Bill Text: DE HB473 | 2021-2022 | 151st General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: An Act To Amend Title 15 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Election Campaign Contribution Limits.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-06-10 - Introduced and Assigned to Administration Committee in House [HB473 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2021-HB473-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Rep. Collins & Sen. Pettyjohn & Sen. Townsend |
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Rep. Briggs King |
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 473
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELECTION CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS.
WHEREAS, Delaware’s election campaign contribution limits were last set in 1991; and
WHEREAS, since 1991, the Consumer Price Index prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor for urban consumers has increased by 90 percent; and
WHEREAS, inflation has consistently lowered the purchasing power of any fixed sum of money; and
WHEREAS, the regulation of election campaign contributions is a matter that elected officials try to avoid, hence, there has been no change to the contribution limits for over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, a democracy functions best with a well informed and involved electorate; and
WHEREAS, an election campaign requires a reasonable amount of funding in order to inform and get people involved.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend § 8010, Title 15 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
§ 8010. Contribution limits for candidates.
(c) The Commissioner of Elections shall adjust and set the contribution limits stated in this section as of January 1 each year after a general election. The adjustment and setting of new contribution limits required by this subsection shall be based upon the change in the Consumer Price Index prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor for urban consumers that has been incurred since the most recent adjustment.
(d) The Commissioner of Elections shall submit an order issued under subsection (c) of this section to the Registrar of Regulations for publication in the Register of Regulations. The Secretary shall also publish the order on the Department’s website.
Section 2. This Act takes effect on January 1, 2023.
SYNOPSIS
Campaign contribution limits have not been changed since 1991. Since then, the cost of a 1st class stamp has increased from 29 cents to 58 cents today. Since 1991, the Consumer Price Index has risen by at least 90 percent.
The Act authorizes the Commissioner of Elections, as of January 1 after each general election, to adjust and set new election campaign contribution limits for statewide and non-statewide elections based upon the change to the Consumer Price Index that occurs since the most recent adjustment to these contribution limits.
