A unanimous ruling by the Missouri State Supreme Court strikes down the law that did away with limits on campaign contributions to candidates for statewide office. House Bill 1900 , passed during the 2006 session of the General Assembly, created a blackout period during the legislative session – a period during which contributions could not be made. At the same time, the legislation allowed for unlimited contributions at other times.
Attorney Chuck Hatfield challenged the law in court, and is pleased with the ruling which reinstates campaign contributions. He says attorneys will have ten days in which to file requests for a rehearing. The Supreme Court will also want to read briefs on whether money received by candidates in excess of the previously set limits will have to be returned to the contributors.
Hatfield says he believes that since the law ending the limits has been struck down, the excess contributions will have to be returned, too.
