Reichner's bill aims to increase campaign contribution limits

State Rep. Scott Reichner, R–Bigfork, is busy promoting bills in the 2013 Legislative Session, one of which deals with campaign finance.

Reichner introduced House Bill 229, which would remove political campaign contribution limits for corporations, political action committees and state parties and increase the aggregate donation thresholds for individuals.

Reichner said the bill would bring the state contribution limits in line with the federal limits.

Various groups, such as Montana Common Cause, the Montana League of Women Voters, and Montana Public Interest Research Group, oppose Reichner’s bill as a complete reversal of decades of Montana law to restrict corporate money and limit wealthy donors influence in elections.

The bill would increase the individual contribution limit based on the type of political office. For example, the contribution limit for governor would increase from $630 to $2,500 under his bill. Other statewide offices would see an increase from $360 to $1,000 and state legislative seats from $160 to $500.

Reichner said that third-party money has been driving campaigns, calling the current situation a “huge inequity” that has resulted in corporations and political committees contributing seven to eight times as much as individuals.

He noted that when he was attorney general, Gov. Steve Bullock fought the Citizens United case but lost. Consequently, millions of dollars have flowed into state political races. Reichner believes his bill would help level the playing field.

Judge Charles C. Lovell of Helena threw out Montana’s campaign contribution limits last year for individuals and political parties, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the state limits in October and told Lovell to outline his full reasoning so the court can review the case. After the 9th Circuit Court issues a final decision it could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Reichner said.

The bill would allow unlimited contributions for corporations in state races to bring the law in line with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on June 25, 2012 that struck down Montana’s ban on political campaign contributions from corporations. In the Citizens United decision, the Supreme Court struck down limits on corporate and union contributions in federal races in 2010. Their subsequent ruling opened the door for individuals to make unlimited contributions to political action committees, or PACs.

HB229 would allow unlimited donations from state political parties. Most other states allow unlimited contributions from state political parties, Reichner said.

“I’m trying to work with the governor (Steve Bullock) on it,” Reichner said. “It’s in committee. It’s not a Republican or Democrat thing. It’s just my opinion,” he said.

Gov. Bullock’s office did not return phone calls when asked what campaign finance reform proposals they support.

There are a lot of campaign finance-related bills that have been introduced, Reichner said. He cited another bill — HB263 from Rep. Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls — that would double the individual contribution limits only.