Bill > HB0653

This bill makes several significant changes to campaign finance and ethics regulations in Tennessee. It introduces an annual registration fee of $150 for political campaign committees, increases certain fines, and modifies rules about campaign contributions and expenditures. The bill expands what campaign funds can be used for, including defending civil litigation and covering legal expenses related to criminal matters. It also requires annual ethics training for executive branch department commissioners and cabinet-level staff, to be provided by the Tennessee ethics commission. The bill adjusts contribution limits for political committees, with different limits for statewide versus local offices. Additionally, it changes transparency rules for ethics commission proceedings, making some records public while keeping others confidential, particularly around election periods. The bill also gives the Registry of Election Finance more investigative powers, allowing them to conduct investigations or audits of campaign finance disclosure reports. Most provisions will take effect immediately, with sections 2 and 11 (related to registration fees and ethics training) set to commence on January 1, 2026. These changes aim to enhance accountability, transparency, and regulatory oversight in Tennessee's political campaign and ethics processes.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0653&ga=114