Pennsylvania House Bill 497 bans foreign-influenced corporations from political contributions and spending

Original title: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, providing for corporate political contributions; and imposing penalties.

Last action · June 18, 2026: Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, June 18, 2026Sponsors: Joe Webster and 22 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Pennsylvania House Bill 497 prohibits s from making political contributions, s, or donations intended for election-related purposes, and requires a signed compliance certification for corporate political contributions. The measure takes effect in 60 days.

Why it matters

The measure establishes civil and criminal penalties for corporate officers and entities that violate the restrictions, alters compliance reporting requirements for corporations making political expenditures, and grants prosecutorial jurisdiction to the Attorney General and district attorneys.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Foreign-influenced corporations

Prohibited from making political contributions, independent expenditures, and ballot question donations.

Directly affected

Corporate chief executive officers

Required to sign compliance certifications under penalty of perjury and subject to civil and criminal penalties for violations.

Directly affected

Department of State

Receives compliance certifications and is authorized to impose civil penalties for violations.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines a foreign-influenced corporation under this bill?

A corporation is foreign-influenced if a single foreign investor owns 1% or more of its equity, multiple foreign investors own 5% or more in aggregate, or a foreign investor participates in the corporation's U.S. political decision-making process.

What must a corporation do when making a political contribution?

The corporation must submit a certification to the Department of State within seven business days signed by its chief executive officer under penalty of perjury stating that the corporation was not a at the time of the contribution.

Does this bill ban normal corporate advertising by news outlets?

No, the legislation explicitly states it does not prohibit the publication or broadcasting of news items or editorial comments by the news media.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

11 actions

Jun 18, 2026SenateCommittee
Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, June 18, 2026
Jun 18, 2026Senate
In the Senate
Jun 9, 2026HouseFloor
Third consideration and final passage, June 9, 2026 (146-56)
Jun 9, 2026HouseCommittee
Re-reported as committed, June 9, 2026
Jun 8, 2026House
Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 8, 2026
Jun 8, 2026HouseFloor
Second consideration, June 8, 2026

Show 5 earlier actions

Jun 3, 2026House
Removed from table, June 3, 2026
May 5, 2026House
Laid on the table, May 5, 2026
May 5, 2026HouseIntroduced
First consideration, May 5, 2026
May 5, 2026HouseCommittee
Reported as committed, May 5, 2026
Feb 5, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, Feb. 5, 2025

Version history

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