PASSED

This enacted ordinance amends Philadelphia’s campaign finance rules for candidates for City elective offices, including by defining who counts as a candidate and generally limiting contributions to $2,500 from an individual and $10,000 from other people or political committees per year. It bars candidates and their committees from accepting or spending contributions above the limits, increases limits for other candidates when a candidate contributes at least $250,000 of personal funds, and authorizes the Board of Ethics to enforce the rules and impose civil penalties.

Amending and clarifying the campaign finance provisions of Chapter 20-1000 of The Philadelphia Code; in particular, defining, for purposes of the Chapter, what it means to be a "candidate" for City elective office; prohibiting the acceptance of contributions in excess of the contribution limits; prohibiting candidates from spending the amount of any contribution in excess of the contribution limits, including any excess contributions made before a person became a candidate; providing that if one candidate makes contributions of his or her own resources in excess of a specified amount to his or her own campaign, then the contribution limits for all other candidates will be increased; providing for enforcement, including the imposition of civil penalties, by the Board of Ethics; and making certain technical changes; all under certain terms and conditions.