H.B. 641
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 17, 2023
SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40256-LU-107
Short Title: No Soliciting Certain Funds/Elections Boards. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Johnson.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE PRIVATE FUNDING OF ELECTIONS.
3 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
4 SECTION 1. Article 3 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes is amended by adding
5 a new section to read:
6 "§ 163-29. Solicitation or acceptance of private funds for election purposes prohibited.
7 (a) As used in this section, the following terms mean:
8 (1) Election. – Each election held to nominate or elect a candidate to any public
9 office.
10 (2) Person. – Any individual, proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture,
11 syndicate, labor union, business trust, company, association, committee,
12 corporation, whether or not operated for profit, or any other organization or
13 group of persons acting in concert.
14 (3) Public funds. – Funds derived from taxes, fees, and other sources of public
15 revenue lawfully appropriated by the General Assembly.
16 (b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the State Board of Elections
17 shall not solicit, take, or otherwise accept from any person any contribution, donation, or anything
18 else of value for purposes of conducting State or local elections in this State. All costs and
19 expenses relating to elections shall be paid for with public funds. A violation of this section is a
20 Class I felony."
21 SECTION 2. Article 4 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes is amended by adding
22 a new section to read:
23 "§ 163-37.2. Solicitation or acceptance of private funds for election purposes prohibited.
24 Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no county board of commissioners,
25 elected municipal officials, or county board of elections shall solicit, take, or otherwise accept
26 from any person any contribution, donation, or anything else of value for purposes of conducting
27 State or local elections in this State. All costs and expenses relating to elections shall be paid for
28 with public funds. For purposes of this section, the terms "election," "person," and "public funds"
29 shall have the same meanings as defined in G.S. 163-29(a). A violation of this section is a Class
30 I felony."
31 SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law.
*DRH40256-LU-107*