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File #: ID18-0334    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Mayor's Office
File created: 2/27/2018 In control: City Council
On agenda: 3/8/2018 Final action: 3/8/2018
Title: ***BILL No. B-8 - (Intro. 3/1/2018) (For adoption) - Amending Section 2-1104 of the Municipal Code relating to campaign contributions. (Subject to Mayor's veto)
Sponsors: City Attorney's Office
Attachments: 1. Ord- amending 2-1104.pdf

REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL

 

 

 

March 8, 2018

 

 

FROM:                     DOUGLAS T. SLOAN, City Attorney

City Attorney’s Office

 

SUBJECT

Title

***BILL No. B-8 - (Intro. 3/1/2018) (For adoption) - Amending Section 2-1104 of the Municipal Code relating to campaign contributions.   (Subject to Mayor’s veto)

 

Body

RECOMMENDATION

 

It is recommended Council approve the ordinance amending Section 2-1104 of the Municipal Code relating to campaign contributions.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

Charter Section 309 limits campaign contributions to a time window from the election filing date through the end of that calendar year.  A recent court of appeals decision found such time restrictions to be unconstitutional. This ordinance provides the City will no longer enforce Charter Section 309 and effectively removes timing restrictions for fundraising for city offices.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision of Zimmerman v. City of Austin, Texas, No. 16-51366, 2018 WL 652854 (5th Cir. Feb. 1, 2018) recently held fundraising time limits violate the First Amendment absent specific findings that the time limits prevent actual or perceived corruption beyond contribution dollar limits.  In light of the Zimmerman case, this ordinance amends Municipal Code Section 2-1104 to state Charter Section 309 will no longer be enforced.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS

 

Not applicable.

 

LOCAL PREFERENCE

 

Not applicable.

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

None.

 

Attachment:                     Ordinance Amending Section 2-1104