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 23.

  4. 2025-05-12 California Legislative Information

    May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  5. 2025-05-06 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 12.

  6. 2025-05-01 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  7. 2025-04-30 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 1. Page 962.) (April 30).

  8. 2025-04-29 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on ED. (Ayes 4. Noes 1. Page 934.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on ED.

  9. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 30 in ED. pending receipt.

  10. 2025-04-04 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 29.

  11. 2025-04-02 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Coms. on E. & C.A. and ED.

  12. 2025-03-25 California Legislative Information

    From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.

  13. 2025-03-05 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on RLS.

  14. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.

  15. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 644, as amended, Blakespear.
Political Reform Act of 1974: contribution limits.
The Political Reform Act of 1974 prohibits a person, other than a small contributor committee or political party committee, from making to a candidate for elective state, county, or city office, and prohibits those candidates from accepting, a contribution totaling more than $3,000 per election, as that amount is adjusted by the Fair Political Practices Commission in January of every odd-numbered year to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The amount of that contribution limit for an election occurring from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, inclusive, is $5,900.
This bill would apply that contribution limit and certain related provisions to candidates for judicial, school district, and community college district office. The bill would authorize the Judicial Council, school districts, and community college districts to impose more
restrictive contribution limits on candidates for judicial, school district, and community college district office, respectively. The bill’s provisions would become operative on January 1, 2027.
Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the Political Reform Act of 1974 is guilty of a misdemeanor. By adding new contribution limits to the act, the bill would expand the scope of an existing crime and thereby impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative
measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act’s purposes upon a
2
/
3
vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF