CA AB2523

Establishes a statewide contribution limit of $3,000 per election for candidates for local elective office, effective January 1, 2018, matching the limit for state legislative candidates and adjusted annually by the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Allows local governments (counties, cities, districts, and school districts) to impose different contribution limits through ordinance, resolution, or local initiative measure that supersede the statewide limit.

Extends Political Reform Act provisions regarding candidate-to-candidate contributions, campaign fund transfers, candidate loans, recall elections, post-election contributions, and separate primary/general election accounts to local elections, with exceptions for jurisdictions imposing their own limits.

Authorizes local governments to adopt their own enforcement standards for violations of locally-imposed contribution limits, including administrative, civil, or criminal penalties, while violations of the statewide limit remain subject to Political Reform Act enforcement.

Repeals existing provisions allowing school district and community college district governing boards to limit campaign expenditures, effective January 1, 2018, and repeals county, city, and district authority to limit contributions in local elections as of the same date.