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

This section establishes key definitions for terms used throughout the new subsection. It broadly defines 'donation' to include gifts, loans, advances, or anything of value, whether direct or indirect, and also covers compensation for services rendered without charge. It explicitly excludes volunteer services. Crucially, it defines 'Presidential Library or Center' to include not only traditional archival depositories but also any affiliated private museum, foundation, or center established after the individual's first presidential campaign, designed to commemorate their legacy. It also defines 'Federal contractor,' 'foreign national,' '501(c)(3) tax exempt organization,' 'registered agent of a foreign principal,' and 'registered lobbyist' by referencing existing federal law and regulations.

This provision makes it unlawful for a Presidential Library or Center (or its officers/employees, or the Archivist) to solicit or accept donations, and for individuals to make donations, if the President for whom the library is established is currently serving or has been elected, and the donor is not a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Specifically, it prohibits donations from registered lobbyists, registered agents of foreign principals, federal contractors, foreign nationals, or individuals seeking or having received a presidential pardon. This applies to both direct and indirect donations and promises to donate.

This provision establishes a two-year 'cooling off' period after a President leaves office. During this period, Presidential Libraries and Centers (and their staff/Archivist) are prohibited from soliciting or accepting, and individuals are prohibited from making, donations from the same categories of restricted donors (registered lobbyists, foreign nationals, federal contractors, pardon seekers) that were prohibited during the President's term. This aims to extend the period during which potential influence peddling could occur, acknowledging that a former President still holds significant sway.

This provision explicitly makes it unlawful for any person, at any time, to convert a donation to a Presidential Library or Center for personal use. It clarifies that 'personal use' includes using any part of the donation to fulfill a commitment, obligation, or expense that would exist irrespective of the responsibilities of the Presidential Library or Center. This aims to prevent the misuse of charitable funds for private benefit.

This provision establishes an aggregate limit of $10,000 on donations any single person can make to a Presidential Library or Center. This limit applies during a specific period: from the date the individual is elected President until one year after they cease serving in office. The bill also includes a mechanism to index this $10,000 limit for inflation, adjusting it every four years based on the Federal Election Campaign Act's indexing formula, rounded to the nearest $1,000.

This provision mandates that Presidential Libraries and Centers file quarterly reports with the Archivist, disclosing donations of $200 or more from 'covered persons' (those who donate $200+ in a quarter). These reports must include the amount, date, donor's name, address, employer, and occupation (if individual). The covered period for reporting begins when the individual is elected President (or date of enactment for current President) and ends five years after they leave office. It also explicitly makes it unlawful to make or accept donations in the name of another person (straw donors) or to assist in such an act. The Archivist is required to publish these reports online in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable format within 30 days of filing.

This provision outlines the enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violating the new donation rules. The Attorney General (and state attorneys general for civil actions) can bring civil or criminal actions. General civil penalties can be up to $20,000 or the value of the donation, plus disgorgement. Knowing and willful violations can lead to up to 1 year imprisonment and fines under Title 18, plus disgorgement. For violations involving over $50,000 in a calendar year, civil penalties increase to $100,000 or the donation value, and criminal penalties can include up to 5 years imprisonment and Title 18 fines, plus disgorgement. Courts can issue injunctions. A 10-year statute of limitations applies to both civil and criminal actions. Penalties are also indexed for inflation.