Bill
HB 2521
HB 2521 (AZ & IL): Arizona bans foreign money in elections; Illinois requires fingerprint-based background checks for game officials.
Note: The provided document combines two distinct bills both labeled HB 2521 from different states. Below are concise, separate summaries of each bill/major version in the file.
Status (Arizona material): Introduced Feb 6, 2025; House Engrossed includes additional enforcement section; current status noted as Rule 19(b) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee.
Purpose
- Prohibit use or acceptance of foreign money or in‑kind donations in Arizona election administration and in campaigns to influence ballot measures.
Key provisions
- Prohibitions:
- Government entities may not use monies or in‑kind goods/services donated directly or indirectly by a foreign government or a “foreign nongovernmental source” for election administration (new §16‑407.04).
- Foreign governments may not knowingly give, and persons/entities/committees may not knowingly accept/use, money or in‑kind contributions from foreign governments or foreign nongovernmental sources to influence ballot measures (§16‑919).
- Definitions:
- “Foreign nongovernmental source” = an individual who is not a U.S. citizen or national. Federally recognized tribal nations are excluded from the “foreign government” and “foreign nongovernmental source” definitions.
- “Person” includes individuals and entities (does not include poll workers).
- Certifications & reporting:
- Vendors or persons providing election‑administration services must file sworn, dated certifications with the Secretary of State that they are not knowingly recipients of foreign donations; certifications must be updated annually and within 5 business days of discovering new disqualifying information. Facility providers for voting locations are exempt from this certification requirement.
- Government entities must submit quarterly reports to the Secretary of State listing vendors/persons who provide election‑administration services. The Secretary of State must maintain and post certifications publicly.
- Remedies & penalties (House Engrossed adds §16‑407.05):
- Civil enforcement: any qualified elector or state officer may sue. Courts may enjoin violations and award damages of $1,000 per day from date of noncompliance (CPI‑adjusted), civil penalties, costs, and attorneys’ fees.
- Separate civil penalty for vendors who knowingly provide false or missing certification: liable for three times monies paid/contracted by the government entity; controlling persons are jointly/severally liable. Contracts are invalidated for vendors who fail or falsify certifications.
Who is affected
- State, county, and local government election entities; vendors/contractors supplying election‑administration services; campaign committees and entities involved with ballot measures; individuals (non‑citizen donors as defined); and qualified electors/state officers exercising enforcement rights.
Potential impacts / notes
- Establishes public certification and quarterly reporting regimes and creates private right of action with statutory damages and treble penalties for vendor failures.
- Narrowly defines foreign nongovernmental source as non‑citizen/non‑national individuals; does not appear to address foreign corporate or organizational donors except via “foreign government” language.
- Exempts federally recognized tribes.
Status (Illinois material): Passed House (109–0 or later action), Senate amendments adopted; effective date in engrossed text: July 1, 2026.
Purpose
- Extend existing criminal history and offender‑database screening requirements (used for school employment) to game officials and create licensing/background‑check requirements for interscholastic officials.
Key provisions
- Adds a new section to the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act requiring associations (e.g., Illinois High School Association) or entities that license game officials to:
- Require applicants to authorize fingerprint‑based criminal history records checks (state and FBI) to screen for disqualifying/ enumerated criminal or drug offenses and recent felonies (within 7 years).
- Check the Statewide Sex Offender Database and the Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database. These database checks must be repeated once every 5 years while the official remains licensed.
- Require electronic fingerprints via livescan vendors; fees may be charged up to the cost of the inquiry (deposited into State Police Services Fund).
- Require prospective officials to be supervised by an individual with a qualifying background clearance while checks are pending.
- Effective Date: July 1, 2026 (in engrossed version).
Who is affected
- Game officials applying for licensure, the Illinois High School Association (or similar licensing entity), schools and athletic organizers, and regional superintendents/education offices where administrative coordination is required.
Potential impacts / notes
- Aligns background screening for game officials with standards already used for school employees and substitutes.
- Introduces periodic re‑screening and supervision requirements pending clearance; administrative and fee costs borne by licensing entities or applicants (limited by statute).
If you want, I can:
- Produce a side‑by‑side comparison of the Arizona and Illinois texts,
- Extract the exact statutory language changes and proposed statute numbers,
- Prepare a short briefing on likely implementation issues (costs, data‑privacy, enforcement mechanics).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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