HB138 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Barry Mask

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Campaign contributions, PAC to PAC transfers, prohibited, Campaign Finance Transparency Act, Secs. 17-5-7, 17-5-15 am'd.

Summary

HB138 would largely ban transfers of campaign funds between political committees in Alabama, allowing only a narrow exception for non-principal committees to contribute to principal campaign committees, and would tighten rules against contributions made in someone else’s name.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends sections 17-5-15 and 17-5-7 to stop most transfers between political committees, with a limited exception that non-principal committees may contribute to a principal campaign committee. It criminalizes contributing in the name of another person and prohibit accepting such contributions, with a narrow allowance for soliciting funds for reportable campaign expenditures. It also lays out how campaign funds may be used (e.g., ordinary campaign costs, duties of the office, certain donations) and sets limits on when contributions can be accepted before and after elections, including rules about legislative sessions and election-related debts or challenges.

Who It Affects

• Political committees in Alabama (principal campaign committees and other PACs) — transfers between committees are largely prohibited, with a specific exception allowing non-principal committees to contribute to principal campaign committees.
• Donors and recipients of campaign funds — it becomes unlawful to make or accept contributions in another person’s name (straw donations) with limited exceptions for certain expenditures.
• Candidates and public officials and their committees — new rules limit how campaign funds may be used, tighten pre- and post-election contribution timing, and impose restrictions during legislative sessions.
• Election regulators and reporting entities — broader rules about disclosure and compliance for contributions and expenditures to align with the Campaign Finance Transparency Act.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits transfers of campaign funds between political committees, with an exception that a non-principal committee may contribute to a principal campaign committee.
• Makes it unlawful to make or accept a contribution in the name of another person or to knowingly permit such use, with a limited exception for soliciting and receiving funds for reportable expenditures.
• Allows campaign funds to be used for necessary and ordinary campaign expenditures, expenditures related to duties of office, and certain donations, while limiting transfers to other committees to the specified exception.
• Imposes pre-election contribution rules: contributions may be made only to influence election outcomes or within 12 months before an election, with additional timing exceptions related to legislative sessions and special elections; state office candidates face additional session-related restrictions.
• Allows certain post-election and challenge-related uses of funds (e.g., paying campaign debts, election challenge expenses) and inaugurals or transitional expenses as described.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections