Bill > HB45

This bill comprehensively amends Kentucky campaign finance laws to establish new regulations and protections for political issues committees and independent expenditures. The bill defines several key terms, including "foreign national" and "ballot measure," and creates stringent reporting and certification requirements for political committees and donors. Specifically, the bill prohibits foreign nationals from making donations, contributions, or expenditures to influence ballot measures, and establishes a detailed process for investigating potential violations. Political issues committees must now certify that they have not knowingly accepted contributions from prohibited sources and must retain detailed records of contributions and expenditures for six years. The bill also introduces strong privacy protections for donors to tax-exempt organizations, limiting government entities' ability to collect or disclose donor information. Additionally, the bill mandates clear "paid for by" disclosures on political advertisements advocating for or against ballot measures and establishes significant penalties for violations, including potential fines, disgorgement of funds, and personal liability for committee directors and officers. The legislation aims to increase transparency in campaign finance while protecting donor privacy and preventing foreign interference in local political processes.

Government Affairs

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/hb45.html