The Senate has passed a campaign finance reform bill, including a provision allowing public financing of local campaigns. House Bill 1499 raises campaign contribution limits, for the first time in two decades, from $10,000 to $24,000 within a four-year election cycle. The bill also curbs giving through multiple corporate entities for the purpose of evading contribution limits, increases reporting requirements, and gives the State Board of Elections new enforcement powers.

An amendment to remove a public financing option for counties was rejected by a 25-16 vote.

The Senate passed House Bill 1499 and cross-filed Senate Bill 1039 on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 by a 45-2 vote. The bill now must be reconciled with a different version passed by the House.