This bill amends existing laws regarding political contributions and expenditures, specifically targeting foreign nationals. It prohibits foreign nationals from making political contributions during state election cycles and introduces a new requirement for political committees to affirm compliance with specific statutes (RSA 664:4, VI and RSA 664:5, III) when filing reports with the Secretary of State. Additionally, if a political committee or foreign national willfully violates these provisions, they are required to pay the amount of the relevant contribution or expenditure, plus interest, to the Secretary of State.

The bill also expands the applicability of certain provisions to include city, town, school district, and village district elections, while clarifying definitions related to political measures. Notably, it inserts a new paragraph in RSA 664:4 that explicitly prohibits contributions from foreign nationals and modifies the introductory paragraph of RSA 664:5 to encompass both tangible and intangible expenditures. The enforcement section (RSA 664:21) is updated to hold both political committees and foreign nationals accountable for violations, with provisions for joint liability among responsible parties. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
As Amended by the House: 664:1, 664:2, 664:4, 664:21