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HB 3396

Establishes the Missouri corporate power reset act that prohibits political spending power by artificial persons

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Wick Thomas

Missouri HB 3396 would ban political spending by artificial persons (corporations, LLCs, unions, etc.), restricting their ability to fund campaigns and political advocacy.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 3396

Bill Overview

HB 3396 (Session 2026, Missouri) seeks to establish the Missouri Corporate Power Reset Act. The core aim is to prohibit political spending power by artificial persons (corporations, LLCs, and similar legal entities) and to regulate how money can be used for political purposes in Missouri.

Primary purpose and intent

  • Prohibits political spending power by artificial persons, effectively restricting corporate and other non-human entities from exerting influence in political processes through spending.
  • Seeks to reset or limit the role of corporate money in Missouri elections and political advocacy.

Key provisions and changes

  • Prohibition on political spending by artificial persons: The bill defines artificial persons and restricts their ability to engage in political spending related to campaigns, elections, or political advocacy.
  • Scope of restricted activities: Likely includes contributions, expenditures, and independent political expenditures by corporations and other artificial entities. (Please note: the specific activities and permissible exceptions would be detailed in the bill text; the summary reflects the bill’s stated prohibition on political spending by artificial persons.)
  • Definitions: Establishes criteria and definitions for what constitutes an artificial person, political spending, political contributions, and related terms used throughout the act.
  • Enforcement mechanisms: Provides the enforcement framework, including who enforces the ban (state agencies or a new or existing oversight body) and potential penalties for violations.
  • Compliance requirements: May impose reporting or disclosure requirements for artificial persons to demonstrate they are not engaging in political spending.
  • Relationship to individuals: Retains or clarifies that natural persons (ordinary voters, residents) retain the right to participate in political spending within existing Missouri law.

Who/what would be affected

  • Artificial persons: Corporations, LLCs, non-profit corporations, unions, and other non-human legally recognized entities engaged in political activity.
  • Political actors and organizations: Political committees, campaigns, and interest groups that rely on corporate or entity funding may be affected by any restrictions or reporting requirements.
  • State enforcement bodies: Agencies responsible for campaign finance or election law enforcement would implement and monitor compliance.
  • Missouri voters and the political process: Potential changes in who can influence elections through spending; could alter the fundraising landscape and the sources of campaign funding.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and First Reading: February 24, 2026.
  • Second Reading: February 25, 2026.
  • Referral to Committee: Emerging Issues (H) on May 15, 2026.
  • The bill will proceed through additional floor actions, committee hearings, and potential amendments as part of the normal legislative process, with final passage and送 potential gubernatorial action to follow (not specified in the provided history).

Potential implications

  • If enacted, Missouri would constrain or prohibit corporate political spending, potentially shifting influence toward natural persons and/or other non-entity forms of political activity.
  • Compliance and enforcement costs could arise for artificial persons and for oversight agencies.
  • The bill could interact with existing state campaign finance laws, including disclosures and contribution limits, potentially creating new restrictions or requiring additional disclosures for entities that previously engaged in political spending.

Note: For precise language, definitions, exceptions, penalties, and the full scope of activities restricted, the text of HB 3396 would be required. This summary reflects the bill’s stated objective to prohibit political spending power by artificial persons and outlines the likely areas of impact based on typical corporate spending restrictions.

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

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