Alaska House Introduces Campaign Finance Reform Bill
In a significant move towards regulating campaign finance, the Alaska House of Representatives has introduced House Bill 16, sponsored by Democrat Rep. Calvin Schrage. This bill aims to impose caps on campaign contributions, reshaping the state’s previously unlimited contribution system, which had been affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2021.
Key provisions of HB 16 include limiting individual donations to $2,000 per election cycle to candidates, and $5,000 per year to campaign groups. Non-political party entities can contribute up to $4,000 per election cycle to candidates and $5,000 annually to other groups, while joint campaigns for governor and lieutenant governor will see higher caps of $4,000 for individuals and $8,000 for groups.
In a move to ensure these limits remain relevant, the bill mandates reviews by the Alaska Public Offices Commission every decade starting in 2031, adjusting limits based on inflation rates. It also stabilizes reporting for campaigns by prohibiting mid-cycle alterations to reporting methods.
Despite Republican attempts to amend the bill, it is expected to pass with strong Democratic support, facing a split among Republicans. Interestingly, a separate citizens’ initiative spearheaded by the group "Citizens Against Money in Politics" is in the works, proposing even stricter individual contribution caps. This initiative, requiring over 26,000 signatures, seeks to limit individual donations to $500 annually.
As Alaska navigates its campaign finance landscape, the outcomes of both HB 16 and the citizens’ initiative will greatly influence the state’s political funding environment leading into the 2026 election cycle.
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Photo credit mustreadalaska.com
