Oregon Legislature Passes Campaign Contribution Limits and Disclosure, Dodging an Even Stricter Ballot Initiative

Brian Beihl

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 11, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Oregon’s legislature took a step March 7th to limit the influence of money in politics by capping campaign finance contributions.  But it may preempt an even stricter ballot initiative.

HB 4024 limits campaign contributions for individuals and corporations to $3,300 per election, or $6,600 for both the primary and general.  Small donor political committees could accept up to $250 from individuals, which can then give up to $10 per donor per election to statewide candidates.   Membership organizations such as unions and business groups could contribute a maximum $26,400 to a statewide candidate per election.  

Initiative Petition 9, backed by Honest Elections Oregon and other democracy groups, had stricter limits and more disclosure requirements for groups doing political spending.  HB 4024 requires groups spending $50,000 or more to disclose an individual donor who contributed $5,000 or more. ID 9’s proposed disclosure threshold was $1,000, and forced those donors to register with the state.   It also completely banned direct corporate contributions to candidates.   

While democracy advocates don’t think HB 4024 goes far enough, reporting by the Oregon Capital Chronicle suggests campaign finance activists saw it as “better than nothing.”  Governor Tina Kotek is expected to sign the bill, and backers may withdraw IP 9 and another union-backed initiative.

We have more on HB 4024 and the groups taking action at   AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Oregon Legislature – Summary for HB 4024
Oregon Legislature –  Bill Text for HB 4024
Oregon Capital Journal – Oregon is one signature away from ending unlimited campaign contributions
Initiative Petition 9 – Summary

Groups Taking Action:
Honest Elections Oregon, Common Cause Oregon, League of Women Voters

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #OregonPolitics #MoneyinPolitics #CampaignFinanceReform