This initiated bill makes the following changes to the election laws.
1. It prohibits a foreign government-influenced entity from making, directly or indirectly, a contribution, expenditure, independent expenditure, electioneering communication or any other donation or disbursement of funds to influence the nomination or election of a candidate or the initiation or approval of a referendum. It prohibits a person from knowingly or recklessly providing substantial assistance, with or without compensation, in the making of an expenditure, independent expenditure, electioneering communication or disbursement in violation of this prohibition. It prohibits a person from knowingly soliciting, accepting or receiving a contribution or donation in violation of this prohibition and prohibits a person from knowingly or recklessly providing substantial assistance, with or without compensation, in the making, solicitation, acceptance or receipt of a contribution or donation in violation of this prohibition.
2. It prohibits a person from structuring or attempting to structure a solicitation, contribution, expenditure, independent expenditure, electioneering communication, donation, disbursement or other transaction to evade the prohibitions and requirements in the initiated bill.
3. It requires, whenever a foreign government-influenced entity disburses funds to finance a public communication to influence the public or government officials on issues of state or local policy or foreign relations, that the communication include a clear and conspicuous statement naming the foreign government-influenced entity as a sponsor of the communication.
4. It directs each television or radio broadcasting station, provider of cable or satellite television, print news outlet and Internet platform to establish due diligence policies to prevent the distribution of communications for which foreign government-influenced entities have made prohibited expenditures, independent expenditures, electioneering
43 communications or disbursements and further directs an Internet platform to, upon
44 discovery, immediately remove any such communications from its platform.
5. It provides that the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices may assess a penalty of not more than $5,000 or double the amount of the contribution, expenditure, independent expenditure, electioneering communication, donation or disbursement involved in the violation, whichever is greater, for a violation of the initiated bill.
6. The initiated bill also calls on each member of Maine's Congressional Delegation to actively support and promote an effective anticorruption amendment to the United States Constitution to reaffirm the power of citizens through their government to regulate the raising and spending of money in elections.
7. For 7 consecutive years beginning July 31, 2023, the initiated bill requires the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices to issue a report, following public comment, identifying anticorruption amendment proposals introduced in Congress and the members of Maine's Congressional Delegation sponsoring such proposals. Approved: 06/18/23
131st MAINE LEGISLATURE LD 1610 LR 2470(01) An Act to Prohibit Campaign Spending by Foreign Governments and Promote an Anticorruption Amendment to the United States Constitution Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill Initiated Bill Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs Fiscal Note Required: Yes Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement Current biennium cost increase - General Fund Minor revenue increase - General Fund Minor revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements Creates a Class C crime. The current average cost of incarcerating one individual for a single year is $55,203. The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new felony cases filed in the court system does not require additional funding. The collection of additional fines will increase General Fund or other dedicated revenue by minor amounts. Fiscal Detail and Notes Any additional costs to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices from the provisions of this bill are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. LR2470(01) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1