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HB 414

Elections; "person" to include certain nonresidents; revise definition

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Buddy DeLoach and 4 co-sponsors

House Bill 414 expands Georgia's campaign finance laws to include nonresidents, enhancing accountability and allowing the Ethics Commission to investigate more effectively.

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Bill Summary · HB 414

Summary of House Bill 414

Bill Number: HB 414
Title: Elections; "person" to include certain nonresidents; revise definition
Status: Senate Read Second Time
Introduced: February 12, 2025
Sponsors: Representatives Todd Jones (primary), DeLoach, Gunter, Scoggins, Holcomb

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 414 aims to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, specifically Chapter 5 of Title 21, which pertains to government transparency and campaign finance. The bill seeks to broaden the definition of "person" to include certain nonresidents, thereby enhancing the regulatory framework governing campaign finance and ethics in Georgia. This change is intended to ensure that nonresidents who engage in activities that could influence Georgia elections are held accountable under state law.

Key Provisions

  1. Revised Definition of "Person":

    • The bill revises the definition of "person" in Code Section 21-5-3 to include nonresidents who commit acts or omissions or transact business within the state that would be subject to the chapter if performed by a resident.

  2. Supplementary Investigatory Powers:

    • The State Ethics Commission is granted additional investigatory powers to obtain documentation or information from individuals or entities located outside of Georgia.
    • If a person refuses to comply with a request for information, the commission can petition the superior court to compel compliance, provided they demonstrate that the information is pertinent to an investigation.

  3. Venue Provisions:

    • The bill revises the venue for prosecuting civil violations. If the person involved is a nonresident, the venue for any action by the commission will be in Fulton County, rather than the county of residence of the candidate or public officer.

  4. Repeal of Conflicting Laws:

    • The bill includes a provision to repeal any laws that conflict with its enactment.

Impact

  • Affected Parties:

    • The bill will impact nonresidents who engage in political activities or business transactions related to Georgia elections, as they will now be subject to the same regulations as residents.
    • The State Ethics Commission will have enhanced authority to investigate and enforce compliance, potentially leading to increased accountability in campaign finance.

  • Procedural Aspects:

    • The bill has progressed through the legislative process, having been favorably reported by the House Committee and passed by the House. It is currently under consideration in the Senate, where it has been read a second time.

Timeline of Legislative Actions

  • February 12, 2025: Introduced and entered the House Hopper.
  • February 13, 2025: First reading in the House.
  • February 18, 2025: Second reading in the House.
  • February 20, 2025: Favorably reported by House Committee.
  • February 26, 2025: Passed/Adopted by Substitute in the House.
  • February 27, 2025: Read and referred to the Senate.
  • March 13, 2025: Favorably reported by Senate Committee.
  • March 18, 2025: Read second time in the Senate.

This summary provides an overview of House Bill 414, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impact on campaign finance and ethics in Georgia.

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

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