HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-1755 amending Chapter 2.40.040 of the Municipal Code related to Campaign Contribution Limitations.O 1755
ORDINANCE NO. 1755 (2026 SERIES)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 2.40.040 OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATIONED TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION
LIMITATIONS
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1243 amended Section 84308 of the Political Reform Act,
raising the threshold for a conflicted contribution from the previous limit of $250 to $500
in (in the aggregate per candidate.)
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo conducted a public meeting
in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, on
February 3, 2026, for the purpose of considering changes proposed to update the
Municipal Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings. After considering the meeting minutes and
recommendations of the City Clerk and City Attorney and public input and testimony,
having considered arguments and authority supporting and opposing modifications to and
continuation of the City’s campaign regulations, the Council makes and adopts the
following findings in support of the regulations adopted herein:
a) San Luis Obispo is a small and engaged community wherein residents closely
follow and scrutinize elections processes and closely monitor the amounts and
sources of campaign contributions to individual candidates for elected office .
b) Based on an evaluation of campaign expenditures in comparable cities, the
Council finds the direct contribution limits adopted herein are consistent with
those in place in comparable jurisdictions and, notwithstanding the existing
limitations or lack thereof in comparable jurisdictions, that the limitations
adopted herein would permit candidates to solicit and accept contributions far
in excess of historical expenditures by candidates in the City of San Luis
Obispo and comparable cities.
c) The Council has considered and affirms the statement of purpose and intent
set forth herein and determines the amended and increased contribution limits
adopted herein further and support the stated purpose and intent.
SECTION 2. That the following section of the San Luis Municipal Code Chapter
2.40 is hereby amended to read as follows:
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2.40.040 Contribution limitations.
A. Contributions by Persons to Candidates and/or Controlled Committees. No
person shall make any contribution to a candidate and/or any controlled
committee connected with that candidate, with respect to any single election,
which would cause the total amount contributed by such person to the
candidate and any controlled committee connected with that candidate, when
combined, to exceed five hundred dollars.
B. Acceptance or Solicitation by Candidates or Controlled Committees. No
candidate or controlled committee shall solicit or accept any contribution from
any person which would cause the total amount contributed by such person,
with respect to any single election, to the candidate and/or any controlled
committee connected with that candidate, when combined, to exceed the sum
of five hundred dollars.
SECTION 3. Ordinance Number 1733 (2024 Series) is hereby amended and
superseded to the extent inconsistent herewith.
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SECTION 4. A summary of this ordinance, together with the names of Council
members voting for and against, shall be published at least five (5) days prior to its final
passage, in The New Times, a newspaper published and circulated in this City. This
ordinance shall go into effect at the expiration of thirty (30) days after its final passage.
INTRODUCED on the 3rd day of February, 2026, AND FINALLY ADOPTED by
the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo on the 17th day of February, 2026, on the
following vote:
AYES: Council Member Boswell, Marx, Shoresman, Vice Mayor Francis,
and Mayor Stewart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
_______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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2/19/2026 | 3:32 PM PST