Alaska 33rd Legislature (2023-2024) Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

SB 17 — An Act relating to political contributions; and providing for an effective date.

Last action — (S) REFERRED TO RULES

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 33rd Legislature (2023-2024). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

40 added · 82 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to SB 17 have adjusted the contribution limits for individuals and groups involved in political activities. Specifically, individuals can now contribute up to $700 instead of $500 per year to non-political party entities, and groups not affiliated with a political party can give up to $1,400, an increase from $1,000. This change matters because it allows for more financial support towards candidates and campaigns, potentially increasing their resources and influence during elections.

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33-LS0183\B CS FOR SENATE BILL NO.
33-LS0183\A SENATE BILL NO.
17(JUD) IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE Referred:
17 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION BY SENATOR KAWASAKI Introduced:
Rules4 Sponsor(s):
1/18/23 Referred:
SENATOR KAWASAKI A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to political contributions;
State Affairs, Judiciary A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to political contributions;
AS 15.13.050(b) is amended to read:
(b) If a group intends to support only one candidate or to contribute to or expend on behalf of one candidate 33 1/3 percent or more of its funds, the name of the candidate shall be a part of the name of the group.
If the group intends to oppose only one candidate or to contribute its funds in opposition to or make expenditures in opposition to a candidate, the group's name must clearly state that it opposes that candidate by using a word such as "opposes," "opposing," "in opposition to," or "against" in the group's name.
Promptly upon receiving the registration, the commission shall notify the candidate of the group's organization and intent.
A candidate may register more than one group to support the candidate;
however, multiple groups controlled by a single candidate shall be treated as a single group for purposes of the contribution limit in AS 15.13.070(b) [AS 15.13.070(b)(1)].
* Sec.
2.
SB0017B -1- CSSB 17(JUD) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0183\B (b) Except as provided in (h) of this section, an[AN] individual may contribute not more than (1) $2,000 each campaign period [$500 PER YEAR] to a nongroup entity for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate, to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate [, OR TO A GROUP THAT IS NOT A POLITICAL PARTY];
(b) An individual may contribute not more than (1) $700 [$500] per year to a nongroup entity for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate, to a candidate, to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate, or to a group that is not a political party;
(2) $5,000 a [PER] year to a political party or other group.
(2) $5,000 per year to a political party.
3.
2.
(c) Except as provided in (h) of this section, a [A] group that is not a political party may contribute not more than (1) $4,000 each campaign period [$1,000 PER YEAR (1)] to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate;
(c) A group that is not a political party may contribute not more than $1,400 [$1,000] per year (1) to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate;
(2) $5,000 each year to another group, to a nongroup entity, or to a political party.
(2) to another group, to a nongroup entity, or to a political party.
SB0017A -1- SB 17 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0183\A * Sec.
3.
AS 15.13.070(f) is amended to read:
(f) A nongroup entity may contribute not more than $1,400 [$1,000] a year to another nongroup entity for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate, to a candidate, to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate, to a group, or to a political party.
AS 15.13.070(f) is amended to read:
AS 15.13.070(g) is amended to read:
(f) Except as provided in (h) of this section, a[A] nongroup entity may contribute not more than (1) $4,000 each campaign period [$1,000 A YEAR] to another nongroup entity for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate, to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate;
(g) Where contributions are made to a joint campaign for governor and lieutenant governor, (1) an individual may contribute not more than $1,400 [$1,000] per year;
(2) $5,000 each year [,] to a group [,] or to a political party.
and (2) a group may contribute not more than $2,800 [$2,000] per year.
AS 15.13.070(g) is amended to read:
AS 15.13.070 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
(g) Where contributions are made to a joint campaign for governor and lieutenant governor, (1) an individual may contribute not more than $4,000 each campaign period [$1,000 PER YEAR];
(h) Beginning in the first quarter of calendar year 2024 and every four years thereafter, the commission shall, by regulation, adjust the contribution limitations set out in this section by a percentage equal to the percentage of increase over the preceding four-year period in all items of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for Anchorage, Alaska, rounded to the nearest $10 increment.
and (2) a group may contribute not more than $8,000 each campaign period [$2,000 PER YEAR].
AS 15.13.070 is amended by adding new subsections to read:
(h) The contribution limits provided under (b)(1), (c)(2), and (f) of this section CSSB 17(JUD) -2- SB0017B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0183\B do not apply to an individual, group, or nongroup entity contributing to a group or nongroup entity that makes only independent expenditures.
(i) Beginning in the first quarter of calendar year 2031 and every 10 years thereafter, the commission shall, by regulation, adjust the contribution limitations set out in this section by a percentage equal to the percentage of increase over the preceding 10-year period in all items of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for urban Alaska, rounded to the nearest $50 increment.
* Sec.
7.
AS 15.13.110(i) is amended to read:
(i) During a campaign period, the commission may not change the manner or format in which reports required of a candidate under this chapter must be filed.
[IN THIS SUBSECTION, "CAMPAIGN PERIOD" MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING ON THE DATE THAT A CANDIDATE BECOMES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER THIS CHAPTER AND ENDING ON THE DATE THAT A FINAL REPORT FOR THAT SAME CAMPAIGN MUST BE FILED.] * Sec.
8.
AS 15.13.400 is amended by adding a new paragraph to read:
(20) "campaign period" means the period beginning on the date that a candidate becomes eligible to receive campaign contributions under this chapter and ending on the date that a final report for that same campaign must be filed.
* Sec.
9.
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The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read:
APPLICABILITY.
The contribution limits of AS 15.13.070(b), as amended by sec.
2 of this Act, AS 15.13.070(c), as amended by sec.
3 of this Act, AS 15.13.070(f), as amended by sec.
4 of this Act, and AS 15.13.070(g), as amended by sec.
5 of this Act, apply to a contribution made to influence the outcome of an election that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.
* Sec.
10.
SB0017B -3- CSSB 17(JUD) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
SB 17 -2- SB0017A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill modifies the limits and regulations on political contributions in Alaska, raising some contribution limits and defining a 'campaign period'.

