ballot measure campaigns; foreign money

Plain English Breakdown

Effective date of the bill is December 31, 2026.

Ban on Foreign Money in Ballot Measure Campaigns

This law stops foreign individuals or companies from giving money to influence ballot measures in Arizona elections.

What This Bill Does

• Adds a new rule that says foreign people and businesses cannot give money to try to change the outcome of ballot measures, questions, issues, or propositions in Arizona elections.
• Requires groups that report campaign finances to say they did not accept any foreign money meant to influence ballot measure outcomes.

Who It Names or Affects

• People and businesses from other countries who want to give money to support or oppose ballot measures in Arizona.
• Groups that report campaign finances for ballot measure campaigns in Arizona.

Terms To Know

Ballot Measure

A proposal put before voters on an election ballot, such as a referendum or initiative.

Foreign Contributions

Money or goods given by people or companies from other countries.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law only applies to money and goods that are meant to influence ballot measure outcomes, not general campaign spending.
• It is unclear how strictly this rule will be enforced or what the penalties might be for breaking it.

Official Summary Text

HB2802 - ballot measure campaigns; foreign money

Current Bill Text

HB2802 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
ballot measure campaigns; foreign money

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HB 2802

Introduced by

Representative
Volk

AN
ACT

amending title 16, chapter 6, article
1.2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 16-919; relating to campaign
contributions.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 16, chapter 6, article 1.2,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 16-919, to read:

START_STATUTE
16-919.

Foreign contributions prohibited; ballot measures; certification

A. A foreign corporation or
individual shall not give and an individual, entity or committee shall not
accept or use monies or in-kind goods or services that are contributed by
a foreign corporation or individual to influence the outcome of an election on
a ballot measure, question, issue or proposition, including an initiative or
referendum.

B. An individual, entity or committee
that is required to file campaign finance reports pursuant to section 16-926
shall certify under penalty of perjury in those reports that the individual,
entity or committee has not knowingly accepted or used monies or in-kind
goods or services in violation of subsection a of this section.
END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.
Effective date

Section 16-919, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act,
is effective from and after December 31, 2026.