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SJ0006 • 2023

Political expenditures.

A JOINT RESOLUTION requesting Congress to propose a constitutional amendment identifying the source of political contributions as specified.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Corporations
Last action
2023-01-24
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2023

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the amendment would work or what limitations it might impose on non-natural persons.

Request for Constitutional Amendment on Political Contributions

This resolution asks Congress to propose a constitutional amendment that would require identifying who gives money to political campaigns.

What This Bill Does

  • Asks the U.S. Congress to suggest a new rule in the Constitution about political spending.
  • Wants this new rule to make it clear where campaign money comes from.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The U.S. Congress and state legislatures
  • Political candidates and campaign organizations

Terms To Know

Constitutional amendment
A change to the main rules of a country or organization, in this case, the United States Constitution.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The resolution did not pass, so it does not change any laws.
  • It only suggests a new rule; Congress would need to agree before anything changes.
  • Details about how the amendment would work were not provided in this document.

Bill History

  1. 2023-01-24 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:S Bill Reconsideration Motion Failed by Roll Call 9-22-0-0-0

  2. 2023-01-24 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Failed 12-18-1-0-0

  3. 2023-01-20 Senate

    S 2nd Reading:Passed

  4. 2023-01-19 Senate

    S COW:Passed

  5. 2023-01-19 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  6. 2023-01-19 Senate

    S07 - Corporations:Recommend Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0

  7. 2023-01-16 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S07 - Corporations

  8. 2023-01-16 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  9. 2023-01-13 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
23LSO-0132
2023
State of Wyoming
23LSO-0132
Numbered
2.0

Senate JOINT RESOLUTION NO. SJ0006

Political expenditures.

Sponsored by: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Interim Committee

A JOINT RESOLUTION

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION requesting Congress to propose a constitutional amendment identifying the source of political contributions as specified.

WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that Congress and the states lack authority to ban independent corporate expenditures to political campaigns for public office, relying on the concept that the spending of money to elect a candidate is protected speech; and

WHEREAS, this United States Supreme Court precedent has allowed the creation of super political action committees in campaigns for public office, which have made campaign expenditures whose source cannot be readily traced to natural persons in unprecedented amounts; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Wyoming has grave concerns that corporations have abilities not enjoyed by natural persons including perpetual life and enhanced accumulation of assets, which may enable corporations to financially overwhelm individual natural persons in the political process; and

WHEREAS, Congress, state legislatures and local legislative bodies should have the authority to require the identification of the natural person sources of campaign expenditures and to limit expenditures by entities that are not natural persons; and

WHEREAS, a constitutional amendment would control over United States Supreme Court precedent interpreting the United States Constitution.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:

Section 1.

That the Legislature of the State of Wyoming respectfully urges the Congress of the United States to propose and send to the states for ratification an amendment to the United States Constitution to allow the public identification of the source of political contributions or expenditures for or against any candidate and to limit or prohibit corporations and other entities that are not natural persons from making campaign contributions for or against any candidate. Political expenditures by organizations that are comprised of natural persons and that publicly identify their members and donors should not be restricted.

Section 2.

That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress and to the Wyoming Congressional Delegation.

(END)

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SJ0006