Bill Positions

Bill Number: HB 473

Bill Title: Campaign Finance - Affiliated Business Entities - Attributions of Contributions

Bill Sponsor(s): Delegates Bobo, et al.

Subject: Miscellaneous

Committee: W&M

Bill Summary: This bill would attribute campaign contributions from two or more of the following business entities as a single contribution if: (1) one business entity was a wholly-owned subsidiary of another; or (2) the business entities were owned or controlled by at least 80% of the same individuals. The bill defines “business entity” to include a corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, or real estate investment trust.

History: The bill is the same as HB 816 of 2007 and other bills of recent recent years that were opposed by the MD Chamber and died in EHE without a vote. In 2007 the bill died without a vote in the Ways & Means Committee.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The Chamber opposes this bill because it would be impossible to administer and put the business community at a competitive disadvantage. Other interest groups such as unions and nonprofits are not subject to these sanctions.

Position Statement: Click here to download a pdf version of the Maryland Chamber's position statement.

Chamber Staff: Ronald Wineholt

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.