Alaska House narrowly passes campaign contribution limits bill

The Alaska House voted 21-19 Wednesday to accept Senate changes to a campaign finance bill that would restore limits on contributions to candidates for state and local office. The bill now goes to Gov. Mike Dunleavy for his signature or veto.

House Bill 16, sponsored by Rep. Calvin Schrage, D-Anchorage, responds to a 2021 federal appeals court ruling that struck down Alaska's prior $500 contribution limits. The bill would set new contribution limits at $2,000 per donor per candidate per year. Schrage told members the bill would require inflation adjustments every 10 years.

The Senate set an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027, so the new limits would not apply during the current election cycle. The House accepted the Senate version, but a separate vote on the effective date failed 24-16.

The delayed effective date means candidates in ongoing races, including the Anchorage mayoral election, would not be affected by the new limits. Contributions raised before Jan. 1, 2027 would remain valid under the current unlimited system. The bill does not require candidates to return money raised before the effective date.

Supporters said Alaska voters have repeatedly backed contribution limits. They said unlimited direct donations can undermine public trust in government.

Opponents said the bill would restrict political speech and likely draw another lawsuit. They said it would do little to address independent expenditure groups, which can receive unlimited money under federal campaign finance precedents.

The vote was one of the closest on the House's final day. Schrage said that if the Legislature did not act, the issue would appear on the August ballot.