Bill

Bill > HB2670


VA HB2670

VA HB2670
Campaign finance; campaign required tax-exempt organization disclosure, report, civil penalties.


summary

Introduced
01/15/2025
In Committee
01/24/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/22/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Campaign finance; campaign required tax-exempt organization disclosure; work group; report; civil penalties. Establishes campaign finance reporting requirements for tax-exempt organizations making contributions or independent expenditures for the purpose of advocating for the election or defeat of a clearly identified Virginia candidate. Committees are prohibited from accepting contributions from tax-exempt organizations that do not file required campaign finance disclosure reports. Civil penalties for violations of the limits established by the bill may equal up to four times the excess contribution amounts. The bill also requires electronically filed independent expenditure reports to be made publicly available within 48 hours of being filed and to be entered into a publicly available campaign finance database accessible through the Internet. Finally, the bill requires that the Chair of the House Privileges and Elections Committee and the Chair of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee convene a work group to evaluate campaign finance contribution limits and disclosure requirements among the various states and at the federal level and to report their findings by November 30, 2025.

AI Summary

This bill establishes comprehensive campaign finance reporting requirements for tax-exempt organizations involved in Virginia elections. The bill requires tax-exempt organizations (those with 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) status) to submit detailed statements of organization and file regular campaign finance reports if they make contributions or independent expenditures aimed at influencing state elections. Specifically, organizations must disclose donors who contribute over $100, report large donations of $10,000 or more within three business days, and file multiple reports throughout the year at specified intervals. Candidates and political committees are prohibited from accepting contributions from tax-exempt organizations that have not filed the required reports. The bill imposes significant civil penalties for non-compliance, with potential fines up to four times the amount of an improper contribution. Additionally, the bill requires that all independent expenditure and tax-exempt organization reports be made publicly available on the State Board of Elections' website within 48 hours of submission. The legislation also mandates the creation of a work group to evaluate campaign finance contribution limits and disclosure requirements across different states, with a report due by November 30, 2025. The goal is to increase transparency in campaign financing and prevent potential misuse of tax-exempt organizations in electoral processes.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Left in Appropriations (on 02/04/2025)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2670
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2670/text/HB2670H1
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2670) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1032295.PDF
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Impact statement from VCSC (HB2670) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1021424.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2670/text/HB2670
Loading...