Creates new provisions relating to elections
Summary
SCS/SB 896 - The act creates new provisions relating to funds used for election administration. Specifically, government entities, as that term is defined in the act, are prohibited from soliciting, accepting, or using any funds or in-kind goods or services for election administration if those funds or in-kind goods or services are donated directly or indirectly by any person other than a government entity. An election officer may, however, solicit, accept, or use funds or in-kind goods or services of de minimis value. Government entities are additionally prohibited from being members of or participate in programs run by organizations that engage in election administration and receive foreign funding. Except as otherwise provided in the act, a government entity or election officer shall not join the membership of any entity, participate in any program, or purchase any services from any entity if such membership, program, or service relates to the administration of elections unless the entity complies with certain certification requirements as described in the act. An election officer who, in his or her private capacity, joins or considers joining the membership of a person, or participates or considers participating in any program described above shall disclose his or her participation or membership, or potential participation or membership, and have the participation or potential participation or membership considered in a public hearing, and disclosed on his or her public website as provided by this act. Violation of these provisions is a class B misdemeanor. Moreover, any registered voter in the state is permitted to bring a cause of action to enforce this act. The act preempts any local law in conflict with this act. This act is substantially similar to HB 2381 (2026), certain provisions in HB 3263 (2026), and HCS/HB 794 (2025). SCOTT SVAGERA
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 1, 2025
Last action May 15, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
5016S.01I - Introduced
→
5016S.02C - Senate Committee Substitute
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to clarify the rules governing election officers' private memberships and program participation. The changes add specific exceptions allowing officers to join organizations if they have decision-making authority, require a new certification confirming the absence of foreign funding, and mandate that disclosure statements on public websites include a link to all resources received from these organizations.
Scope change
The scope of applicability was narrowed by adding an exception for election officers who hold decision-making authority in their private roles, while simultaneously expanding the disclosure requirements to include a link to all resources received.
ELIGIBILITY
Added an exception allowing election officers to join organizations or programs if they possess decision-making authority relating to election administration.
REQUIREMENT
Modified the certification requirements to explicitly state that paying membership dues or registration fees is not considered a foreign donation.
Added a requirement for the public disclosure statement to include a link to an electronic document listing all resources or documents received by the election officer from the organization or program.
Modified the language regarding program participation to clarify that it applies to activities relating to the administration of elections.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from S Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee w/SCS
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
SCS Voted Do Pass S Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee (5016S.02C)
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Hearing Conducted S Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee
upper
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
Prefiled
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Ben Brown
RRepublican
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