Senate advances bill to restrict foreign influence on ballot measures; committee substitute perfected

Senate Substitute for S.B. 152, a bill that would bar foreign nationals from directly or indirectly participating in decision-making to influence ballot measures, advanced through the Senate on March 25 and was declared perfected and ordered printed.

Sponsor explanation and scope The sponsor told the Senate that federal law and a 1995 Supreme Court decision have been read to limit enforcement over expenditures for ballot measures (as distinct from candidate funding), and that foreign billionaires have exploited the resulting gaps by routing funds through U.S. committees. The sponsor cited the 16/30 Fund and a reported major donor, identifying an international donor as an example of the risk.

Key provisions in the substitute - Prohibits foreign nationals from directing, controlling or participating (directly or indirectly) in the decision-making of persons who influence ballot measures and from soliciting contributions for such activity. - Requires committees to file a treasurer’s certificate affirming no prohibited foreign funding for preliminary activities; requires donors or entities making expenditures to affirm they are not foreign nationals and to confirm they have not received more than a specified threshold from prohibited sources within the prior four years. - Lowers a reporting threshold from $100,000 in earlier drafts to $10,000 (floor language) to concentrate enforcement on substantial contributions while reducing administrative burdens on small donors. - Transfers initial investigative authority to the Attorney General’s office (from the Ethics Commission) because the AG has subpoena power and broader authority to pursue out-of-state actors.

Floor process and outcome The sponsor worked with colleagues, including the senator from Boone, to reconcile drafting points and enforcement language; the floor adopted a negotiated substitute. The committee on rules reported the substitute as perfected and the Senate declared the substitute perfected and ordered printed.

Why it matters The bill targets the use of private wealth organized through out-of-state committees to influence state constitutions and ballot questions. Supporters framed the measure as protecting state sovereignty and ballot integrity; sponsors noted public polling (cited on the floor) showing bipartisan voter support for banning foreign funding of ballot measures.

Next steps The perfected substitute proceeds through the legislative process for final floor action and potential enrolment. Sponsors said they had consulted the Attorney General’s office and Missouri Ethics Commission on enforcement design and would continue outreach to stakeholders.