Alaska House Advances Bill to Reimpose Campaign Contribution Limits
In a significant move, the Alaska House of Representatives has voted 22-18 in favor of House Bill 16, which aims to re-establish limits on political campaign contributions. This decision comes four years after a federal appeals court struck down the state’s previous contribution caps. The bill echoes a 2026 ballot measure that is expected to receive broad voter support, yet if approved, it would not enact limits until the 2028 elections unless the Legislature passes a similar bill beforehand.
House Bill 16 proposes a cap of $2,000 per candidate for individual contributions, with a joint limit of $4,000 for gubernatorial candidates running on the same ticket. Contributions to political parties would be limited to $5,000, and large donations from groups would be capped at $4,000, or $8,000 for the gubernatorial race. These limits would also be adjusted for inflation every decade.
Rep. Calvin Schrage, an Independent from Anchorage and the bill’s sponsor, emphasized that reinstating these limits would restore public confidence in elected officials and protect them from undue influence by large donations. Historical trends suggest strong public backing for such restrictions, with polling indicating that Alaskans favor contribution limits.
However, the bill faced opposition from some members of the House’s Republican minority, who argued that campaign contributions represent free speech. Rep. Sarah Vance, a Republican, cautioned against reinstating limits, emphasizing the lack of evidence showing corruption linked to current unrestricted contributions.
The bill’s supporters, including Rep. Andy Josephson, highlighted the importance of allowing legislators to focus on constituents rather than large donors. With the bill now heading for further consideration, Alaska’s political landscape may soon see a shift aimed at enhancing electoral integrity and public trust.
Source
Photo credit www.newsminer.com
