Campaigns and Campaign Finance

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific penalties for violations, enforcement details, or the exact impact of the legislation.

Ban on Foreign and Partially-Foreign Funded Contributions to Tennessee Elections

This bill stops foreign organizations or U.S.-based groups that get money from abroad from giving any kind of support, including financial help and advertising, to political campaigns in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

• Bans foreign entities from making contributions, including in-kind contributions, to candidates or campaign committees.
• Prohibits domestic entities receiving funding from foreign sources from contributing to campaigns.
• Prevents the Senate and House speakers from accepting funds from foreign entities for election activities.
• Forbids the Secretary of State from approving funding from foreign entities for elections.

Who It Names or Affects

• Political candidates in Tennessee
• Campaign committees in Tennessee
• Foreign organizations trying to influence U.S. politics
• Domestic groups receiving money from abroad

Terms To Know

In-kind contributions

Support given to a campaign that is not cash, such as goods or services.

Secretary of State

A state government official responsible for overseeing elections and other administrative duties.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify penalties for violating the ban on foreign contributions.
• It is unclear how strictly this law will be enforced or what measures will be taken to ensure compliance.
• The bill's impact on current election funding practices and future campaigns remains uncertain.

Official Summary Text

This bill prohibits an organization or
entit
y that is based in a country other than the United States
,
or that is based in the United States and receives funding from entities that are based in countries other than the United States
,

from
mak
ing
contributions, including in-kind contributions, to a c
andidate or a political campaign committee. This prohibition includes the promotion of the campaign or election through advertising, paying campaign workers, or providing training for campaign or election staff.

This bill prohibits
the speaker of the se
nate and the speaker of the house of representatives
from
approv
ing
the acceptance of funding from an organization or entity that is based in a country other than the United States

or that is based in the United States and receives funding from entities th
at are based in countries other than the United States.

This bill prohibits the secretary of state from
approv
ing
the acceptance of funding from an organization or entity that is based in a country other than the United States or that is based in the Uni
ted States and receives funding from entities that are based in countries other than the United States.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 1047
By Bowling

HOUSE BILL 611
By Rudd

HB0611
002017
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2 and
Title 3, relative to elections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, Chapter 10, Part 3, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) An organization or entity that is based in a country other than the United
States or that is based in the United States and receives funding from entities that are
based in countries other than the United States shall not make contributions, including
in-kind contributions, to a candidate or a political campaign committee. This prohibition
includes the promotion of the campaign or election through advertising, paying campaign
workers, or providing training for campaign or election staff.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 2-11-114(a), is amended by
designating the existing language as subdivision (1) and adding the following as a new
subdivision:
(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a)(1), the speaker of the senate and the
speaker of the house of representatives shall not approve the acceptance of funding
from an organization or entity that is based in a country other than the United States or
that is based in the United States and receives funding from entities that are based in
countries other than the United States.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 2-12-118(a), is amended by
designating the existing language as subdivision (1) and adding the following as a new
subdivision:

- 2 - 002017

(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a)(1), the secretary of state or the secretary's
designee shall not approve the acceptance of funding from an organization or entity that
is based in a country other than the United States or that is based in the United States
and receives funding from entities that are based in countries other than the United
States.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.