Banning Foreign-backed spending on State Ballot Issues

HB 4522 requires non-government entities providing funds or services for West Virginia election administration (such as ballot initiatives) to certify to the Secretary of State whether they knowingly receive foreign donations. This affects organizations or individuals funding state ballot measures, not voters or candidates. The bill mandates annual certification updates within five business days of new information, with penalties including fines of three times the donation amount for false or late filings, and invalidates agreements for non-compliance. It also requires government entities to submit quarterly reports on such funding and mandates public posting of certifications on the Secretary of State’s website.