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HB 1073

Election Laws - As enacted, revises the definition of "contribution," for purposes of financial disclosures under the state's campaign finance laws, to include an activity done independently of or in coordination with a candidate, candidate's political campaign committee, or agent, related to the development, production, and use of canvassing literature and scripts to be used in a door-knocking campaign for a candidate's election. - Amends TCA Title 2.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Johnny Garrett

Tennessee expands campaign finance disclosures to include costs of creating and distributing door-knocking canvassing materials, whether made independently or with candidates, effective May 2025.

Pub. Ch. 350
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Bill Summary · HB 1073

Legislative bill overview

HB 1073 expands Tennessee's campaign finance disclosure requirements by redefining "contribution" to include the costs of developing, producing, and using canvassing literature and door-knocking scripts—whether created independently or coordinated with a candidate. This means groups or individuals funding such campaign materials must now disclose these expenditures under state campaign finance laws.

Why is this important

Campaign finance transparency affects voter access to information about who is funding political activity. This bill closes a potential loophole where groups could fund significant grassroots campaign efforts without formal disclosure, making campaign spending more visible but also potentially increasing compliance costs for volunteer-driven organizations and independent groups.

Potential points of contention

  • Independent expenditure regulation: The inclusion of independently-developed materials (not coordinated with campaigns) extends disclosure requirements beyond traditional coordination frameworks, raising questions about where campaign activity ends and general political speech begins.
  • Burden on grassroots organizations: Small volunteer groups, community organizations, and independent activists may face new administrative costs tracking and reporting canvassing materials, potentially disadvantaging less-resourced political participation.
  • Definitional scope: "Development, production, and use" could be interpreted broadly to capture design meetings, printing costs, and volunteer time valuation, creating ambiguity about what must be reported.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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