AB 296

Currently, contributions used for the purpose of payment of expenses incurred

in connection with the circulation, offer to file, or filing of a petition to recall an

officeholder prior to the time that a recall primary or election is ordered, or after that

time if incurred in contesting or defending the order, are generally subject to

reporting but are not subject to contribution limitations under the campaign finance

law. Contributions used for the purpose of payment of expenses incurred in

supporting or opposing an officeholder against whom a recall petition has been filed

are subject to the limitations.

This bill treats gifts, receipts, and transfers, including certain in-kind

transactions, made for the purpose of payment of expenses in connection with the

circulation, offer to file, or filing of a petition to recall an officeholder prior to the time

that a recall primary or election is ordered, or in contesting or defending such an

order, as contributions to any candidate who is supported or whose opponent is

opposed for purposes of contribution limitations in the same manner as other

contributions to such a candidate. Under the bill, the contributions become subject

to the limitations on the day that any person registers his or her intent to circulate

a recall petition. If a recall election is ordered, contributions made before and after

the filing of the recall petition are aggregated for purposes of the contribution

limitations. The bill also specifically provides that actions taken for the purpose of

contesting or defending a recall election order are reportable transactions under the

campaign finance law to the same extent as other actions taken for the purpose of

influencing the recall or retention of an officeholder.