Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Keeping Foreign Money out of Ballot Measures Act of 2023”.
Keeping Foreign Money out of Ballot Measures Act of 2023
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit foreign nationals from making contributions in connection with a State or local ballot initiative or referendum.
Sec. 2 Prohibition on contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with ballot initiatives and referenda
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)).”
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:
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.