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Committee hears campaign‑finance corrections bill as members question constitutionality of 50% out‑of‑state cap
Summary
Sponsor presented SB 423 as a campaign finance transparency cleanup focused on candidate committees and a 50% out‑of‑state contribution cap; committee members questioned whether the cap and donor definitions raise constitutional problems and sought clarification on how the bill defines a Georgia donor.
The committee heard a presentation on SB 423, described by its sponsor as a campaign‑finance transparency bill that narrows previous language to focus on campaign committees and candidates and includes a 50 percent cap on contributions from out‑of‑state sources.
The sponsor told the panel the bill removes earlier language (including independent committees) and adds a provision making intentional efforts to funnel illegal money into Georgia a felony. During questions, a member asked whether the 50 percent cap would likely be ruled unconstitutional. The sponsor said past related measures had survived court review and defended the state’s interest in protecting against outside interference.
Another lawmaker pressed the committee over the bill’s definition of a "Georgia" donor: the bill text references payment of state individual income taxes, and the questioner warned that relying on net tax paid could inadvertently bar contributors who receive refunds despite filing Georgia returns. The sponsor and other members debated whether filing versus actually paying income tax is dispositive under the bill’s language; one member suggested the bill as written could exclude people who file and receive refunds despite being state residents.
Sponsor and questioners exchanged on intent versus textual effect; the sponsor noted he cited Supreme Court precedent in defense of the state’s interest but agreed some members had a difference of opinion about the bill’s clarity. No formal vote on SB 423 was recorded in the transcript. The committee moved on after clarifying questions about donor definitions and constitutionality concerns.
