SB 177 passed out of committee and is now headed to House Rules. We have one week to stop this bill that could shut down civil rights and advocacy organizations without due process.

The bill sponsors claim that the purpose is to increase transparency about the source of campaign contributions coming from “hostile foreign countries,” defined as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. However, broad language in the bill, and the sponsor’s own testimony, confirm that this bill is a means to shut down groups that politically organize around contentious issues–like the genocide in Palestine.

If made into law, this bill would grant the Attorney General and the State Ethics Commission unilateral discretion to investigate, penalize, and criminalize grassroots advocacy organizations for their political advocacy. The broad definitions used in the bill could be used to target civil rights organizations, student activist groups, and labor unions. By giving the Attorney General the authority to initiate these types of criminal investigations, SB 177 will silence opposition through intimidation and fear.