HB 5526 - Dark Money and Disclosure

• Establishes new definitions for "independent expenditure political committees," "foreign-influenced entities," and related terms to regulate political spending and foreign involvement in Connecticut elections.

• Requires disclosure of covered transfers (donations to intermediary groups) of $5,000+ and names of top five funding sources when such entities make political advertisements or contributions exceeding $1,000.

• Prohibits foreign-influenced entities from making independent expenditures or contributions to independent expenditure political committees; requires due inquiry by chief executive or financial officers to verify compliance.

• Expands reporting requirements for independent expenditures, including detailed information about subvendors, consultants, and intermediaries involved in campaign spending; establishes penalties up to $20,000 or twice the expenditure amount for violations.

• Requires online platforms selling political advertisements to maintain public records of purchasers spending over $200/year and imposes enhanced due diligence policies on broadcasters to prevent foreign-influenced entities from purchasing political communications.