Plain English Breakdown
The bill summary does not provide specific details about how exceptions for U.S. citizens living abroad will be verified.
Campaign Contributions from Outside the U.S.
This law stops campaign committees, political action groups, and parties from accepting credit card donations if the billing address is outside the United States, with some exceptions for Americans living abroad.
What This Bill Does
- Prohibits principal campaign committees, political action committees, and political parties from accepting contributions made via a credit card unless the card verification code is provided to the committee or party by the contributor at the time of contributing and the billing address of the card is in the United States, subject to exceptions for U.S. citizens living abroad.
- Requires these groups to retain contributors' names and addresses when they make donations under this law.
- Imposes penalties on credit card processors who handle contributions without verifying the card's verification code or zip code.
Who It Names or Affects
- Campaign committees, political action committees, and political parties in Alabama.
- Credit card processors that deal with campaign contributions.
- People trying to donate to campaigns using a credit card from outside the U.S.
Terms To Know
- Principal Campaign Committee
- A main group supporting or opposing a candidate for office.
- Political Action Committee (PAC)
- An organization that collects and spends money to support political candidates or causes.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law does not specify how exceptions will be verified for U.S. citizens living abroad.
- It is unclear what happens if a processor fails to comply with the verification requirements.