Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 216

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

Bill Sponsor(s): Senators Frosh, et al.

Subject: Miscellaneous

Committee: EHE

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 SB 245 of 2008 and other bills of recent recent years that were opposed by the MD Chamber and died in EHE without a vote. In 2009 SB 157 again died in the committee without a vote.

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 relative to other interest groups such as unions and nonprofits.

Position Statement: To view the Chamber's complete position statement, click here (pdf).

Chamber Staff: Ronald Wineholt

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