Panel OKs bill barring foreign nationals from funding ballot questions, closes legal gap

House Bill 14-67, which would prohibit foreign nationals from making contributions in connection with public questions, was approved unanimously by the Senate Elections Committee on March 17, 2025. The committee recorded an 8-0 vote in favor and sent the bill to the full Senate.

Representative Wescow, sponsor of the bill, said federal law bars foreign nationals from contributing to political campaigns but that "under federal law, public questions do not actually qualify as a campaign," creating a gap. "This legislation would add that prohibition to Indiana's law," he said, describing the bill as a measure to "close the loophole" that allows foreign funds to reach ballot-question activity via intermediaries such as nonprofits.

The bill would require a political action committee or an individual making an independent contribution in…