HCR2056 is a resolution proposing an amendment to the Arizona Constitution relating to elections. It seeks voter approval to prohibit the use of monies or in-kind goods or services donated by a foreign source for election administration purposes. Additionally, it prohibits any person, entity, or committee from accepting or using such foreign contributions to influence the outcome of a ballot measure. The resolution outlines that the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 already prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to election-related activities, but spending on ballot initiatives is generally outside the purview of the Act. In 2021, Arizona legislation was enacted to prevent the state or any public body that conducts elections from receiving or spending private monies for election purposes, including voter registration.

The resolution includes several provisions, such as requiring certification under penalty of perjury that no foreign monies or in-kind goods or services have been accepted or used for influencing ballot measures or election administration. It also mandates that government entities in Arizona cannot use foreign donations for election administration and requires vendors providing election services to certify they are not recipients of such donations. The Secretary of State (SOS) is tasked with maintaining records of these certifications and posting them on the SOS's website. Violations of these provisions are classified as a class 1 misdemeanor, and the resolution allows for enforcement actions by the Attorney General and civil actions by qualified electors or state officers. The resolution also defines relevant terms, such as "person" and "foreign nongovernmental source," and excludes federally recognized sovereign tribal nations from the definition of foreign sources. If approved by voters and proclaimed by the Governor, the resolution will become effective.

Statutes affected:
Senate Engrossed Version: 16-407.04, 16-407.05, 16-919, 16-901