PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The Maine Legislature is deciding whether to stop foreign corporations from spending money to influence state elections.

The bill that had a public hearing Wednesday came in response to Hydro Quebec’s spending in support of a power transmission corridor to bring hydropower from Quebec through Maine to the new power grid. The company has spent thousands of dollars in support of the project, which is now subject to a state referendum.

The bill’s sponsor says foreign money is currently barred from federal elections and from state elections involving candidates, but there’s no such prohibition on foreign spending in state ballot questions.