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Bill > SB11
PA SB11
PA SB11In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary ofthe Commonwealth; in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions, for organization of political committees, treasurer and assistant treasurer and records of candidate and committees, for registration and for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, providing for limitations on certain contributions, further providing for residual funds, for late filing f
summary
Introduced
08/25/2025
08/25/2025
In Committee
08/25/2025
08/25/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), entitled "An act concerning elections, including general, municipal, special and primary elections, the nomination of candidates, primary and election expenses and election contests; creating and defining membership of county boards of elections; imposing duties upon the Secretary of the Commonwealth, courts, county boards of elections, county commissioners; imposing penalties for violation of the act, and codifying, revising and consolidating the laws relating thereto; and repealing certain acts and parts of acts relating to elections," in the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions, for organization of political committees, treasurer and assistant treasurer and records of candidate and committees, for registration and for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, providing for limitations on certain contributions, further providing for residual funds, for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations or unincorporated associations, for advertising and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth and providing for independent expenditures and for independent expenditure evaluation; and providing for corporate political accountability. The General Assembly finds and declares that: (1) The Commonwealth has a compelling governmental interest to protect the integrity of the government from actual corruption or the appearance of corruption. (2) When people, associations or other entities, including foreign corporations and foreign-influenced corporations, provide unlimited monetary support for elected government officials or candidates who are seeking governmental offices, there arises the appearance of corruption. (3) The appearance of corruption and actual corruption can be prevented by requiring transparency and regulating the contributions that can be made to elected government officials and candidates who are seeking governmental offices.
AI Summary
This bill proposes significant changes to campaign finance and corporate political activities in Pennsylvania, with a focus on increasing transparency, limiting contributions, and providing more oversight of political spending. The legislation introduces new requirements for political committees, candidates, and corporations regarding campaign contributions, reporting, and shareholder authorization. Key provisions include establishing contribution limits for individuals and political action committees (ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 depending on the office), mandating detailed reporting of political expenditures, and creating a new framework for corporate political accountability. Corporations would now be required to obtain shareholder approval for political spending over $10,000, provide quarterly reports on political activities, and ensure board-level authorization for political contributions. The bill also addresses concerns about foreign-influenced corporations by restricting their ability to make independent expenditures and requiring specific disclosures. Additionally, the legislation increases late filing fees for campaign reports, expands definitions of political activities and expenditures, and requires the Department of State to create a comprehensive, searchable database to track implementation of these new rules. The bill aims to prevent corruption, increase transparency in political financing, and give shareholders more control over corporate political spending, with implementation set to begin on January 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (12)
Jay Costa (D)*,
Maria Collett (D),
Carolyn Comitta (D),
Wayne Fontana (D),
Art Haywood (D),
John Kane (D),
Tim Kearney (D),
Nickolas Pisciottano (D),
Steve Santarsiero (D),
Nikil Saval (D),
Judy Schwank (D),
Tina Tartaglione (D),
Last Action
Referred to State Government (on 08/25/2025)
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