HB 555 — An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions and providing for limitations on campaign contributions; and imposing duties on the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

PRINTER'S NO.   556

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 555
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, HILL-EVANS, FIEDLER, PROBST, OTTEN,
        SANCHEZ, SAMUELSON, STEELE, WAXMAN, HADDOCK, HANBIDGE AND
        PIELLI, FEBRUARY 11, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 11, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), entitled
 2      "An act concerning elections, including general, municipal,
 3      special and primary elections, the nomination of candidates,
 4      primary and election expenses and election contests; creating
 5      and defining membership of county boards of elections;
 6      imposing duties upon the Secretary of the Commonwealth,
 7      courts, county boards of elections, county commissioners;
 8      imposing penalties for violation of the act, and codifying,
 9      revising and consolidating the laws relating thereto; and
10      repealing certain acts and parts of acts relating to
11      elections," in primary and election expenses, further
12      providing for definitions and providing for limitations on
13      campaign contributions; and imposing duties on the Secretary
14      of the Commonwealth.
15      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
16   hereby enacts as follows:
17      Section 1.    The definition of "valuable thing" in section
18   1621(k) of the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as
19   the Pennsylvania Election Code, is amended to read:
20      Section 1621.    Definitions.--As used in this article, the
21   following words have the following meanings:
22      * * *
23      (k)   The words "valuable thing" shall mean all securities,
 1   goods, facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel, advertising,
 2   services, membership lists commonly offered or used commercially
 3   or other in-kind contributions provided without compensation, or
 4   at compensation which is below the usual and normal compensation
 5   for the items. The dollar value of a contribution of a valuable
 6   thing is the difference between the usual and normal charge for
 7   goods or services at the time of the contribution and the amount
 8   charged the candidate or political committee.
 9      Any of the categories hereinafter excluded from the
10   definition of "valuable thing" shall not be deemed a
11   contribution or expenditure for purposes of reporting or record
12   keeping. The words "valuable thing" shall not include such de
13   minimus items as the following:
14      (1)   Voluntary personal services provided by individuals who
15   volunteer a portion or all of their time on behalf of a
16   candidate or political committee.
17      (2)   The operation of a motor vehicle owned or leased by a
18   candidate or a member of his immediate family or for consumption
19   of food or beverages by a candidate or his immediate family.
20      (3)   The use of real or personal property, including a
21   community room or a church used on a regular basis by members of
22   a community for noncommercial purposes, and the cost of
23   invitations, food and beverages voluntarily provided by an
24   individual to any candidate in rendering voluntary personal
25   services on the individual's residential premises or in the
26   church or community room for candidate related activities, to
27   the extent that the cumulative value of such invitations, food
28   and beverages provided by such individual on behalf of any
29   single candidate does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars
30   ($250), with respect to any single election.

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 1      (4)   The sale of any food or beverage by a vendor other than
 2   a corporation or unincorporated association for use in any
 3   candidate's campaign at a charge less than the normal comparable
 4   charge, if such charge is at least equal to the cost of such
 5   food or beverage to the vendor to the extent that the cumulative
 6   value of such reduced charge by such vendor on behalf of any
 7   single candidate does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars
 8   ($250) with respect to any single election.
 9      (5)   Any unreimbursed payment for travel expenses made by any
10   individual on behalf of any candidate to the extent that the
11   cumulative value of such travel activity by such individual on
12   behalf of any single candidate does not exceed two hundred fifty
13   dollars ($250) with respect to any single election.
14      (6)   The use of the personal residence or the business or
15   office space of the candidate other than a corporation or
16   unincorporated association and the use of personal property
17   owned or leased by the candidate: Provided, however, That the
18   cumulative value of the use of such personal property does not
19   exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) with respect to any single
20   election.
21      (7)   The use of the personal residence or the business or
22   office space of any volunteer, other than a corporation or
23   unincorporated association, and the use of personal property
24   owned or leased by a volunteer: Provided, however, That the
25   cumulative value of the use of such personal property does not
26   exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) with respect to any
27   single election. Nothing in this section shall be construed to
28   permit any matter prohibited in sections 1633 and 1843.
29      (8)   Legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf of
30   a political committee of a political party, an authorized

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 1   committee of a candidate or another political committee, if the
 2   legal or accounting services are solely for the purpose of
 3   ensuring compliance with this article.
 4      * * *
 5      Section 2.   The act is amended by adding a section to read:
 6      Section 1627.1.   Limitations on Campaign Contributions.--
 7   Aggregate contribution limits for a candidate may not exceed the
 8   levels established under 52 U.S.C. § 30116 (relating to
 9   limitations on contributions and expenditures) and regulations
10   promulgated by the Federal Election Commission in accordance
11   with 11 CFR 110 (relating to contribution and expenditure
12   limitations and prohibitions).
13      Section 3.   The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall certify
14   the calculation of the levels determined under section 1627.1 of
15   the act and shall transmit notice of the levels, including any
16   changes to the levels, to the Legislative Reference Bureau for
17   publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania
18   Bulletin.
19      Section 4.   This act shall take effect January 1, 2026, or
20   immediately, whichever is later.




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