Campaigns and Campaign Finance

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not specify that only Republican Party primaries are affected if they control both houses of the legislature. The term 'statewide political party' is used instead.

Campaign Finance Rules for Tennessee

This bill prohibits out-of-state political groups from contributing to influence primary elections in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

• Adds a new rule that says out-of-state political campaign committees cannot make contributions, including in-kind contributions, to candidates or other political committees for the purpose of influencing primary elections in Tennessee.
• Defines 'primary election' as a state or local primary election held by a statewide political party if it controls both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly on July 1, 2025.

Who It Names or Affects

• Out-of-state political campaign committees that want to influence primary elections in Tennessee.
• Candidates running in Tennessee's primary elections and other political committees supporting them.

Terms To Know

Primary election

A state or local primary election held by a statewide political party if it controls both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly on July 1, 2025.

Statewide political party

The political party in control of both houses of the general assembly on July 1, 2025.

Limits and Unknowns

• Only applies to primary elections held by a statewide political party if it controls both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly on July 1, 2025.
• The rule takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 1040
By Bowling

HOUSE BILL 868
By Barrett

HB0868
002570
- 1 -

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

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, Chapter 10, Part 1, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) Notwithstanding another law, a political campaign committee that is
headquartered or domiciled in another state, country, or territory shall not make a
contribution, including an in-kind contribution:
(1) To a candidate in a primary election in this state;
(2) To another political campaign committee for purposes of engaging in
activity described in subdivision (a)(1) or (a)(3); or
(3) For any other purpose with the intent of influencing a primary election
in this state.
(b) As used in this section:
(1) "Primary election" means a state or local primary election held in this
state for a statewide political party; and
(2) "Statewide political party" means the statewide political party in
control of both houses of the general assembly on July 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.