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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
elections; foreign contributions; prohibition
Purpose
Prohibits foreign corporations, persons and nongovernmental sources from contributing monies or in-kind goods or services to influence the outcome of an election on a ballot measure.
Background
Candidate committees, political action committees and political parties must file campaign finance reports that set forth: 1) the amount of cash on hand at the beginning of the reporting period; 2) total receipts during the reporting period; 3) an itemized list of disbursements exceeding $250 during the reporting period; 4) the total sum of receipts and disbursements for the reporting period; and 5) a certification by the committee treasurer that the contents of the report are true and correct, issued under penalty of perjury. The itemized list of disbursements must include expenditures to advocate for the passage or defeat of a ballot measure. Entities that make ballot measure expenditures exceeding $1,000 during a reporting period must file an expenditure report with the filing officer and must identify the candidate or ballot measure supported or opposed (A.R.S. § 16-926).
Federal law states that it is unlawful for a foreign national to make contributions or donations in connection with a federal, state or local election, a political action committee or for electioneering communications. It is likewise unlawful for a person to accept or solicit such contributions or donations from foreign nationals (52 U.S.C. § 30121).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits a foreign corporation or person from giving monies or in-kind goods or services to influence the outcome of an election on a ballot measure.
2. Prohibits a person, entity or committee from accepting or using monies or in-kind goods or services contributed by a foreign corporation, person or foreign nongovernmental source.
3. Requires persons, entities or committees that are required to file campaign finance reports to certify in such reports, under penalty of perjury, that the person, entity or committee has not accepted or used monies or in-kind goods or services from a foreign entity as prescribed.
4. Exempts federally recognized sovereign tribal nations from this prohibition.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 27, 2025
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