Bill > AB953

This bill expands existing California law to prohibit foreign nationals from making political contributions, expenditures, or independent expenditures related to state or local ballot measures or elections. The bill defines a "foreign national" as a person who is not a U.S. citizen and not a lawfully admitted permanent resident, with an exception for individuals granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The legislation makes it illegal for any person or committee to solicit or accept contributions from foreign nationals for these political purposes, and maintains that violations will be considered a misdemeanor with a fine equal to the amount of the contribution or expenditure. The bill is grounded in the principle that political participation in U.S. elections should be limited to citizens and permanent legal residents, aligning with existing federal restrictions on foreign involvement in elections. By expanding the scope of existing law, the bill creates a state-mandated local program, but includes a provision that no reimbursement will be required for implementing these new restrictions. The legislation declares that it furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 and aims to safeguard the integrity of state and local elections from foreign influence.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB953