An Act to amend 11.1112 of the statutes; Relating to: contributions by corporations, cooperative associations, labor organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes.
Summary
AB1200 would change Wisconsin campaign finance law by prohibiting corporations, cooperative associations, labor organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes from making contributions to a segregated fund established and administered by a political party or legislative campaign committee. Under current law, these entities may contribute up to $12,000 in the aggregate per calendar year to such segregated funds, so the bill would eliminate that contribution option entirely.
The bill amends s. 11.1112 of the statutes, which governs restrictions on contributions by corporations, cooperatives, labor organizations, and tribes. It leaves intact the broader prohibition on these entities contributing directly to most committees, while specifically narrowing the exception that currently allows contributions to segregated funds. In practical terms, political parties and legislative campaign committees would lose a source of funding from these organizational donors if the bill were enacted.
Impact
AB1200 would tighten Wisconsin’s campaign finance restrictions by removing the statutory allowance for certain business, labor, and tribal entities to give to segregated funds associated with political parties and legislative campaign committees. It would amend s. 11.1112 and effectively reduce the fundraising options available to those committees, while increasing the limits on organizational political spending restrictions under state law. The bill would affect corporations, cooperative associations, labor organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes, as well as the political committees that currently receive these contributions.
Sentiment
The available record shows little debate or recorded voting activity, so there is no detailed committee sentiment to assess. Based on the bill’s sponsor list and subject matter, the proposal appears to have support from lawmakers interested in stricter campaign finance rules and limiting organizational influence in party and legislative fundraising. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating it did not advance to enactment.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the balance between campaign finance regulation and the ability of organized interests to participate in the political process through segregated funds. Supporters would view the bill as reducing the influence of corporations, labor organizations, cooperatives, and tribes in party fundraising, while opponents would likely argue it restricts lawful political participation and fundraising by entities already subject to contribution limits. Because there were no committee transcripts or votes provided, the specific arguments of individual stakeholders are not documented in the record supplied.
Crossfiled
An Act to amend 11.1112 of the statutes; Relating to: contributions by corporations, cooperative associations, labor organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes.