118 HR 4484 IH: Keeping Foreign Money out of Ballot Measures Act of 2023 U.S. House of Representatives 2023-07-06 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4484IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 6, 2023Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself and Mr. Golden of Maine) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit foreign nationals from making contributions in connection with a State or local ballot initiative or referendum.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Keeping Foreign Money out of Ballot Measures Act of 2023.

2.

Prohibition on contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with ballot initiatives and referenda

(a)

In general

Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

612.

Foreign nationals making certain political contributions

(a)

Prohibition

It shall be unlawful for a foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make a contribution as such term is defined in section 301(8)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(8)(A)) or donation of money or other thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation, in connection with a State or local ballot initiative or referendum.(b)

Penalty

Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be fined not more than the greater of $10,000 or 300 percent of the amount of the contribution or value of the donation of money or other thing of value made by the person, imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both.(c)

Foreign national defined

In this section, the term foreign national has the meaning given such term in section 319(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30121(b)).

.(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:612. Foreign nationals making certain political contributions..(c)

Effective Date

The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to contributions and donations made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.