Texas Bill Targeting Noncitizen Political Contributions Gains Traction
AUSTIN—Legislation addressing noncitizen political contributions in Texas was advanced by a legislative committee on Monday. House Bill 4312, introduced by Rep. Dennis Paul (R-Houston), aims to make it a class A misdemeanor for anyone who is not a U.S. citizen to knowingly donate to local, state, or federal elections in Texas. Violators could face fines up to $4,000, a year in jail, or both.
While federal law already prohibits foreign nationals from donating to elections, Paul argued that enforcement is infrequent and often limited to national races. His bill aspires to solidify Texas’ authority to monitor and penalize violations, particularly in local contests where scrutiny is often lacking. “This applies to every level of government,” Paul stated, emphasizing that the bill is designed to minimize foreign influence over Texas politics.
Support for the bill extends beyond Paul; it echoes sentiments from members of the State Republican Executive Committee. Daniel Hunt stressed the need for unwavering Texan control over election outcomes from city councils to gubernatorial races. However, some legislators expressed concerns about practical enforcement. Rep. Dade Phelan raised questions about the feasibility of verifying the citizenship status of numerous small donors.
Opposition has emerged, with critics arguing the bill creates legal conflicts with federal law. Krystal Gómez, an attorney for the Texas Immigration Law Council, pointed out that lawful permanent residents, who contribute to society and are vetted, should not be classified alongside foreign nationals. Luis Figueroa of Every Texan cautioned against the bill unless it includes exceptions for green card holders.
The committee could vote on the proposal as soon as Wednesday, marking a pivotal moment in Texas election policy.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
