A bill limiting campaign contributions that makes felons out of the worst violators has the backing of many House leaders as New Mexico lawmakers weigh ethics reforms.

The bill's major sponsors — Democrats and Republicans — say it's the toughest version of campaign contribution limits yet to be offered in the 60-day session that began Jan. 20.

"I think by taking some of the money out of politics, out of these races, we can do away with the temptation to pay to play," said Rep. Paul Bandy, an Aztec Republican.

Backers of the bill (HB 495) include Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé, and other powerful House leaders.

It caps contributions to statewide and legislative candidates at $2,300 each for the primary and general election cycles. Contributions to political committees would be limited to $5,000 a calendar year and to political parties to $10,000 a calendar year.

But it wouldn't allow contribution amounts to increase automatically with the consumer price index, as federal law does and the other bills propose.

Rather, increasing the caps would require a change in state law.

"We felt that the limits were appropriate well into the future," said Rep. Jeff Steinborn, a Las Cruces Democrat.

Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, noted that New Mexico is one of just a handful of states with no limits at all on how much can be given to a candidate.

It's "not a partisan issue," said Stewart, who called the legislation a good first step toward diminishing the influence of money in politics.

Under the legislation, anyone who "knowingly and willfully" gave or took contributions that exceeded the limits by $10,000 or more could be convicted of a fourth-degree felony and face a prison sentence of 18 months.

Violators below that threshold could be convicted of a misdemeanor, and face up to a year in prison, which is current law.

"There needs to be serious penalties. ... It's really important that we have faith in the fairness of the electoral process," Bandy said.

Like other bills introduced in the House and the Senate, it would prohibit funneling money through third parties in an effort to disguise the contributor.

It would take effect July 1. Other contribution cap bills would take effect for the 2012 election season.

Campaign contributions are among the most scrutinized elements of an election, said Rep. Larry Larranaga, an Albuquerque Republican.

"By limiting contributions, we are showing people who elect us that we are not controlled by special interests," the lawmaker said.




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