  • AS 15.13.050(b)

    AS 15.13.070(b)(1)

    Changes the treatment of multiple groups controlled by a single candidate regarding contribution limits.

  • AS 15.13.070(b)

    $500 PER YEAR → $2,000 each campaign period

    Increases the limit for individual contributions to a nongroup entity for influencing elections.

  • AS 15.13.070(b)

    TO A GROUP THAT IS NOT A POLITICAL PARTY

    Removes restrictions on contributions to groups that are not political parties.

  • AS 15.13.070(c)

    $1,000 PER YEAR (1) → $4,000 each campaign period

    Increases the limit for contributions from groups to candidates.

  • AS 15.13.070(c)

    $5,000 each year

    Increases contribution limits for groups to other groups, nongroup entities, or political parties.

  • AS 15.13.070(f)

    $1,000 A YEAR → $4,000 each campaign period

    Increases contribution limits for nongroup entities to other nongroup entities influencing elections.

  • AS 15.13.070(f)

    $5,000 each year

    Increases contribution limits for nongroup entities to groups or political parties.

  • AS 15.13.070(g)

    $1,000 PER YEAR → $4,000 each campaign period

    Increases limits on contributions from individuals to joint campaigns for governor and lieutenant governor.

  • AS 15.13.070(g)

    $2,000 PER YEAR → $8,000 each campaign period

    Increases contribution limits for groups to joint gubernatorial campaigns.

  • AS 15.13.070

    The contribution limits provided under (b)(1), (c)(2), and (f) of this section do not apply to an individual, group, or nongroup entity contributing to a group or nongroup entity that makes only independent expenditures.

    Exempts contributions to entities making only independent expenditures from certain contribution limits.

  • AS 15.13.070

    Beginning in the first quarter of calendar year 2031 and every 10 years thereafter, the commission shall, by regulation, adjust the contribution limitations set out in this section by a percentage equal to the percentage of increase over the preceding 10-year period in all items of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for urban Alaska, rounded to the nearest $50 increment.

    Establishes a process for adjusting contribution limits based on inflation every decade.

  • AS 15.13.110(i)

    IN THIS SUBSECTION, "CAMPAIGN PERIOD" MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING ON THE DATE THAT A CANDIDATE BECOMES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER THIS CHAPTER AND ENDING ON THE DATE THAT A FINAL REPORT FOR THAT SAME CAMPAIGN MUST BE FILED.

    Removes the definition of 'campaign period' from this subsection.

  • AS 15.13.400

    "campaign period" means the period beginning on the date that a candidate becomes eligible to receive campaign contributions under this chapter and ending on the date that a final report for that same campaign must be filed.

    Defines the term 'campaign period' for clarity in the statute.

  • The contribution limits of AS 15.13.070(b), AS 15.13.070(c), AS 15.13.070(f), and AS 15.13.070(g) apply to a contribution made to influence the outcome of an election that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.

    Establishes the applicability of the amended contribution limits to future elections.

Action History

  1. (S) REFERRED TO RULES

  2. (S) FN2: ZERO(ADM)

  3. (S) NR: KAUFMAN

  4. (S) DP: CLAMAN, KIEHL

  5. (S) JUD RPT CS 2DP 1NR SAME TITLE

  6. (S) Moved CSSB 17(JUD) Out of Committee -- Delayed to 1:45 pm --

  7. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  8. (S) Heard & Held

  9. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  10. (S) Minutes (SJUD)

  11. (S) Heard & Held

  12. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  13. (S) FN1: ZERO(ADM)

  14. (S) NR: BJORKMAN

  15. (S) DP: KAWASAKI, WIELECHOWSKI

  16. (S) STA RPT 2DP 1NR

  17. (S) Minutes (SSTA)

  18. (S) Moved SB 17 Out of Committee -- Rescheduled from 3:30 pm --

  19. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 09:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  20. (S) Minutes (SSTA)

  21. (S) Heard & Held

  22. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  23. (S) STA, JUD

  24. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  25. (S) Prefile released 1/9/23

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 64 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (64)

64 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

finance elections
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 17?
SB 17 is sponsored by Scott Kawasaki (D).
What is the current status of SB 17?
This bill died with 33rd Legislature (2023-2024). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 17?
Track SB 17 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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