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HB 4312

Relating to a prohibition on the making of a campaign contribution by a person who is not a United States citizen.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Caroline Harris Davila and 3 co-sponsors

Texas bill bans campaign contributions from non-U.S. citizens to state and local candidates, adding state-level enforcement to existing federal restrictions on foreign political spending.

Left pending in committee
#elections--campaignfinancing(i0290) #aliens(i0032)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 4312

Legislative bill overview

HB 4312 would prohibit non-U.S. citizens from making campaign contributions in Texas elections. The bill establishes a legal barrier preventing foreign nationals and non-citizen residents from financially supporting political candidates or causes at the state and local levels.

Why is this important

Campaign finance regulations directly affect who can influence electoral outcomes and political messaging. This bill addresses concerns about foreign or non-citizen involvement in American electoral processes, which relates to election integrity debates and national security considerations that have gained prominence in recent political discourse.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement challenges: Determining citizenship status during donations requires verification mechanisms that may be burdensome for campaigns and could involve privacy concerns around citizenship documentation
  • Scope of "campaign contribution": Unclear whether the prohibition covers direct donations only, or extends to in-kind contributions, volunteer labor, or independent expenditures, creating potential ambiguity in application
  • Existing federal law: Federal law already prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to U.S. elections; this bill's state-level redundancy raises questions about whether it addresses a genuine gap or duplicates existing protections

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

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