General Assembly Committee Bill No. 5312, introduced in the January Session of 2023, proposes amendments to the Citizens' Election Program concerning the qualifying contribution amounts for participating statewide office candidates. The bill seeks to increase the individual qualifying contribution amount for statewide office candidates from $250 to $1,000. This change would be effective from January 1, 2024. The bill also stipulates that candidate committees must return any portion of a contribution that exceeds $1,000 from any individual, including the candidate themselves. This excess portion would not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amounts under the specified subdivision.

Additionally, the bill outlines that for elections held in 2026 and thereafter, the new $1,000 maximum individual contribution amount will be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission in accordance with changes in the consumer price index for all urban consumers. This adjustment will occur quadrennially, starting no later than January 15, 2026. The adjusted and rounded amount must not exceed the applicable contribution limit set forth in subsection (a) of section 9-611. The purpose of these amendments is to update the qualifying contribution amounts in line with inflation and other economic factors, ensuring the continued efficacy of the Citizens' Election Program.