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WI SB520
WI SB520Expressly prohibiting a foreign national from making a contribution to a referendum committee.
summary
Introduced
10/09/2025
10/09/2025
In Committee
10/09/2025
10/09/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Current law provides that no person may make or accept a contribution, make a disbursement, make an expenditure, or incur an obligation in violation of the federal law that prohibits a foreign national from making a contribution in connection with any federal, state, or local election. This bill provides, in addition, that no foreign national may make a contribution to a referendum committee and no referendum committee may accept a contribution from a foreign national. A recent decision by the Federal Election Commission allowed a foreign national to make a contribution to a ballot initiative committee because the FEC determined that a ballot initiative is not an XelectionY for purposes of the federal law prohibiting contributions from foreign nationals.
AI Summary
This bill amends Wisconsin state law to explicitly prohibit foreign nationals from making contributions to referendum committees and prevent referendum committees from accepting contributions from foreign nationals. The bill addresses a recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) decision that allowed foreign nationals to contribute to ballot initiative committees by arguing that such initiatives were not technically "elections" under federal contribution restrictions. The new provision defines "foreign national" by referencing existing federal regulations (11 CFR 110.20(a)(3) and 52 USC 30121(b)), which typically mean individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, including foreign governments, foreign political parties, and foreign corporations. By creating this explicit prohibition, the bill aims to close a potential legal loophole and ensure that foreign entities cannot financially influence state referendum processes, thereby protecting the integrity of Wisconsin's democratic decision-making mechanisms.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (32)
Tim Carpenter (D)*,
Dianne Hesselbein (D)*,
Sarah Keyeski (D)*,
Chris Larson (D)*,
Brad Pfaff (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Kelda Roys (D)*,
Jeff Smith (D)*,
Mark Spreitzer (D)*,
Jamie Wall (D)*,
Bob Wirch (D)*,
Clint Anderson (D),
Deb Andraca (D),
Margaret Arney (D),
Mike Bare (D),
Brienne Brown (D),
Ryan Clancy (D),
Ben DeSmidt (D),
Jodene Emerson (D),
Joan Fitzgerald (D),
Russell Goodwin (D),
Alex Joers (D),
Tara Johnson (D),
Darrin Madison (D),
Vincent Miresse (D),
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D),
Lori Palmeri (D),
Ann Roe (D),
Christine Sinicki (D),
Lee Snodgrass (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Randy Udell (D),
Last Action
Representative J. Jacobson added as a cosponsor (on 02/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb520 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB520.pdf |
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