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Bill

SB 1647

elections; foreign contributions prohibited

57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Introduced by Mark Finchem

Arizona bill prohibits foreign nationals and entities from contributing to state political campaigns and establishes state-level enforcement and reporting requirements.

House Second Reading
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1647

Legislative bill overview

SB 1647 prohibits foreign nationals, foreign governments, and foreign entities from making contributions to Arizona political campaigns, candidates, and ballot measure committees. The bill establishes penalties for violations and requires reporting of any attempted foreign contributions to law enforcement.

Why is this important

Foreign campaign contributions are already prohibited under federal law, but this bill creates state-level enforcement mechanisms and penalties. It addresses concerns about foreign interference in elections at the state and local level, where federal oversight may be limited, and establishes clearer state-specific procedures for handling violations.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement complexity: Determining foreign ownership or control of entities making donations could be administratively burdensome and may require subjective determinations about beneficial ownership
  • Definitional scope: The bill's treatment of dual citizens, permanent residents, and foreign-owned businesses with U.S. operations may create ambiguities or unintended consequences
  • Redundancy concerns: Federal law already prohibits foreign contributions; critics may argue state-level duplication creates compliance confusion rather than meaningful additional protection

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

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