AB 83 Summary

• Expands the Political Reform Act of 1974 to prohibit contributions, expenditures, and independent expenditures by foreign-influenced business entities in connection with California state and local elections and ballot measures.

• Defines a foreign-influenced business entity as one where a single foreign principal owns 1% or more of equity/voting shares, two or more foreign principals own 5% or more in aggregate, or foreign principals participate in decisionmaking regarding campaign contributions or expenditures.

• Requires business entities making contributions or expenditures to file a statement of certification signed by the chief executive officer under penalty of perjury, within seven days, avowing the entity was not foreign-influenced on the date of the contribution or expenditure.

• Prohibits persons and committees from using funds received from a business entity for political contributions or expenditures unless they receive a copy of the entity's statement of certification.

• Establishes that violations are misdemeanors with fines equal to the amount contributed or expended; does not apply to lawfully admitted permanent residents or sponsored committees under existing law.