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Committee advances bill barring foreign-national spending on state and local referenda
Summary
Chairman Chuck Martin presented HB963 to bar foreign-national financial participation in state referenda and local bond measures; members asked whether documented interference exists in Georgia; the committee passed the bill by voice vote.
Chairman Chuck Martin presented House Bill 963, which he said would apply the same restrictions that federal law places on federal elections to state referenda and local bond issues, with the stated purpose of preventing foreign nationals from financially participating in referenda. Martin clarified that lawful permanent residents could participate financially while they remain ineligible to vote.
Representative Sanchez asked whether the bill specifically prevents a group such as APAC from spending on referendums if funds came from foreign nationals; Martin replied that if the money came from foreign nationals, it would be covered. Sanchez asked if there were documented cases of foreign interference in Georgia referenda; Martin said the law is not clear and that monitoring is lacking so he could not say whether documented cases exist.
After no further questions, the committee moved to a voice vote; the chair recorded the motion carries and adjourned the meeting.
