HB 793 Missouri House · 2025 Regular Session

Modifies provisions for foreign influence on ballot measures

HB 793 updates rules for ballot measure petitions to prevent foreign influence. It requires petitioners to certify that no prohibited (foreign) funds were used in gathering signatures and that they will not accept contributions from such sources. The bill also mandates detailed record-keeping for all contributions and expenditures - including donor affirmations confirming they are not foreign nationals and haven't received over $100,000 from prohibited sources in the past four years. These changes apply to all committees and individuals gathering signatures for ballot measures, including requirements for segregated records and three-year retention of financial documents.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Apr 2, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → House Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change its focus from repealing three sections of campaign finance law to repealing only one section (130.011), while adding eight new sections instead of four. The new version expands the definition of 'candidate' to include individuals who seek office through various means and establishes clearer rules about when someone becomes a candidate. The bill also reorganizes the section numbers and adds detailed definitions for terms like 'appropriate officer', 'ballot measure', 'cash', 'check', and 'closing date'.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from affecting three existing sections to affecting only one section, but with eight new sections replacing them. The applicability now includes a broader definition of who counts as a candidate and more detailed reporting requirements.

SCOPE

Changed from repealing three sections (116.100, 130.036, 130.041) to repealing only one section (130.011), while adding eight new sections instead of four.

DEFINITION

Added comprehensive definitions for key terms including 'candidate', 'appropriate officer', 'ballot measure', 'cash', 'check', 'closing date', and 'committee' with specific exclusions and thresholds.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded the definition of 'candidate' to include individuals who receive contributions, make expenditures, or reserve space with intent to promote candidacy, even before formally announcing their candidacy.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for candidates to file statements disavowing candidacy within five days (or one day if election is within five days) if they learn of campaign activities they didn't intend to pursue.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill classification from 'Introduced' to 'House Committee Substitute' and updated the section number from 1745H.02I to 1745H.04C.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 6 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 1

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

Referred: Rules - Legislative(H)

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 7 NOES: 3 PRESENT: 0

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Referred: Elections(H)

lower

Jan 8, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Read First Time (H)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors