AZ SB1431

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 16-917 to add criminal penalties for violations related to independent expenditures in campaign finance.

Requires political committees, corporations, limited liability companies, and labor organizations making independent expenditures for campaign literature or advertisements within 60 days of an election to send copies to affected candidates within 24 hours of submission for distribution.

Establishes that expenditures not meeting the definition of independent expenditure constitute in-kind contributions to candidates, subject to existing civil penalties.

Creates a new Class 5 felony offense for any person who knowingly makes a purported independent expenditure of $25,000 or more that does not meet the legal definition of independent expenditure.

Creates a new Class 5 felony offense for any person who knowingly receives an in-kind contribution of a purported independent expenditure of $25,000 or more that does not meet the legal definition of independent expenditure.