Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0719 – Out-of-State Campaign Contribution Ban
Bill Summary
House Bill 719 amends Idaho Code Section 67-6610D to prohibit out-of-state persons from making contributions or independent expenditures to any Idaho candidate, political committee, or ballot measure. The bill defines “out-of-state person” as individuals who are not legal residents of Idaho (U.S. citizens residing in Idaho for at least 30 days) or entities organized under another state’s laws without a physical office in Idaho.
The bill also modifies the definition of “foreign national” by removing the exception for lawful permanent residents, thereby expanding the foreign contribution ban to include green card holders. Violations exceeding $1,000 in a 12-month period or second offenses within 10 years constitute felonies under existing penalty provisions. The legislation includes an emergency clause making it effective July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill prohibits all out-of-state individuals and entities from contributing to Idaho campaigns or making independent expenditures, restricting political participation to Idaho residents who have lived in the state for at least 30 days. The ban extends to national organizations, multi-state corporations, and out-of-state U.S. citizens, significantly limiting who can financially support Idaho candidates and ballot measures. Additionally, the bill expands the foreign national ban to include lawful permanent residents by removing their previous exemption from contribution restrictions.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill restricts campaign contributions and independent expenditures from out-of-state sources but does not address the metric's core concerns of fiscal responsibility, taxation, government spending, or opposition to the National Popular Vote Compact. While it affects election administration, the connection to protecting Idaho's electoral sovereignty from federal interference or interstate compacts is indirect and speculative.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill creates competing effects on citizen involvement. It prohibits out-of-state U.S. citizens from contributing to Idaho elections, restricting broader citizen participation in the political process. However, proponents could argue it protects Idaho residents' control over their own elections by limiting external influence. The net effect balances these opposing considerations without clearly advancing or undermining the metric's emphasis on citizen engagement.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
The bill addresses campaign finance restrictions and does not engage with education policy, parental rights, school choice, curriculum standards, or education funding. There is no connection between out-of-state contribution bans and the educational priorities outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill concerns campaign finance law and does not address agricultural policy, farming, ranching, water rights for agriculture, or agricultural education. The restrictions on political contributions have no direct bearing on Idaho's agricultural industry or related policy areas.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill regulates political contributions and independent expenditures without addressing water rights, water management, prior appropriation doctrine, or Idaho's sovereignty over water resources. Campaign finance restrictions do not intersect with water policy concerns.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill focuses exclusively on campaign finance prohibitions and does not address environmental stewardship, natural resource utilization, federal environmental regulations, or land management. There is no connection between the contribution ban and environmental policy.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill restricts out-of-state political contributions but does not address energy independence, energy resource development, electrical rates, or energy policy. Campaign finance law operates in a separate policy domain from energy concerns.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill amends campaign finance law without addressing the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, energy technology development, or related research and development activities. There is no intersection between contribution restrictions and INL policy.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill regulates political spending and does not address private property rights, eminent domain, regulatory takings, or Fifth Amendment protections. Campaign finance restrictions do not implicate property rights concerns outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill concerns campaign contributions and independent expenditures without addressing federal land management, state sovereignty over lands, or Idaho's role in administering public lands. There is no connection to land policy issues.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill amends campaign finance law and does not address fish and wildlife management, hunting and fishing access, predator control, or recreational use of public lands. Wildlife management policy is unaffected by contribution restrictions.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The bill prohibits out-of-state entities without Idaho offices from making political contributions but does not directly address economic growth, commerce, small business regulation, labor policy, or transportation infrastructure. While the restrictions could indirectly affect business participation in Idaho politics, the bill does not engage with the economic policy priorities outlined in this metric.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill addresses campaign finance restrictions without engaging healthcare delivery, health insurance, patient rights, medical decision-making, or welfare programs. There is no connection between contribution bans and health and welfare policy.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill regulates political contributions and does not address traditional family values, marriage, right to life, abortion policy, or children's welfare. Campaign finance law operates separately from family policy concerns.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill concerns campaign finance prohibitions without addressing policies affecting older Americans, senior services, retirement, or penalties on seniors who work. There is no connection to issues affecting older Idahoans.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill maintains existing felony penalties for campaign finance violations exceeding $1,000 or for second offenses but does not address criminal justice reform, gun rights, death penalty, drug policy, incarceration, or law enforcement. While it includes criminal penalties, these apply narrowly to campaign finance violations rather than the broader law and order priorities in this metric.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill prohibits foreign nationals and out-of-state persons from making political contributions but does not address military strength, veterans' issues, border security, National Guard deployment, or national defense policy. The foreign national ban relates to election integrity rather than border security or defense concerns.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill restricts contributions to candidates, political committees, and ballot measures but does not specifically address judicial elections, judicial selection processes, or constitutional interpretation principles. While it affects elections generally, this metric focuses specifically on judicial elections and related reforms.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill regulates campaign finance without addressing religious freedom, free exercise of religion, conscience protections, or government interference in religious practices. There is no connection between contribution restrictions and religious liberty concerns.