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H.R. 988House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Shell Company Abuse Act

Sponsored by Colin Z. AllredRep. Colin Z. Allred (D-TX)
Introduced February 14, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 3:37 AM UTC

The Shell Company Abuse Act would add a new criminal offense to Title 18, making it illegal for anyone who creates or uses a corporation to hide election contributions or donations from foreign nationals. It targets owners, officers, attorneys, and incorporation agents who set up such shell companies. Violations could result in up to five years in prison, fines, or both, and the law applies to any entity used for this purpose.

Key Provisions

  • Prohibits owners, officers, attorneys, or incorporation agents from establishing or using a corporation to conceal prohibited election contributions or donations by foreign nationals.
  • Adds Section 612 to Chapter 29 of Title 18 to define this offense.
  • Sets penalties of up to five years imprisonment, fines, or both for anyone who violates the prohibition.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

February 14, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 14, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

February 14, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 14, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 988

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 14, 2023

Mr. Allred (for himself and Mr. Crow) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the establishment of a corporation to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign nationals.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Shell Company Abuse Act.

2.

Prohibition

(a)

In general

Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

612.

Establishment of corporation to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign nationals

(a)

Offense

It shall be unlawful for an owner, officer, attorney, or incorporation agent of a corporation, company, or other entity to establish or use the corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an activity of a foreign national (as defined in section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30121)) prohibited under such section 319.

(b)

Penalty

Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined under this title, or both.

.

(b)

Table of sections

The table of sections for chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 611 the following:

612. Establishment of corporation to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign nationals.

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