Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override the governors veto and pass a bill that prohibits campaign spending by foreign governments and establishes an anti-corruption amendment to the state constitution.

Highlights:

• Defines terms related Elections in the state of Maine (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits a foreign government from making indirectly or directly a contribution, expenditure or other means for support to influence the nomination of a candidate or the approval of a referendum (Sec. 2). 

• Prohibits individuals from seeking out donations or contributions from foreign governments in Maine (Sec. 3). 

• Specifies that a person may not solicit contributions for another person or campaign from a foreign government (Sec. 4)

• Specifies that a person may not assist in the evasion of requirements (Sec. 5). 

• Specifies that any foreign government sponsored communication not banned by this act must contain the words “Sponsored by” next to the name of the foreign government that sponsored the communication (Sec. 6). 

• Requires each media company to establish due diligence practices for dealing with communications from foreign governments  (Sec. 7). 

• Establishes punishments for breaches of this act including fines of not more than $5,000 or double the amount of the contribution (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Janet Mills

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that prohibits campaign spending by foreign governments and establishes and anti-corruption amendment to the state constitution.

Highlights:

• Defines terms related Elections in the state of Maine (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits a foreign government from making indirectly or directly a contribution, expenditure or other means for support to influence the nomination of a candidate or the approval of a referendum (Sec. 2). 

• Prohibits individuals from seeking out donations or contributions from foreign governments in Maine (Sec. 3). 

• Specifies that a person may not solicit contributions for another person or campaign from a foreign government (Sec. 4)

• Specifies that a person may not assist in the evasion of requirements (Sec. 5). 

• Specifies that any foreign government sponsored communication not banned by this act must contain the words “Sponsored by” next to the name of the foreign government that sponsored the communication (Sec. 6). 

• Requires each media company to establish due diligence practices for dealing with communications from foreign governments  (Sec. 7). 

• Establishes punishments for breaches of this act including fines of not more than $5,000 or double the amount of the contribution (Sec. 8).