A bill for an act relating to campaign finance, including participation in ballot issue campaigns by foreign nationals and investigations of election misconduct, and making penalties applicable.

HF 2044 strengthens Iowa's campaign finance rules by prohibiting foreign nationals from influencing ballot issue campaigns (like voter referendums). It defines "foreign national" broadly to include non-U.S. citizens, foreign governments, and U.S. entities controlled by foreign entities, and requires political committees to verify through written affirmations that donors are not foreign nationals and have not accepted over $100,000 in foreign funds in the past four years. The bill also bans foreign nationals from directing campaign decisions or soliciting contributions for ballot issues, with violations subject to investigation by Iowa's ethics board. These provisions directly affect political committees, donors, and campaign treasurers involved in ballot measure campaigns.