Prohibits contributions or donations to be made by hostile foreign nations in connection with a state or local election; makes a knowing violation of such provisions a class A felony, subject to an additional civil penalty equal to the contribution or donation amount plus a fine of up to ten thousand dollars.
Summary
This bill amends New York election law to prohibit hostile foreign nations from making contributions, donations, expenditures, or promises of value in connection with state or local elections. It defines “hostile foreign nation” to include Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, as well as their governmental entities and affiliated organizations with operational ties to those nations.
The bill also makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly solicit, accept, receive, or use such prohibited foreign contributions, or to pass those funds along for election-related purposes. In addition to banning direct and indirect election spending by hostile foreign nations, the bill reaches political committees, party committees, independent expenditure committees, and political communications.
Impact
The bill would add a new section to the Election Law and expand the law’s treatment of foreign influence in state and local elections. It creates a specific statutory definition of “hostile foreign nation,” establishes new prohibitions on foreign contributions and election-related spending, and authorizes enforcement by the state board of elections chief enforcement counsel. Violations would be treated as a class A felony and could also trigger a civil penalty equal to the amount of the contribution or donation plus up to $10,000.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a strong election-integrity and anti-foreign-interference proposal. The inclusion of severe criminal and civil penalties suggests a punitive approach intended to deter foreign influence in New York elections. No contrary viewpoints are documented in the supplied record.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are the breadth of the definition of “hostile foreign nation,” which names specific countries and also covers entities with “operational ties,” and the severity of the penalties, including class A felony treatment. Another possible issue is the law’s reach to indirect contributions, solicitations, and downstream use of funds, which could raise enforcement and proof questions. No specific objections or supporters are recorded in the provided committee or vote history.
Same As
Prohibits contributions or donations to be made by hostile foreign nations in connection with a state or local election; makes a knowing violation of such provisions a class A felony, subject to an additional civil penalty equal to the contribution or donation amount plus a fine of up to ten thousand dollars.