Amend section 2112 of title 44, United States Code, to appropriately limit donations to Presidential Libraries and Centers.

This bill sets strict rules on who can give money or gifts to Presidential Libraries and Centers, and requires public reporting. While a person is President, these libraries cannot accept donations from lobbyists, foreign agents, federal contractors, foreign nationals, people seeking or who got a pardon from that President, or anyone who is not a registered 501(c)(3) charity. The same people are also blocked from making those donations. For two years after the President leaves office, those banned groups still cannot donate. It also bans using a donation for anyone’s personal expenses and forbids giving in someone else’s name. Donations include money and in-kind support, like paying for staff time.

There is a $10,000 per-person cap on total donations from the election through one year after the President leaves office. Libraries must file public, quarterly reports of donors who give $200 or more, and the National Archives must post those reports online in a searchable format. The Attorney General and state attorneys general can enforce these rules. Penalties include civil fines, giving back illegal donations, and possible jail time, with tougher penalties for violations over $50,000. Some amounts are adjusted over time for inflation.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Presidential Libraries/Centers; donors including charities, lobbyists, foreign agents, federal contractors, foreign nationals, and pardon seekers.
• What changes: Bans certain donors; $10,000 cap per person; no personal use of donations; no donations in someone else’s name; quarterly public reports of donors giving $200+; strong enforcement and penalties.
• When: Rules apply while the person is President; some limits last two years after; reporting lasts five years after leaving office.