California Bill Would Loosen Campaign Donation Restrictions for Local Officials

A bill that would raise the maximum donation from $250 to $1,000 to officials who oversee permitting and licensing in the state, is one step closer to law after the Senate passed the measure May 20 on a vote of 30 to 2. The bill will now be heard by committees in the Assembly, and if passed there, would receive a vote on the Assembly floor. If ultimately passed by the Legislature, Senate Bill 1243 would amend a 1982 law on the donation cap and also shorten the window from one year to nine months that such can be made if a donor has business during that time frame before an agency of which the official is involved....