CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Senate has passed and sent to the House of Delegates legislation rewriting West Virginia’s campaign finance laws. The bill passed the Senate SB 539 Monday 21-12 with one member absent.

Supporters say the bill updates the states campaign laws and increases campaign contribution limits for local and state races equal to those of federal campaigns.

For example, the limit for donations by private citizens to state candidates would rise from the current $1,000 to $2,700 during an election cycle. Citizens could also donate up to $5,000 a year to political action committees and $10,000 to statewide or caucus committees.

The bill also changes some of the disclosure requirements, although there is disagreement about the benefits. Senator Corey Palumbo (D-Kanawha) argued during floor debate that the bill takes the state in the wrong direction.

“The phrase of the session should be ‘it’s great to the rich’ because once again we’re going cater to those with money to provide them with more influence in elections,” Palumbo said.

But Senator Charlie Trump (R-Morgan) argued that the bill actually encourages greater disclosure and raises the campaign limits for the first time in years.