Senate Bill 2608

AN ACT TO LIMIT POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY CORPORATIONS TO $1,000.00 PER CALENDAR YEAR; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF CORPORATE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION RESTRICTIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL COMPEL THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO BRING FORTH ACTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF CORPORATE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION RESTRICTIONS; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 97-13-15 AND 97-13-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROHIBITED POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY CORPORATIONS AND PENALIZED ILLEGAL CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) It shall be unlawful for any corporation, incorporated company or incorporated association, by whatever name it may be known, incorporated or organized under the laws of this state or any state, or for any servant, agent, employee or officer thereof, to give, donate, appropriate or furnish directly or indirectly, any money, security, funds or property of said corporation, incorporated company or incorporated association, in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per calendar year for the purpose of aiding any political party or any candidate for any public office, or any candidate for any nomination for any public office of any political party, or to give, donate, appropriate or furnish, directly or indirectly, any money, security, funds or property of said corporation, incorporated company or association in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) to any committee or person as a contribution to the expense of any political party or any candidate, representative or committee of any political party or candidate for nomination by any political party, or any committee or other person acting in behalf of such candidate. The limit of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for contributions to political parties, candidates and committees or other persons acting on behalf of such candidates shall be an annual limitation applicable to each calendar year.

(2) Any candidate committee, or political party which accepts contributions from any corporation, incorporated company or incorporated association, or agent, officer or employee violating any of the provisions of this section, shall be assessed a civil penalty for each day or part of any day beginning with the sixth calendar day until the unlawful contribution is returned, up to a maximum of ten (10) days in the amount of the contribution in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and up:

(a) Candidates for statewide office shall be assessed a civil penalty of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each day.

(b) Candidates for state district office shall be assessed a civil penalty of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for each day.

(d) Political committees shall be assessed a civil penalty of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each day.

(3) The candidate committee or political party shall not be assessed a fine if the receiving entity returns the unlawful donation within five (5) business days of receipt. Return date shall be the date of mailing or electronic transfer of funds.

(4) The candidate shall be personally liable for the payment of the civil penalty assessment for nonjudicial candidates. The treasurer of any judicial candidate's authorized political committee shall be liable, and the chairman and treasurer of a political committee shall be jointly liable for any unlawful contributions.

(5) The candidate, candidate committee or political party shall not expend any contribution in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) if received in violation of this section. Any candidate or any other person who willfully violates the provisions and prohibitions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine in a sum not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or imprisoned for not longer than six (6) months, or by both fine and imprisonment.

(6) The Attorney General shall bring such action at the request of the Secretary of State, and shall also take legal action as necessary for the collection of any levied assessments.

SECTION 2. Section 1 shall be codified in Title 23, Chapter 15, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. Sections 97-13-15 and 97-13-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, which prohibited political contributions by corporations and penalized illegal corporate contributions, are repealed.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.