When a political campaign committee is created to support or oppose a measure, this bill requires the treasurer of the committee to file with the registry of election finance an accompanying certification that preliminary activity was not funded by prohibited sources, whether directly or indirectly. After a political campaign committee is created to support or oppose a measure, the committee must not knowingly or willfully receive, solicit, or accept contributions or expenditures from a prohibited source, whether directly or indirectly. A political campaign committee created to support or oppose a measure, and a person who makes an independent expenditure in support of or in opposition to such a committee, must keep records of any contribution or expenditure and retain such records for at least two years after the date of the election to which the records refer. This bill provides that when a political campaign committee created to support or oppose a measure receives a contribution, the treasurer must obtain from the donor an affirmation that the donor is not a foreign national and has not knowingly or willfully accepted funds aggregating in excess of $100,000 from prohibited sources within the four-year period immediately preceding the date the contribution is made. This bill additionally provides that within 48 hours of making an independent expenditure supporting or opposing a measure, the person making the expenditure must certify to the registry of election finance that the person has not knowingly or willfully accepted funds aggregating in excess of $100,000 from prohibited sources within the four-year period immediately preceding the date the expenditure is made and that it will not do so through the remainder of the calendar year in which the measure will appear on the ballot. FOREIGN INFLUENCE This bill prohibits a foreign national from directing, dictating, controlling, or directly or indirectly participating in the decision-making process of any person with regard to that person's activities to influence a measure, such as decisions concerning the making of contributions or expenditures to influence a measure. Further, a foreign national must not solicit, directly, or indirectly, the making of a donation, contribution, or expenditure by another person to influence a measure. ELECTION FINANCE REGISTRY This bill authorizes the registry of election finance to bring a civil action to enforce this bill. In all such actions, the burden of proof is on the registry of election finance. Prior to discovery, the court must set a hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe that a political campaign committee or person has violated this bill. If, after such hearing, the court determines:  That no probable cause exists to believe that a violation has occurred, then the court must enter an order of dismissal with prejudice.  That probable cause exists to believe that a violation has occurred, then the court must enter an order to that effect and the case should proceed to trial on an expedited basis. Subject to this bill, the person alleged to have violated this bill may, at a time to be determined by the court prior to the scheduling of trial, present evidence sufficient to rebut the probable cause finding by making an ex parte presentation of records to the court for an in camera review. Additionally, a losing party has the right to an interlocutory expedited appeal and a stay of proceedings in the trial court. Refund Within 30 days of a finding that a political campaign committee has violated this bill, this bill requires the committee to refund the contribution to the original contributor. If the finding is appealed, the contribution must be placed in escrow, after which the funds must be disbursed in accordance with the final order. If the political campaign committee is unable to return the funds, then the directors, officers, or executive members of the committee are liable in their personal capacity, jointly and severally, for the refund. Within 30 days of a finding that a person making an independent expenditure has violated this bill, this bill requires the entity making the independent expenditure to disgorge to the registry of election finance funds in an amount equal to the reported cost of the independent expenditure. If the person is unable to disgorge the requisite funds, then the person, or the directors, officers, or executive members of the person if the person is an entity, are liable in their personal capacities, jointly and severally, for the payment of the amount due. If the finding is appealed, the funds subject to disgorgement must be placed in escrow, after which they must be disbursed in accordance with the final order. Award for the registry This bill provides that if the registry of election finance prevails in an action brought pursuant to the above provisions, then the court must award (i) injunctive relief sufficient to prevent the political campaign committee or person from violating this bill or engaging in acts that aid or abet violations and (ii) statutory damages up to twice the amount of the prohibited contribution or expenditure. In addition to such penalties and any other remedies provided by law, if the court finds a knowing or willful violation, the court may assess a penalty of up to three times the statutory damages. LAWFUL DONORS This bill provides that lawful donors to a tax-exempt organization possess a right of privacy in their donations. An investigation of an alleged violation or a lawful court order in an action brought under this bill must occur in a manner that shields the identity of lawful donors. A state or local governmental entity, court, or officer of the court must not collect or require the submission of information on the identity of any donor to a tax-exempt organization other than those directly related to an alleged violation. This bill prohibits a state or local governmental entity, court, or officer of the court from disclosing to the public, or another government official not directly involved in the investigation, information revealing the identity of any donor to a tax-exempt organization, unless the information is regarding the identity of a donor that engaged in conduct prohibited by this bill after a final determination has been made that the donor violated this bill. Knowing or willful violations constitute a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a sentence of imprisonment not greater than 11 months, 29 days, or a fine not to exceed $2,500, or both.