SALT LAKE CITY — State lawmakers will not raise the amount anonymous donors can contribute to political campaigns.
The Senate voted Tuesday to maintain at $50 the amount a lawmaker can receive without having to report who the donor is.
HB 38, sponsored by Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, originally had called for the level to be raised to $100, but was amended on the Senate floor. The bill now goes to the governor.
The measure does address another loophole related to anonymous cash donations. Cash donations of more than $50 given to candidates where there is no declared donor will either be given to a 501-c or a governmental entity for distribution.
Much of the discussion over the two days of debate on the issue focused on reducing the anonymous donation from $50 to $25, but lawmakers voted to keep the current amount in place.
Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, led the push to move the limit to $25, saying he was increasingly uncomfortable with the lack of disclosure associated with anonymous cash contributions.
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