SB345 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Del MarshGreg J. ReedDick BrewbakerPaul BussmanPhillip W. WilliamsClay ScofieldBryan Taylor

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Elections, corruption of, acceptance or solicitation of contributions from illegal activity, crime established, penalties, Sec. 13A-10-64 added

Summary

SB345 would create the crime of corruption of an election, making it a Class C felony to solicit or accept campaign contributions tied to illegal activity.

What This Bill Does

Creates the crime of corruption of an election. A person commits it if they knowingly offer, make, solicit, coordinate, facilitate, structure, or authorize a contribution to any candidate, public official, or PAC from the proceeds of illegal activity, or if they solicit or accept a contribution knowing it is paid from illegal activity. The offense is a Class C felony. The bill is treated as exempt from certain local-funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Candidates for public office and public officials could be charged if they solicit or accept campaign contributions tied to illegal activity.
• Political action committees (PACs) and other people who solicit, accept, or provide tainted contributions could be prosecuted under this new crime.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 13A-10-64 to create the crime of corruption of an election.
• Defines 'contribution' using the existing definition and specifies two ways the crime can be committed: by knowingly offering or soliciting tainted contributions from illegal activity, or by soliciting or accepting contributions known to be from illegal activity.
• Classifies corruption of an election as a Class C felony.
• Notes the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it creates a new crime, and sets the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections