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AI legalese decoder: Understanding Oregon’s Campaign Finance Reform Bill

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) ÔÇö Oregon lawmakers recently passed a significant campaign finance reform bill to address the influx of money from wealthy donors in state races. The bill sets limits on contributions from individuals, corporations, and political parties, aiming to promote transparency and curb excessive spending in elections.

Oregon, currently without any limits on campaign contributions, will now impose restrictions starting in 2027. Individuals and corporations can donate up to $3,300 to a statewide candidate per election cycle, while political party committees are restricted to $30,000. Membership organizations like labor unions and advocacy groups have a cap of $26,400 per candidate per cycle.

The limits are even lower for candidates in non-statewide races, such as legislative, district attorney, or circuit court judge positions. Political parties and membership organizations can donate up to $15,000 and $13,200, respectively, to these candidates. The $3,300 limit for individuals and corporations remains unchanged.

The bill also mandates the creation of an online dashboard by the secretary of state in 2028, listing the top 100 contributors to candidates and showing industries’ donation amounts.

The bipartisan bill passed with overwhelming support in the state Senate and House, and now awaits Governor Tina Kotek’s approval. Kotek, who backs the legislation, is expected to sign it into law soon.

Organizations advocating for campaign finance reform, like Honest Elections Oregon, have lauded the bill’s passage as a significant achievement. If signed into law, these groups plan to withdraw their petitions for a ballot initiative on the issue.

While some lawmakers have expressed concerns about limiting contributions impacting campaign affordability, others see it as a positive step towards fairer elections. Aligning with federal campaign contribution limits, the bill brings Oregon in line with similar restrictions for candidates at the national level.

With the complexities of legal language and regulations, the AI legalese decoder can assist individuals and organizations in understanding the nuances of campaign finance laws. By providing a simplified and accessible explanation of legal texts, the AI tool can help navigate and comply with the requirements laid out in the campaign finance reform bill.

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