Utah legislation · 2025 General Session
Utah HB393: Banning Foreign Funding in Ballot Propositions and Elections
Status: Failed, March 7, 2025
This bill establishes provisions related to foreign financial influence in ballot propositions and elections.
What the bill says
An act done with the intent or in a way to influence or intend to influence, directly or indirectly, any person to refrain from voting or to vote for or against: (a) a candidate for public office at any caucus, political convention, primary, or election; or (b) a judge standing for retention at any election. (8) "Proposed initiative" means an initiative proposed in an application filed under Section 20A-7-202 or 20A-7-502 . (9) "Proposed referendum" means a referendum proposed in an application filed under Section 20A-7-302 or 20A-7-602 . (10) "Restricted foreign entity" means the same as that.
From the amended text:
an act done with the intent or in a way to influence or intend to influence, directly or indirectly, any person to refrain from voting or to vote for or against: (a) a candidate for public office at any caucus, political convention, primary, or election; or (b) a judge standing for retention at any election. (8) "Proposed initiative" means an initiative proposed in an application filed under Section 20A-7-202 or 20A-7-502 . (9) "Proposed referendum" means a referendum proposed in an application filed under Section 20A-7-302 or 20A-7-602 . (10) "Restricted foreign entity" means the same as that term is defined in Subsection 63G-6a-121 (1)(c). Section 12, Section 20A-11-1802 is enacted to read: 20A-11-1802. Campaign financing by foreign national prohibited -- Penalties. (1) A foreign national may not make or attempt to make, directly or indirectly, any of the following: (a) a campaign contribution; (b) a political issues contribution; or (c) an independent expenditure. (2) (a) A filing entity may not knowingly solicit, accept, or receive a campaign contribution or political issues contribution from a foreign national. (b) A person may not knowingly aid or facilitate a violation of Subsection (1) . (3) (a) A filing entity that believes or has reason to believe that the filing entity received a campaign contribution or political issues contribution from a foreign national …